RACISM

RACISM

Racism is a word that can be defined in many different ways to people. Racism involves the belief in racial differences, which acts as a justification for non-equal treatment (which some regard as discrimination) of members of that race. The term is commonly used negatively and is usually associated with race based prejudice, violence, dislike, discrimination, or oppression, the term can also have varying and contested definitions. Racialism is a related term, sometimes intended to avoid these negative meanings.  

The first of types of racism is racial discrimination. Racial discrimination refers to the separation of people through a process of social division into categories not necessarily related to races for purposes of differential treatment .The second is institutional racism, institutional racism also known as structural racism, state racism or systemic racism is racial discrimination by governments, corporations, religions, or educational institutions or other large organizations with the power to influence the lives of many individuals .The lastly of types of racism is historical economic, historical economic or social disparity is alleged to be a form of discrimination caused by past racism and historical reasons, affecting the present generation through deficits in the formal education and kinds of preparation in previous generation, and through primarily unconscious racist attitudes and actions on members of the general population. 

One of the most common causes of racism is stereotypes. Through television, through radio, through the internet, through music, through books, and the like, the potential for stereo types to build are a definite possibility. When a person, especially one that is very young, is exposed to stereotypes of a specific group for the first time, then that person will assume all are that way. Likewise, when a source is constantly displaying negative things about a particular race, then that will affect the overall opinions as well. Another very common, and probably the most common cause of racism is unfamiliarity. People fear what they do not know or understand. If someone hasn't grown up around a particular race before, then there is more of a chance the person can be racist toward that particular group. Not all the time, but when the person has already been fed negative stereotypes, and does not have the actual real life experiences with at least one within the particular group, then the chances of racism are increased. This is why it is important for children to be around other races at a young age: to ensure they get their minds used and adapted to being around them, and also to help counterbalance any false stereotypes they may encounter in the future. Selfishness is another obvious cause of racism. Humans are sometimes very selfish creatures caring only about their own at the expense of others. If individuals aren't taught how to respect others, then the potential for the person to become racist is increased as   well. This is why you will find that most caring individuals aren't racist. The lastly and probably the most surprising cause of racism is environmental causes. We are all made different biologically and genetically. Our physical environment can affect our biology and therefore, in many cases, affect our minds. This does not mean freewill and choice are not options, but that an individual's potential for racism could possibly be increased through certain environmental factors unknown to man. By default, racism is nonexistent. However, things such as improper health maintenance, excess chemicals, head injuries, or other factors may help contribute to it. 

Racism can have a lot of effects on the victim. It can make them angry, bitter or violent. It can destroy self esteem and create a horrifying defeatist nature. It destroys community cohesion and creates divisions in society. Having somebody discriminate against you because of the way you look is an ugly thing. Knowing you can’t change your physical appearance is a hard thing to accept. Nobody should ever change them self for another. Being truly happy with yourself is a very powerful thing, it makes us more resilient. After that, it can become depressed, anxious and mentally unwell. It can destroy self esteem and create a horrifying defeatist nature because racism. Then, racism can destroyed community cohesion and creates division in society. 

The origins of racism can be found in the annals of history. For example, a Jew may claim that racism started with the expulsion of the Jews from Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE. Racism originated from the European colonisation of Africa and the engagement with the slave trade. Islam was not revealed for a specific set of people or for a specific period of time, it is able to answer this question in a truly objective manner. Before the creation of man, Allah the Most High, had already created the Angels and the Jinn. Amongst the Angels at that time was a Jin by the name of Iblis. Iblis had resided amongst the Angels and was very obedient to Allah. However, this was to change, as Allah then created man. This new creation of Allah was created from clay and named Adam.The Qur'an informs us of this important event, from which we may all learn a valuable lesson:"And (remember) when we said to the Angels: 'Prostrate yourselves to Adam', and they all prostrated except Iblis. He refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers"(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:34) and "(Allah) said: 'What prevented you (Iblis) that you did not prostrate?' Iblis said; 'I am better then him, you created me from fire and you created him from clay'. 

The manifestation of racism is ever since Iblis's refusal to bow down to Adam, the world has seen an increase in racism. With Judaism, a person cannot become a Jew unless he is born from a Jewish mother. This then means that all non-Jews cannot enter Paradise, simply because they were not born into this faith. With Hinduism, not only does it degrade the Creator by representing him as a monkey, rat, cow, elephant and even the male private organ, but it has also created one of the world most ancient forms of racism the caste system. Christianity, have often been used to justify racist ventures. During the age of exploration the European powers used Christianity to justify their own imperial ambitions. It is not only religion which has been gripped by this disease, but also science. By the 19th century the Western world had rejected religion and was looking towards science to provide the answers for our existence. Charles Darwin's theory of Evolution, the theory espoused that man evolved from apes. 

Islam opposes racism because racist claim ends in countless wars, killings, and ethnic cleansing whereas, as we have seen the Qur'an teaches that superiority does not lie in race, colour or any other feature, but in closeness to God and living by faith and morals. God has divided people into different races and ethnic groups so that they can get to know one another and live in peace, brotherhood and tolerance. The Qur'an states this truth: Mankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you might come to know each other. The noblest among you in God's sight is that one of you who best performs his duty. God is All-Knowing, All Aware (The Qur'an , 49:13).In another holy verse, God describes racism as the "fanatical rage of the Time of Ignorance", and reveals to believers that He will protect them against this provocative ideology: Those who disbelieve filled their hearts with fanatical rage - the fanatical rage of the Time of Ignorance - and God sent down serenity to His Messenger and to the believers, and obliged them to respect the formula of heedfulness which they had most right to and were most entitled to. God has knowledge of all things. (The Qur'an , 48:26) 

(Surah 49 Al-Hujurat: Ayat 13) 

Islam supports peace and conformity because another point where religion parts ways with fascism is the Qur'ans recommendation of peace and compromise. The Qur'an views all of these things as cruelty, and God disapproves of them. On the contrary, God commands people to live according to what is good and with good relations between each other. There is no good in much of their secret talk, except in the case of those who enjoin charity, or what is right, or putting things right between people. If anyone does that, seeking the pleasure of God, We will give him an immense reward. (The Qur'an, 4:11) 

 

We can see now, many conflicts recent forms of racism with earlier forms of ethnic and national conflict. In most cases ethno national conflicts seems to owe to conflict over land and strategic resources. In some cases ethnicity and nationalism were harnessed to wars between great religious empires for example, the Muslim Turks and the Catholic Austro-Hungarians. As Benedict Anderson has suggested in Imagined Communities, ethnic identity and ethno nationalism became a source of conflict within such empires with the rise of print capitalism. In Africa at Zimbabwe, there has been increasing racism against the white farmers, due to poverty and lack of land ownership by Africans South Africa until recently suffered from Apartheid, which legally segregated the African population from the Europeans. In Asia at Cambodia, there has been a strong anti-Vietnamese sentiment. In Indonesia, there has been a lot of violence against the affluent Chinese population who have been blamed for economic problems that have plagued the country in recent years.  

Anti-racism included beliefs, actions, movements, and policies adopted or developed to oppose racism. In general, it promotes an egalitarian society in which people are not discriminated against in race. Movements such as the African-American Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-Apartheid movement were examples of anti-racist movements. Nonviolent resistance is sometimes an element of anti-racial movements, although this was not always the case. Hate crime laws and affirmative action are also examples of government policy designed to suppress racism. UNESCO marks March 21 as the yearly International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, in memory of the events that occurred on March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, where police killed student demonstrators peacefully protesting against the apartheid regime.