Discrimination – RacismRacism, the belief that one race possesses inherent traits that make that particular race superior, or racial prejudice.
Discrimination has always been an issue globally, and within our nation. While it was more commonly accepted and practiced decades ago, it is still quite prominent in the hearts of many people worldwide and is demonstrated through their behavior. It was common practice to keep slaves, or people who submit entirely to another’s will, for work, and other duties. Slaveholding was allowed in the United States until 1865, when Amendment XIII was ratified. The date June 19th, 1865 is when the last slaves were said to be freed. Human Rights are basic fundamental rights, such as freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, or execution, which should be granted to all peoples.
Civil Rights are mainly nonpolitical rights, such as personal liberties, that are included in the amendments to the US Constitution. Segregation is the separation of different races/groups in living arrangement, social situations, and educational facilities, or other areas open for discrimination. The United States made the first step towards desegregation in 1954 with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Brown v. the Board of Education. That case overturned the previous pro-segregation decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, and stated that separate but equal educational facilities were not, in fact, equal, and ordered desegregation of all public schools.
This step forward motivated more African Americans to fight for their civil rights. Regardless of any actions, any laws, written, spoken, or left unsaid, a mark has been made in the minds of all people, whether their ancestors were enslaved, or slave owners, rich, poor, racist, or civil rights activist, as a result of what has taken place in the past. People still consciously and unconsciously are racist, make race related comments, and stereotype based on nationality, religion, skin color, sexual affiliation, and gender, this is generally not a good thing. As all people are entitled to their own ideas or opinions, that being a civil right, I cannot say that racism is wrong entirely, but when people are being discriminated against, harassed, or having their rights violated, that is wrong.
If someone feels the need to be racist, that’s fine, just keep those ideas in your head, or go ahead and use your right to peaceably assemble, wear swastikas, white robes and pointed caps, and talk about how much you don’t like that other guy. Usually everything a person might like or dislike, about someone or something, is connected or related somehow to something they like or dislike about themselves. Maybe the KKK hates blacks because they are afraid of the strength or some African Americans, for fear they will be more efficient at a job, and thereby take away their chance as a weaker white person to get it. Sometimes fears are irrational, and I think racism is a good example of an ignorant, or somewhat weak, mentally, physically, or emotionally person, trying to rationalize their inner-fear of their incapability, by pushing it onto someone else. I think a good way for everyone to get along in a diverse world be for everyone to treat others, as they would like to be treated. People generally don’t like to be hurt, stereotyped, left out, called names.
If somehow everyone could be confronted with their own actions, and the repercussions, the world would be a better place.
