Question

How do historical, social, political, economic, cultural and global forces have a play in racism?

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) Since racism is not an individual problem, it would be essential to look at it as a ‘group-behaviour’. Social conformity is what influences group behaviour. Since no child is born a racist, one can say with absolution that racism is ingrained as an individual grows up in society. In such a case, “Normative Social Influence”, NSI theory can be applied. This is when an individual is influenced by other people to act a certain way in order to fit in. By applying this political psychology theory, we are able to better understand the origins of racism.

Things like forceful action by an authority figure or even crime policy aren’t the work of a single person, but a precinct of officials. Then how do public officials and politicians have the same attitude towards a particular race? This is because the “bystander effect” takes place. This is when an individual (or an official) observes the behaviour of another bystander (his/her fellow official) and notices their behaviour towards a particular race. When their behaviour is noticed, they make judgements and reckon that it is probably the appropriate behaviour and decide to behave in a similar manner henceforth. This political psychological theory helps us understand how racial prejudices have an effect on Americans’ political attitude.

This is how political and social structures affect the racist attitude of individuals. Furthermore, when one might take a look at the economic structure of the society, it is easy to find gate-communities that exist to cater to the rich and privileged individuals of the society. These communities are observed in the form of elite charter schools, expensive neighbourhoods and such social structures that are cleverly designed to admit the richer individuals of society. This is when the culture and the social structure affects our sense of inclusion.

Racism towards several groups has been highlighted in global history through subjugation, civil wars, genocide and other terrible atrocities. A correct awareness of this history should help us look back at the shameful past in human history with a view to not repeat such occurrences. Sadly, an imperialist and supremacist seem to be raising it vile standards in nations across the globe.

It is up to the current generation to take charge of the future in order to make it as harmonious as possible. This can be done by recognising patterns of prejudice that exist in economics, politics, popular culture and in the society as a whole. Such recognition of prejudice might just help sieve out the morbid attitudes to replace them with egalitarian morals.