You are probably in a hotel with a group of workmates after work. You start sharing a story on how you buying a house in western heights with all the anticipation. One of them looks at you and says, hey, are you sure you want to move there, I hear there is a lot of crime, drugs and prostitution. It is a black’s neighborhood and that is probably why. Have you considered the eastern heights? You can fit there better because it is a middle class and full of whites. All this time I am sure there are many questions going through your mind and whatever you hear is overwhelming. Most likely, the only thing you tell that person is to stop thinking in such a mean manner and change the trend. When you reflect on what the person was saying, you realize that many people have the same thinking and there is great need for change. The best way to do that is implementation of racial equality in all the institutions.
Racial prejudice
The encounter at the hotel as illustrated above is a breathtaking instance of racial discrimination. It is illegal to refuse selling property to somebody because of race called redlining is an act of institutionalized discrimination or racism. Distinguishing between racial prejudice and racism is important because the effects are different by issues related to power. They conversely call for different efforts to concentrate on and different participation levels. Many forms of discrimination and oppression not only have basis on race but also on sexual orientation, gender and class. The ideas given for dealing and preventing racial discrimination can also help in preventing other forms of discrimination. This is because the case may not be able to provide all that information but the ideas are the same.
As every body works towards preventing those problems, it is also good to think of encouraging and establishing practices that are inclusive right from the beginning. The best way to do this is imagining that this work has both sides of a coin. Both sides of a coin meaning one side has positives or what you support and the other one negative and definitely what you are against and not in your support. After the imagination, think of building an all-encompassing district and at the same time combating all forms of discrimination in the society.
Racial prejudice is having a discriminative towards other people with the primary basis being ethnicity and skin color. The best example of this is that person in the hotel. The person thinks the black neighborhood is all wrong and involved with all bad things. He discourages people from leaving there and thinks it is insecure. He based everything on ethnicity and skin color.
Whenever there is racial prejudice, racism is present and the two go hand in hand. Instead of taking actions based on hearsay, it is always good to give it a shot and welcome the newcomers to the neighborhood. Incase of any irregularity consult the authorities for action. For example, if there is theft, do not point fingers on the neighbors regardless of their ethnicity or skin color. Doing this will prevent these isms right from local levels.
Since it is clear that racial discrimination will never be over, it is good to be in a position to identify it because it results to unearned privileges and restrictions that are much undeserved. The well-being of a group of people in a community entangled with racism is biased and unless strong will to address it intervenes, the efforts of building a community will not get full potential.
In the United States of America, racial discrimination is very common. This mostly comes from European people towards the ethnic groups such as Latinos and African Americans. Because of shifts in demographic of communities in the United States, there is tension sandwiched between the non-European people groups such as African Americans and Asian Americans. Since the United States of America continues to become more diverse and residents of the world more mobile, all must be prepared to reduce and overcome hostilities caused by physical, technical appearance and traits.
Importance of racism and racial prejudice reduction
There are many reasons for reducing racial discrimination and racism. All reasons are beyond human control but to some extents, the human can help in reduction. The isms prevent human beings from reaching and achieving the full potential in life. Full contribution to the society becomes difficult if there is presence of racism and racial discrimination.
The isms are illegal and this is the most of all reasons for their reduction. They threaten or put a stop to a person’s engagement in racist actions and weaken the community as a whole. Almost all isms feed on each other. For example, if there is no reduction of discrimination, it leads to more racism and vice versa. Strategies to address isms should be methodical and comprehensive so that there can be tangible effect on both character and institutionalized practices.
When one is dealing with racial discrimination and racism, he or she is also dealing with injustice and exclusion of racial. This ensures that community-building efforts promote constitution and democracy. Acting on racism and racial prejudice is moral and legal and, it is not questionable by law. There can be no negative implications on anyone trying to address isms. They harm not only the victim but also the society and the ones engaging in the act and may cause physiological problems. For instance, “Interethnic group and interethnic group racism are noteworthy stressors for many African-Americans. As such, intergroup and intergroup racism may play a role in the high rates of morbidity and mortality in this population." (Clark, Anderson, Williams, 810). Let us all face it that racial prejudice and racism is wrong even if we do not moralize the community toolbox.
Ways to reduce racial prejudice and racism
Changing institutions racist actions is no easy thing of all and it does not happen overnight. One has to be fully prepared to face all attitudes in life while engaging in this reduction process. Reduction of racial discrimination and racism becomes difficult with the view of the fact that they vary from community to community.
One has to understand the community and its interests in order to influence in terms of change. Also knowing about the community’s history, energy, resources and context is important. I bet knowing not all this is as easy as one, 2, 3, 4 or A, B, C, D. Having all this in mind, one will be in a better position to choose which one is best for application in school, hospital, and workplace and so forth.
Things an individual can do in the workplace: From racial prejudice reduction to racism reduction
It is not just enough to have a rainbow of people from all backgrounds but sure, it is a good place to start. Contact all the minority organizations, social places, media and places people gather to collect information. This will ensure that you not biased and in favor of any group. Incase you choose to use the word of mouth as your tool for recruitment, make sure the word is spread across all groups or key contact people like area representatives and administration. It is recommendable you write an equal opportunity guiding principle for hiring and promotion.
In the workplace, it is crucial recruit ethnically and culturally diverse mangers, board, members and executives. Staff comprised of people across all cultures and ethnicities makes it diverse and there is reduction of racism when power sharing is on leadership basis. Individualism should not be anywhere near the workplace the staff should reflect the community it serves. It should be a good example. For instance, if a media company practices racism and racial prejudice, then all the listeners will tend to emulate them and the whole community as well.
Regular meetings and open forums within the workplace ensures that there is consideration of every voice. If every workplace could have a permanent committee to fight and address racism and racial discrimination, the isms would be a theme of the past. It is good to combat the two in all the possible ways. If not well taken care off, the two can end up ruining the entire work place. Leaders should always lead by examples and handle everybody equally, regardless of race or color (Duvall, 94).
Things an individual can do in the media: reduction in racial discrimination to reducing racism
Anyone can write a letter to local paper’s editor or television and radio if the coverage is prejudiced. The media is the biggest tool used to convey messages to the public. Presenters should not always reveal the ethnic or cultural backgrounds of people in subject. Media staff should be aware of possible implications of the utterances they make in public. Racial prejudice and racism in public is punishable by law.
Media staff should gather information of different races and ethnic group so that they may be aware of negative implications related to different ethnic and cultural groups. Some of them do it unknowingly since it could be different in their communities. Media staff should have people from different ethnic and cultural groups. There should be no radio or television station targeting a specific group of people with negative or racially prejudiced motives.
Things done in schools: Reducing racial discrimination to reducing racism
Vacancies in schools should be open to all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Every school should pay attention and respect all holidays related to certain ethnic and cultural groups. Diversity task force and clubs should be present in all schools. These clubs should once in while sponsor talks, forums, discussions, awareness and cultural activities to prevent racism. Classes and hostels should bear names of minority group so that the students can learn more about their history, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This information greatly helps them from making prejudiced decisions and utterances. It in addition trims down misinformed and mistaken discernments.
Conclusion
Racial prejudice is very common in the United States because it is a diverse country and many people from different ethnic cultural groups opt to go work there. The most affected group is the African American or the blacks. However, it was very encouraging to see an African American president. Barrack Obama has helped a lot in reducing racial prejudice and racism in the country.
Media houses are the most influential groups and therefore should not have even the smallest number of cases reported about ratio prejudice and racism. Another place is the school and vacancies should be open to all regardless of color and cultural background. If educated on negative implications of racism and racial discrimination while still young, children can greatly help with fighting ratio prejudice and discrimination. Let us all join hands and fight this disease called racial prejudice and racism.
Work cited
Clark, R., Anderson, N.B., Clark, V.R., and Williams, D.R.. Racism as a stressor for African Americans: A biopsychosocial model. American Psychologist, 54 , 805-816.
Duvall, L. Respecting our differences: A guide to getting along in a changing world. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing, 2003.
Ford, C. W. We can all get along: 50 steps you can take to help end racism at home, at work, and in your community. New York: Dell, 2007.
Hair, P. Louder than words: Lawyers, communities and the struggle for justice. New York, NY: Rockefeller Foundation, 2002.
