Racism and Social Justice
What is racism, and is racism a social justice issue? In order to answer this question, there is a need to define social justice. Basically, social justice is about equal justice for all people, not just in courts but also in all societal aspects. Social justice requires that people have equal opportunities and rights, regardless of race, color, class or nationality. Based on this definition, racism is therefore a social justice issue. Racism can be described as the belief that different races have dissimilar cultural traits which bequeath some races with an inherent superiority over other races. This often results in aggressive or abusive behavior towards member of a certain race based on such beliefs. Racism is a social justice issue because it discriminates, teases, kills, tortures, and totally destroys a person’s confidence. It leads to racial profiling and thus denies people their basic rights and justice. Racism was long associated with the black community. However, racism in the 21st century has taken different shape, with Muslim-Americans being targets of racist abuses, especially following the 9/11 attacks. But the fight against terror should not be an excuse to target people of a particular race or religion. That amounts to social injustice.
How People React Against Racist People
In his poem “Terrorism is not Religion”, Hersi recounts incidences of teasing and discrimination that he had to undergo just because he happens to be Muslim. This is despite the fact that he was a US Marine who fought for the United States. From a young age, Hersi recalls how his teacher could not pronounce his name properly. His teacher even once remarked that “we know you are the ones who blew the World Trade”. Racism also affects Hersi even as he serves the US Marines, being subjected to racist remarks and stereotypes. From this poem, several aspects of how people react to racist people can be identified. First, people develop a dislike for racist people.
It is true that people will only talk against a social injustice when it affects them. Hersi talks about this when he refers to racism against African Americans, American Indians, Jewish people and Muslim Americans. However, this should not be the case. Racism is an issue that needs attention and should be addressed by all people because it affects the whole society, not just a single community. Terrorism should not be viewed as a vice perpetrated by religion. Instead, it is the few individuals who perpetrate such acts that should be brought to justice. It should not be generalized to a whole community or religion, since that only serves to alienate and discriminate. Indeed, terrorism is neither a religion, nor is it a religion.
Works Cited
Hersi. Terrorism is not a Religion. Poet Nation. Web. 28 April 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51_XrR3J9VY
