INSTITUTIONAL RACISM TODAY
In this paper, the researcher will tackle three things in particular, first is the researchers own reflection to institutional racism. Second is the concept of this social disease and lastly, its effect to society and other factors. The researcher aims to provide specific and general ideas regarding institutional racism to make people aware about its negative aura in the society and its sources. To begin with, here is brief information about institutional racism. Institutional racism is an immoral way for a certain organization, group, or even scholars engage on racial discrimination to others. This act is committed by individuals who are part of a group that has an evil agenda over other races. Better (2008) states that rather than just merely racial identification and recognition, there are groups or individuals who consider race as a level of humanity in this world, meaning there are those who are superior on others.
The idea of this is simple, superiority and the classification according to skin colors. It is unfortunate that there are people who are quick to discriminate others just by looking at their colors and not even having the chance to identify the person’s culture, beliefs, or religion; it is all about color levels. This is a painful reality that everyone needs to face and endure. There are still high-profile individuals in the government, entertainment, sports, business, media, etc. who think less for those people with different body features. This has been a default setting in the minds of so many that there are people who feel superior and there are people who feel like they belong on a lower platform in life and that their rights and privilege are limited. According to Abrams (2003) women suffers and harder and heavier level of both gender and racial discrimination that occurs everywhere including school and the workplace. This is similar to a plague slowly eating respect, integrity, and trust for each other.
Relentless Racism
Coates’ (2015) “Between the World and Me” is a living proof of the relentless suffering black men or women faces on a daily basis in the early days up to today. In Coates’ book stories about the exploitation of bodies for slavery, violence, imprisonment, and discrimination were told that still inflict pain in the current generation. Thinking about it, will racism ever be cured? The most obvious source of Racism from the past up to the present is white supremacy. Whiteness or being white is used as a tool to exert dominance over other races and to manipulate even the country’s government system for selfish gain and deprived other races the rights and benefits they deserve (Lipsitz, 2006). These days, institutional racism is practice by a large group of people for a stronger arsenal against equality and to ensure a gap between races or one can say that people are being categorized by their colors.
Dear White People
One good example for further explanation about this paper is the concept of the movie “Dear White People” produced and directed by Justine Simien (2015). The movie focuses on an ongoing conflict between the black and white students in the prestigious Winchester University which is considered a white school. In the movie it is clear that both black and white people are already in a racial war, only this time, the black or African race retaliates rather than just take a beating. It is also unfortunate that there are people who encourage others to commit such racial act because for them it is a matter of victory and supremacy. The movie also tackled the issue with the third sex and how hard it is for African gay and lesbian individuals to socialize in a world full of judgmental and cruel minds. Throughout the lessons in this course, one painful thing is certain, racism is still active and it has taken so many forms. People are labeled and worst is that the basis of racist individuals is according to people’s appearance not their achievements and contribution to society.
Implications for Social Work
There are so many advocates fighting for equality rights for years and there has been tremendous development, but Racism is much bigger than a social crisis, it can be considered as a social phenomenon worldwide and not in a good way. Social work is necessary and people should have the initiative to contribute. The problem these days is that there are people who remain idle or passive regarding this issue because they lack the interest and compassion. First thing to consider when engaging on this concept is the difference between cultures. It is impossible to base a decision when advocating only one culture. Cultural Competence is a key component for equality if the people behind it are dedicated and accurate in the provisions and actions they distribute to the society. As a social worker, everyone, including the researcher for this paper needs to identify the difference with cultures and the morals, traditions, beliefs, and values they contain. If people started to respect other cultures despite the differences and conflicts, the impact would be truly beneficial. The aura in the workplace, school, and society will be productive in the sense that people recognize other people’s contribution and accomplishments. The same goes with their mistakes, rather than discrimination and degradation, errors are going to be addressed for the sake of positive changes and development. There are a set of standards needed for an advantageous flow of social work like self-awareness, diverse workplace, advocacy initiative, ethics, and so much more. Social workers should also engage on education, seminars, and trainings about social work and the many ways of how they can contribute separately or as a group.
Conclusion
Institutional racism is a branch of racismthat tackles the practice and damage of racism in social institutions. It is still hard to fully eradicate such immoral practices because there is still individuals’ focus on personal gains. Even in church, racism can be traced, but many religious groups worldwide are promoting equality and culture sensitivity to recognize all races with different cultures. Institutional racism can inflict the most devastating damages because they can tarnish credibility, careers, and identity. This pattern of discrimination needs to be counter-attacked by promoting the contributions of other races and the beauty of their culture.
The Cure
The only cure for racism is for the ultimate realization and recognition of everyone in this world that no race is superior and people should always get what they deserve. Also remember, that racism these days damage even the white race and this is the result of the false courage other races got from being the victim and now being the oppressor. According to Fredrickson (2009), the first thing to be done for the movement to cure racism is to recognize each race and treat them differently in a respectful manner meaning we give respect to their color, culture, beliefs, religion, style of clothing, language, and every factor the differentiates them from everybody else.
References
Abrams, L.S. (2003). Contextual variations in young women’s gender identity negotiations. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 27(1), 64-74.
Better, S. (2008).Institutional racism: a primer on theory and strategies for social change. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. (2nded.).
Coates, T. (2015). Between the world and me. New York: Spiegel & Grau.
Fredrickson, G. (2009). Racism: a short history. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Lipsitz, G. (2006). The possessive investment in whiteness: How white people profit from identity politics. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.
Simien, Justine (Producer/Director). (2015). Dear White People [Motion Picture]. United States of America: Lionsgate.
