Definition of Racism
When asked what the definition of racism is, I would typically reply “When a person makes a rude comment about someone’s skin color, offending that person.” It’s too bad that my definition of racism doesn’t even touch the real definition or define what a racist is. In the book God Bless America author Melvin James has his own definition as to what racist persons do. He states “Racist persons treat persons differently and negatively because those persons belong to a certain racial or ethnic background. Racist persons often posit alternative reasons for their ethics and actions.”(James 163). So exactly what is the historical development of the concept of race, in other words when and how did racism start and what is the impact on Black persons worldwide? To understand the historical concept of race, one must know the intent of racism. According to God Bless America “There are three major components of racist behaviors.”(James 164). My friend circle is very diverse, and we all tend to make racist comments towards each other, even though we aren’t meaning it in a harmful way. Sometimes I wonder why we make racist comments towards each and laugh about it as if we didn’t know that the person only said it to demean us. Again, even though we are only teasing each other, the comment still exists and it was used in a demeaning way; to hurt. James states in his book that “the first of three major components of racist behaviors is that they are demeaning.” (James 164). In other words the behaviors are meant to make a particular race feel less of itself. The second is that “the actions or behaviors are discriminating.” (James 164). What he means is that racist behaviors present negative and harassing actions to the one who is being criticized. Last, James states “Racist behaviors are intended to dislocate, disassociate, and disestablish persons toward whom racist acts are promulgated. Persons become psychologically, sociologically, and physically displaced.” (James 164).
Cited: James, Melvin. God Bless America Contemporary Analysis of Truth, Justice, and Compassion. South Carolina: Booksurge . 2009 Woodson, Carter G. The Mis-Education of the Negro. Chicago: The Associated Publishers. 1933