Psychology Project Racism

Amna Rukhsar
L1F11BBAM2346

Semester 3rd Psychology project Racism Submitted to: Madam Umbreen Iqbal Submission date: 15 dec, 2012

Racism
People see it every day across the world. A group of whites burn down a black , someone gets hurt or murdered from a racial insult, or fights break out at school or in public. These are the extremes of racism. Racism is definitely not a good thing; it’s a power that has taken over through the present daytime. What will the future bring for Racism? What are the main problems of racism? Can we get a hold on racism throughout the world or will we self-destruct in our own hate? Racism is everywhere, as much as today tries to hide it or say that we resolved it years ago. Racism is still all over the place. Definition of Racism: Racism is the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person’s social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics. Racial separatism is the belief, most of the time based on racism, that different races should remain apart from one another. Racism has existed throughout human history: It may be defined as the hatred of one person by another -- or the belief that another person is less than human -- because of skin color, language, customs, and place of birth or any factor that supposedly reveals the basic nature of that person. Prejudice: If someone is a racist they are of course, prejudiced. Prejudice is when someone doesn’t like someone else for the way they look.. It flies right over their heads - schools, the workplace, our community, our friend’s house, even our homes. Racist or prejudice jokes are not harmless and it is a reality today. Racist jokes are just the start of it. Many people think the jokes are funny. Maybe they are, but they still hurt the people the jokes are about. Superiority:
Superiority is a big part of racism. Every race thinks that they are superior to other ,that they are the best . The power issue may make the difference, that’s one of the main reasons. Each race thinks they are a better race.. Therefore, they fight and create violence to justify who is the greater race. But the reality is, that it doesn’t matter who you are or what color you are. Forms of Racism:
• Individual Racism takes the form of individual attitudes, beliefs, values and behaviors. Some examples of racist attitudes are racial prejudice, belittling, jealousy and bigotry.
• Institutional or Systemic Racism takes the form of the practices, customs, rules and standards of organizations that unnecessarily disadvantage people because of their race, color or ethnicity.
• Cultural Racism is the cultural values and standards that disadvantage people because of their race, color or ethnicity. .
Bio-psycho-social-spiritual phenomenon of racism: Racism is the outward manifestation of an inward system. This system justifies power of position by placing a negative meaning and value on perceived or actual biological/cultural differences. This system gives biological differences, such as skin color, texture of the hair, physical features; or cultural differences, such as language, religion, ethnicity, or accent, a negative value and meaning. In real they are merely biological or cultural necessities. Thus, there is nothing wrong with the color black, brown or yellow. It is not skin color that forms the basis for discrimination, but the negative meaning and value given to the color of skin. "Color is neutral; it is the mind that gives it meaning."
Neither are women discriminated against because of their gender. If gender were the problem then the solution would also be to have a sex-change operation. But the problem is not gender but value systems.. Women are discriminated against because of the negative meaning and value given to their gender. How one defines a situation depends on how one perceives it. That’s the psycho pattern. The meaning that people therefore give to their reality, whether or not true, causes people to behave in a manner that makes the original meaning actually come true. The interpretive meaning called "perception.". The same goes with the spiritual dimension, the fourth factor. In order to justify such evil use of power, people will appeal to those moral systems which give them a sense of meaning, rightness, and ultimate value in life, their ideological belief systems, which serve as the highest authority in their lives, the moral basis of their existence. Like this the bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework works -and how it shapes our world. Common factors of Racism:
• Color: Prejudice or discrimination in which human beings are treated differently based on the social meanings attached to skin color
• Religion: Religious discrimination involves treating a person (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because of his or her religious beliefs. Religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism, but also others who have sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs.
• Gender: Granting or denying rights or privileges to a person based on their gender.
No Boundaries: Victims and perpetrators of racial prejudice are not confined to any period in history, place, skin color, income group or other boundary. No one is immune! But the images we associate with the term racism depend largely on the part of the world in which we live. For instance, in different countries most commonly think of tension between whites and blacks, or increasingly, Hispanics and blacks or whites. Further back, though, other forms existed. Racism –different countries: Racism world-wide is manifested in every continent. In Europe, extreme racist groups have gained more and more acceptability in countries like France, Germany, and Austria. In Australia, the Aborigines have lost much of their land and have been the victim of extreme prejudice. Not only has Apartheid -- legalized separation -- been practiced in Australia, it has been a well-publicized condition in South Africa. Many African countries have endured long-term civil wars, some beginning shortly after that nation’s freedom from former colonial countries. In Asia, Cambodians harbor extreme prejudices against the Vietnamese, and Chinese students have been forbidden access to higher education in Malaysia. In the Middle East, antagonism between the Israelis and the Palestinians continues to exist. Racism in Pakistan: In Pakistan people do face problem regarding racism and its done on the following bases.
• Socio economic status
• Gender
• Color
• Religion
• Cast
• Provincial Causes of racism: Major causes of racism common in all societies are:
• Lack of self love
• feeling of unworthiness
• desire to feel superior
• Fear of loss and displacement
• lack of understanding
• false perceptions
• Ignorance,
• Xenophobia
• Brainwashing
• upbringing,
• negative experiences with individuals of a given race,
• negative images portrayed in media and societal stereotypes,
• hate
• lack of education,
• distorted thinking
• fear
• Selfishness
• Environmental Factors
Effects of racism: It is said that “ Racism always breaks a country and spoils a society.”
The effects that are commonly observed are:
• Self hate
• Suicide
• Self harm issues
• Eating disorders
• Fear of going to school/public places (agoraphobia)
• Bullying
• Knife and gun crime
• Panic attacks
• Violence
• hate crimes
• inequality
• inhumanity
• intolerance
• trade imbalance
• depression
• self loathing
Racism and future: Today we are living in a load of social issues that we have to deal with and racism is one of them. People blame their faults and disappointments against society and the whole race in which they live in. but anyone can do good or excel if they put their mind to it. The future, when you hear the word – Racism - you start to think about advancing our technology and furthering science. You think of exploring new boundaries and seeing new places. A better world, but a worse world is what we see. The technology may improve as we go deeper into the next century, but what about the children of today that are responsible for the future? Right now, we are only hurting ourselves with racism and hate. We have taken many steps in controlling this disease, but like most diseases, they spread.
Does God do favoritism? God is the Creator of all the races—yellow, black and white (with brown and red). Each has strengths and gifts as well as weaknesses. For our better future it is important to finish this discrimination. If He has created everyone equally then who are we to judge? Who are we to complain? Who are we to discriminate? We being a Muslim, how can we do such a thing? Our religion has a clear concept about equality. It’s clearly written in the Holy book that no one is superior to another. Our God has created everyone equally. Its His choice how and what He do…
What Can We Do? “Racism isn't born, it's taugh”
Where there is a problem, there is a solution. The only solution that seems to be found is to stop the hate. Dr. Martin Luther King said: “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.” He had a dream.Its up to us that how and what we make a world without racism….
Changes:
self-awareness…… Reengineering our attitudes about race means that we must examine ourselves.
• Closely examine your values and beliefs; why do you think, believe, and behave toward others as you do.
• Remember, one of the bases of prejudice is ignorance. Try not to ignore but to know other.
• Measure your words carefully before you speak to others.
• Try to be a human first .
Society is formed by us …….society changes can be .
• Do not tolerate prejudiced people, prejudiced talk, or racist action.
• Give good literature, recommend films, lectures, meetings to your friends and family.
• Write letters to newspapers, magazines, and TV sponsors giving your opinion on statements and actions that demean people.
• Organize a cleanup or rebuilding campaign
• Make an effort to support minority cultural events
• Make an effort to teach the value of equality and tolerance
For Institutions-Effecting Change:
• For institutions to change, their culture, vision, values, and ideology must change. All policies must be based around a single ideology.
• Examine an institution's deep belief and value systems
• Hold training seminars in intercultural competence:
• self-acceptance.
• Put people to work and interact in interracial learning teams so as to develop positive attitudes and cross-ethnic friendships.
• Make a commitment and act on it!
Things You Can Do in the Schools: This can be done in a school or university setting.
• sponsor panel discussions
• awareness activities
• cultural
• projects that will promote cultural understanding and inclusiveness.
• anti-racism education in your school's curriculum
• events relating to a variety of cultures..
• "Example: The "Book of Dreams"
To sum it up: Figuring out what to do about the ugly reality of racism in our communities presents a difficult challenge. There is no single or easy set of instructions that will eliminate racism once and for all. Instead, it is something we must continually work against -- choosing the strategies and actions that will be most effective in our own individual communities. In this resource, we've suggested such strategies and actions, and shown examples of how many of them have been put into practice in real communities. When you start deciding how to reduce racism in your own community, feel free to use any of these ideas, but also feel free to be creative and come up with your own solutions as well. Remember: “Rainbows aren't just one color. They're every single color. Be a rainbow. Enjoy all of the colors in the world.”