Monday, January 27, 2014

Why are people racist?

Argentina and Germany come together at the start of a soccer match in Cape Town, South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and express their feelings towards racism

Racism is a problem that has effected the world and its inhabitants for many centuries. To be specific, racism is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race.  So why in fact are people racist? Well, according to humanrights.gov, people are racist for a couple of key reasons.  

1. Influence
As children we often look up to higher influences to determine how we live. When a role model exhibits racist actions, it is easier for us to express them too.

2. Background
All humans come from different places, however we are all the same species.  We all have different cultures and backgrounds.  Over time this establishes an identity that we feel we must retain.  When we are compared to other cultures we might have a sense of superiority which needs to stop.

3. Stereotypes
Humans judge everything.  When an individual observes something new to them, they quickly judge it, and move on.  This creates labels on things including other humans.  The result-- stereotypes. A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.  Humans have adopted many stereotypes over time which has affected our ability to accept new people, things and cultures.

4. "The Blame Game"
When you have a particularly bad day at the office, school or even on the field you might feel inclined to blow off some steam and let some anger out.  Humans often seek out easy targets and blame them for their own troubles.  Crazy, huh?  Well there's another way to deal with your problems and newsflash-- its not being racist.
 
 
 
 
Sources

1 comment:

  1. I like all of the pictures! It makes the blog look really nice!

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