Could you be a racist? Racism is when a person has prejudices or draws conclusions about others based on racial stereotypes, and when that person believes that some races are better than others. Some racist people hatefully insult or even commit violence against members of a race they don't like, but sometimes racism is not easy to see. Even when you believe that you would never hurt someone just because they are of a different race, racism can influence how you treat other people without you even realizing it. The best way to stop racism is to recognize it first.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Paying attention to the way you think
Step 1. Notice if you have any thoughts that some races are better or worse than others
The belief that some races are superior while others are inferior is the basis of racism. If deep down you believe that your race (or any other race) has qualities that make it better than others, it means that you have racist thoughts. Be honest with yourself about what you believe.
Step 2. Notice if you think that all members of a particular race have certain qualities
Do you stereotype people based on their race? For example, you are a racist if you believe that all members of a particular race are untrustworthy, or if you believe that all members of a particular race are intelligent. Stereotyping all members of a particular race is the thinking of a racist.
- Many people who fall into this type of racism believe that it is harmless. For example, they argue that assuming someone of a certain race is smarter than others is a compliment. However, because this assumption is based on racial stereotypes, this assumption is not praise but racism.
- In the worst case scenario, stereotyping someone can be very dangerous. For example, an innocent person is often considered a criminal simply because of the color of his skin, even when he has committed no crime.
Step 3. When you meet someone for the first time, pay attention to what kind of judgment you immediately take
For example, when a coworker introduces you to someone you've never met before, what's your first impression of that person? First impressions are always accompanied by a few quick judgments you take, but are those judgments more racial in tone? Do you assume anything about the person based on the color of their skin? This kind of thing is racism.
- Racism is not limited to judgments taken based on the color of a person's skin. If you judge someone based on their clothing, accent, hairstyle, jewelry, or other aspects of that person's appearance that relate to their race, those judgments you make also fall into the category of racism.
- The assessment you take can be a positive or negative assessment, but still both assessments include racism. Whether you find someone funny, sexual, scary, or some other trait, it's still a stereotyped judgment.
Step 4. Think about whether you tend to ignore concerns about racism
When you hear someone say that something is racist, can you understand what that person is saying? Or do you actually think that it is not racism? Racism is a big problem experienced by almost every country in the world. If you never really notice it, it's not because racism doesn't exist but because you don't see it clearly.
- For example, if you have a coworker who feels that he or she can't get promoted because of his or her race, and you do work for a company that has a history of only giving promotions to a higher level to workers of a certain race, then your co-worker is likely. Correct.
- Racism can be hard to spot, especially if you're new to this. However, when someone ignores the problem of racism without trying to understand the problem, usually that person has a tendency to racism.
Step 5. Think about whether you are usually aware of racial injustice
In a perfect world, all races would have equal opportunities and enjoy the same wealth, but in reality this is not the case. In contrast, certain races have historically taken more for themselves and left less for other races. When you don't acknowledge racial injustice and ignore the issue, you're only helping the problem of racism grow bigger.
For example, if you believe that all races have an equal right to education, but many racial minorities at a university are not trying hard enough to be successful, find the root of the problem. The reason certain people are able to afford college and graduate with a degree is often because they have historically had greater rights than others
Part 2 of 3: Paying attention to the way you treat others
Step 1. Notice if a person's race changes the way you talk to that person
Do you treat everyone the same way, or does your attitude change when you talk to someone from a different race? If your attitude turns cold or you treat people of a different race harshly, then you are a racist.
- Notice if you feel uncomfortable talking to people of other races.
- See if you find it easy to make friends with people of different races. If everyone you hang out with tends to be of the same race, this may signal a problem.
Step 2. Notice if you talk about people from other races differently when they're not around
You may be nice in front of them, but do you talk about them behind your back? If you feel comfortable looking down on other people or stereotyping people when you're around people of the same race as you, even if you've never done this in front of the person in question, it's still racism.
Even if you do these things in front of the person in question, and that person doesn't mind, it's still not a good thing. Maybe the person doesn't care, but you're still exhibiting racist behavior
Step 3. Notice if a person's race influences the decisions you make about that person
Back again to the question of whether you treat people of different races differently or you treat everyone the same way. If you decide not to hire someone, don't want to work with someone, don't smile at someone, and so on just because of that person's race, you are behaving racially.
- Another example of racist behavior is when you run away when you see someone from a different race approaching you.
- Even if you do such behavior as a joke or want to be more friendly than usual, if it's basically because of someone's race, you still treat people differently.
Step 4. Find out when you have been racist towards someone
If you're new to racism, you may not realize that you've said or done anything that constitutes racism, even to people you consider friends. Remember that any time you make a judgment about a person's abilities, preferences, or qualities based on your stereotypical opinion of that person's race, your judgment is that of a racist. Expressing these judgments directly can hurt others and can also foster stereotyped opinions that can hurt everyone. Here are some of the types of comments and questions you should avoid:
- Assuming food, music, or other preferences based on a person's race.
- Asking someone a question regarding that person's race, it's as if that person's answer represents everyone of his or her race.
- Ask someone for advice on how to date someone who is of the same race as him.
- Without permission to ask someone a question about that person's race or region of origin.
- Making comments or gestures that can make someone feel different or noticed by people because of their race (touching someone's hair, etc).
Part 3 of 3: Changing Your Perspective
Step 1. Recognize stereotypes when you spot them
Once you know what to look for, you will be overwhelmed by racial stereotypes by people you know, news, politicians, movies, books, and other places around you. Racial stereotypes are ingrained in our culture, and recognizing them is one way you can change your views and help stop racism.
If you're new to racial stereotypes, a good way to learn about them is to watch old movies. Take a look at classic western movies. What kind of racist stereotypes did the characters in the film play on white people against Native Americans? Today stereotypes are no longer overt, but they have not disappeared
Step 2. Question your quick judgment
If you notice that you've just made a judgment about someone based on that person's race, take some time to understand what just happened. Make a conscious effort to take a deeper look at the stereotype you just felt about the person standing in front of you.
A person's personality, history, dreams, or potential are not limited by the racial stereotypes you feel about someone. Don't let racism ruin the way you view other people
Step 3. Begin to recognize racial injustice
Once you realize that racial injustice exists, you will see it all around you: at school, at work, at home, and in the way institutions are run. For example, if you attend a private school and 90 percent of the students at that school are white, ask why people who are not white don't go to school there. What kind of inequalities are causing this problem in your school?
Or think about the people elected to the local government. Are every race in your area represented? What factors might cause members of a particular race to have a lower chance of being selected?
Step 4. Think seriously when someone says something is racist
It may or may not be racism, but don't get into the habit of ignoring people when they feel they have been victims of racism, or when they say something they believe is racist. Research the situation and do what you can to help. Even if you can't immediately see something as racism, still give the person the benefit of your doubt.
Step 5. Keep increasing your knowledge
Learning how to eradicate racism from life is your work in progress. All people have known racial stereotypes, whether racial stereotypes about their own race or the race of others. Racism will not just disappear, but by pointing out injustice when we encounter it instead of turning away and ignoring it, we can play our part in stopping Racism.
Tips
- Don't be afraid to rebuke others for their attitudes and assumptions. This also applies to you. You need to be able to listen and appreciate when someone rebukes you for something similar.
- Remember that when you look at the bigger picture, there is really only one race: the human race.
- Don't treat someone as a symbol. Doing this is only demeaning to others and also rude.
- Try spending time learning about the cultures of other races so that you become more advanced and open to different ways and lifestyles.
