Definition of Racism

Racism
Racism is one of the most explosive topics around and one that people rarely greet with sincerity. Everywhere you go, and everywhere you look, there is always somebody different. Imagine walking down the street and having people stare at you or call you names, or talk behind your back, just because your skin is a different color, or because you’re a different religion. We all seem to ask ourselves the same question over and over, why do people do this? Unfortunately racism is almost impossible to stop. There will always be egoistic people who consider their race to be better than that of other’s.
The dictionary defines racism as discrimination or prejudice based on race or the belief that some races are physically, culturally, or even intellectually superior to others and therefore have the right to dominate them. In the United States, racism, especially by whites against blacks, has created deep racial tension and conflict in almost all aspects of the American society. Until the breakthroughs achieved by African Americans with the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, white domination over blacks was institutionalized and supported in all branches and levels of government, by denying blacks their civil rights and opportunities to participate in political, economic, and social communities. Some people who helped stop or at least made racism less conflicting today were Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela were some among those of the many others who helped with racism not just in America, but worldwide.
There are many factors to why racism occurs, like the influence of the family of an individual can influence a child’s view on others races. Also, television and movies can play a part as well in affecting the way people view racism. Friends and peers can also influence people on how they view other races. These factors have a lot to do with an individual’s views towards racism. Also, racism can lead to many... [continues]

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