How can we OVERCOME RACISM?

Question

How can we plug racism out of our respective societies?

If it is an impossible task then why JADE is kicked out of Big Brother House?

Answer 1

I think there are actually numerous answers involving small steps and changes that can and need to be taken at every level...families, communities, governments, etc. and they, with variations for different cultures, historical realities, etc., could probably take up all of Yahoo! Answers, but I think the root of it comes down to one thing if we want to root out racism in the long term: EXPOSURE.

Most bigotry and prejudice, of which racism is a form, comes from misperception or even fear of someone different than you.

This comes usually from what one has heard anecdotally, bad experiences (true or made-up) of others, etc., rarely from personal experience (or, when it does come from personal experience, it's often with only one person, or one slice of the group one is prejudiced against...if you only interacted with hispanics when you were mugged in downtown L.A., it does not make it fair to assume all hispanics to be like the people you had the limited interaction with).

The key to changing minds is to expose ourselves and our children to as much diversity and difference as possible. I grew up in the U.S. Army where all the kids were of different and often mixed race, and race was not an early indicator of what the economic status of the parent or family was (in the Army it could really be anything!) Your Dad or Mom's boss could be of any race or culture (as could their subordinates, or a soldier's roommate, or a soldier's battle buddy...you didn't get to choose). So many people entering the Army comment on how quickly thier assumptions about the behavior, priorities, and, most importantly, their own compatability with members of other races and cultures were turned on their heads! It was all because they were exposed to each other in a regular and daily environment where they first had to get over their differences...and could suddenly start seeing, and then appreciating their similarities.

I would use two other examples. A friend and I both went to college in Texas, and both came from out of state. He came from a state where the main perception of hispanics as an upper-class white teenager was of hispanics as illegal aliens, gang members, and service workers. He was very uncomfortable when he got to our college which was nearly 50% hispanic....all legal, most middle-class, many upper-class. After 4 years of perception changing exposure, he married a young Hispanic woman...something that would have been unthought of when he was a teenager.

A co-worker of mine is a white man from South Africa. He recalls when apartheid ended and blacks were allowed to attend his school (he was in the equivalent of the American 5th grade). There were fights and protests for about 2 years and then things smoothed out. Today he is grand friends with several of his black former classmates, roomed at university with two black students, and consistently has to argue with his parents and grandparents about being so comfortable and supportive of blacks...the difference...he had exposure which led him to see more similarities than differences, that his parents and grandparents, through voluntary measures designed to protect themselves, never did. They are still fearful when they venture out into a mixed shopping area, he looks around for friendly faces!

Answer 2

Simple answer - you can't. These prejudices come down through generations. Even the best parents pass on some racialism, although unintentionally.
Although children go to school now with people of many races, the prejudice sometimes come through.
In another 50 years time - or when the whole world is a khaki colour - things might me different.
(Try and listen to Melting Pot by a 60's group called Blue Mink. Bit of guidance)

Answer 3

Make all the people who (unfortunately) play into the stereotypes straighten up, talk like a normal, intelligent, respectible human beings, stay in school, and that will solve a lot. You can't hate someone if they're the same as you. Think about it--when was the last time you heard someone say, "Man, that guy's an idiot--his skin is black!" Probably never. When was the last time you heard someone say, "Why does he have to be so loud and talk in a butchered form of English that I can barely understand and wear his pants hanging so low around his hips that he has to use safety pins in his boxers to hold them up?" Probably recently.

Answer 4

It is going to have to be a very intentional, continuous process. Sadly this will not be a quick task. A major step will be when those who are not racist intentionally speak out whenever they hear racist comments. It is not a comfortable thing to do. I have left many awkward pauses hanging in the air but when someone tells a joke or story that is racist or makes some comment that is racist I interrupt them and say that sounds racist and I really do not wish to hear it. It has strained a couple of office friendships but unless we are willing to do that we will not defeat racism. We are either actively against racism or we are tacit supporters of it. There is no middle ground.

Answer 5

What would you like the names changed to? If the names are changed but the content is still the same, would that make a difference to you? Are you really that bothered by the names? How does it make you feel? What does it make you think? How does it affect your life? Can America really be a country without divisions? There are many different cultures in America that each have different needs that can be best met by those who understand that culture. Do you think that it is just the names that cause divisions or the circumstances that led to the creation of these things? You can change a name but can you change what is in the hearts and minds of man.

Answer 6

That may never happen when you have racism in races.
That's like saying one religion is better than all the others.

Tolerance and acceptance helps change attitudes, but it all starts within ourselves.

Answer 7

Stop breading it

Stop passing it down to the kids

and one one race is more racist than another there are even races that even hate each other

It will take a very very long time I will never see it in my time

Answer 8

racism is a form of prejudice. People need to stop being prejudice regardless.

Answer 9

By knowing the truth that there is no race in the sight of God we are all one, descendants of Adam and Eve. There is nothing to boast about.. After all we'll all die one day.. Simply

Answer 10

The first idea that came to mind was how about we all poke out our eyes. But then there is always that killjoy who would cheat and only lie about his blindness lol
Peace be with you