How do we rise above racism towards respect and tolerance in society?

Question

As we move towards an increasingly interconnected society, our interactions with people from within India & with those of different cultures across the world is rising. While buzzwords such as global village & knowledge society are constantly used in advertising, we are hardly open to a respectful acceptance of our differences. Alarmingly there is a rise in xenophobic attitudes and favoritism towards certain sections of society, based either on race, skin color or caste. There are quite a few shameful instances where Indians have exhibited racism. Racial slurs are used quite openly towards people of different regions & religions. When we are on the receiving end, we denounce racism and rightfully so, but, aren't we guilty of a double standard when there is manifest racism in our own country? India has long been a melting pot of cultures, languages, ethnicities and that has been her proudest tradition. How do we transcend above petty racism to embrace all humanity as one with ourselves?

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Answer 1

Indian Society is now at the cross roads of development after nearly 5 decades of independence .Our problems are complex because we have willfully accepted a diverse society of all religions,cultures and habits of living.While we have not yet tasted the advantages of a diverse society which has unique synergy among the comity of Nations, the aspirations of the people are growing with the changing environment. Indian society has always been an open society and it has become even more open in recent times because of rapid growth in communication and all round development.It is but natural that this gap in meeting the aspirations is leading to problems of all types including racism. Racism is truly an expression of some nefarious short sighted persons to gain unfair and undue advantage over other fellow citizens.We can overcome the disease of racism by one or more of the following methods.
1) Create societal norms which strictly shuns racism of any kind. It should be totally unacceptable at all levels.Unfortunately many of our leaders themselves are falling a trap to this racism for quick and immediate gains.
2)Racism originates when we ourselves create differences of caste, creed and class.Such things must totally be scrapped.
3)Our national character must reflect anti -racism of any sort happening anywhere in the world.Gandhiji demonstrated the strentgh of his conviction against racism inspite of odds in South Africa even though he himself was a target of racism.His noble deeds have freed SA of racism today.We need our leaders to emulate Gandhiji for all the common people to see.Unfortunately this is not happening today.
4)Children are the torch bearers of India's future. They should be taught in schools and colleges to be humanistic and be tolerant to others views. Every person is free to express his opinion and be a part of the Nation building process. This must be inculcated in the minds of children at a young age so that it blossoms when they grow.Are all our schools doing this? I am not sure.
5)Our enlightened saints and religious heads must come forward to teach that all religions are the means of acheiving the same end.When there are no differences in religions, how can differentiation in followers come? Today a large part of racism is linked to religion.
6)Illustrious cases of anti-racism must be rewarded and encouraged for all people to see. This will motivate people to see above race or caste or creed.
7)Healthy mingling of all communities must be encouraged. This will encourage people to exchange good ideas and improve understanding.
8)Media has a big role to paly in propagating anti-racism. Our media should take an active role.
I have firm faith that India with a glorious history of cultural amity and diversity in culture will go through this bad period successfully and emerge as the torch bearer of anti-racism worldwide.

Answer 2

As we move towards an increasingly interconnected society, our interactions with people from within India & with those of different cultures across the world is rising. While buzzwords such as global village & knowledge society are constantly used in advertising, we are hardly open to a respectful acceptance of our differences. Alarmingly there is a rise in xenophobic attitudes and favoritism towards certain sections of society, based either on race, skin color or caste. There are quite a few shameful instances where Indians have exhibited racism. Racial slurs are used quite openly towards people of different regions & religions. When we are on the receiving end, we denounce racism and rightfully so, but, aren't we guilty of a double standard when there is manifest racism in our own country? India has long been a melting pot of cultures, languages, ethnicities and that has been her proudest tradition. How do we transcend above petty racism to embrace all humanity as one with ourselves?

Answer 3

As we move towards an increasingly interconnected society, our interactions with people from within India & with those of different cultures across the world is rising. While buzzwords such as global village & knowledge society are constantly used in advertising, we are hardly open to a respectful acceptance of our differences. Alarmingly there is a rise in xenophobic attitudes and favoritism towards certain sections of society, based either on race, skin color or caste. There are quite a few shameful instances where Indians have exhibited racism. Racial slurs are used quite openly towards people of different regions & religions. When we are on the receiving end, we denounce racism and rightfully so, but, aren't we guilty of a double standard when there is manifest racism in our own country? India has long been a melting pot of cultures, languages, ethnicities and that has been her proudest tradition. How do we transcend above petty racism to embrace all humanity as one with ourselves?

Answer 4

As we move towards an increasingly interconnected society, our interactions with people from within India & with those of different cultures across the world is rising. While buzzwords such as global village & knowledge society are constantly used in advertising, we are hardly open to a respectful acceptance of our differences. Alarmingly there is a rise in xenophobic attitudes and favoritism towards certain sections of society, based either on race, skin color or caste. There are quite a few shameful instances where Indians have exhibited racism. Racial slurs are used quite openly towards people of different regions & religions. When we are on the receiving end, we denounce racism and rightfully so, but, aren't we guilty of a double standard when there is manifest racism in our own country? India has long been a melting pot of cultures, languages, ethnicities and that has been her proudest tradition.

Answer 5

As we move towards an increasingly interconnected society, our interactions with people from within India & with those of different cultures across the world is rising. While buzzwords such as global village & knowledge society are constantly used in advertising, we are hardly open to a respectful acceptance of our differences. Alarmingly there is a rise in xenophobic attitudes and favoritism towards certain sections of society, based either on race, skin color or caste. There are quite a few shameful instances where Indians have exhibited racism. Racial slurs are used quite openly towards people of different regions & religions. When we are on the receiving end, we denounce racism and rightfully so, but, aren't we guilty of a double standard when there is manifest racism in our own country? India has long been a melting pot of cultures, languages, ethnicities and that has been her proudest tradition. How do we transcend above petty racism to embrace all humanity as one with ourselves?

Answer 6

When we, Indians, answer this question, we have to think of different aspects. The domestic problems that we are battling with and the international scenario. On the domestic front the society, especially the urban society, has been changing drastically. The rural society will change, given the time. India is a holy country. We have a tradition of tolerance and understanding of other religions, people, customs etc. But the politicians are making a mess of the situation for their advantages. This has to change. All citizens of this country should be viewed equally. The down trodden citizens should be given a helping hand, by all means. But not the way it is being done now. A teacher who does not know how to teach or an engineer who does not know how to construct a bridge or a doctor who does not know how treat a patient will only hamper the progress of the nation. This should change. All assistance may be provided and then appointments should be made strictly on merit basis. This will help in building up a society of equals. We have a long way to go. Lets hope for the best.

In the international arena, India will succeed when it makes more money and also reach a level of development at par with the developed nations. Now people look at the developed nations not just because of the culture of that nation. It is mainly the money. As far as culture is concerned, India is the best in the world. Only India will be able to give a solution to the problem of racism in the time to come. With all our problems and set backs, we are still the best. Only India has the moral cultural and spiritual strength to solve the problem of racism internationally.

India is well poised to take over the command in a short while. Let us pin our hopes on our youngsters.

Answer 7

The domestic problems that we are battling with and the international scenario. On the domestic front the society, especially the urban society, has been changing drastically. The rural society will change, given the time. India is a holy country. We have a tradition of tolerance and understanding of other religions, people, customs etc. But the politicians are making a mess of the situation for their advantages. This has to change. All citizens of this country should be viewed equally. The down trodden citizens should be given a helping hand, by all means. But not the way it is being done now. A teacher who does not know how to teach or an engineer who does not know how to construct a bridge or a doctor who does not know how treat a patient will only hamper the progress of the nation. This should change. All assistance may be provided and then appointments should be made strictly on merit basis. This will help in building up a society of equals. We have a long way to go. Lets hope for the best. Today the condition is such that there is a clear demarcation between the backward class and the other casts and this demaracation is more prominent than the India- pak or the India-China demarcation line. This is making a difference in the society than bringing them together, the practice is same, only difference is that first it was practiced by the priests and now in a camouflaged way by the government.

Answer 8

How do we rise above racism towards respect and tolerance in society?
As we move towards an increasingly interconnected society, our interactions with people from within India & with those of different cultures across the world is rising. While buzzwords such as global village & knowledge society are constantly used in advertising, we are hardly open to a respectful acceptance of our differences. Alarmingly there is a rise in xenophobic attitudes and favoritism towards certain sections of society, based either on race, skin color or caste. There are quite a few shameful instances where Indians have exhibited racism. Racial slurs are used quite openly towards people of different regions & religions. When we are on the receiving end, we denounce racism and rightfully so, but, aren't we guilty of a double standard when there is manifest racism in our own country? India has long been a melting pot of cultures, languages, ethnicities and that has been her proudest tradition. How do we transcend above petty racism to embrace all humanity as one with ourselves?

Answer 9

How do we rise above racism towards respect and tolerance in society?
As we move towards an increasingly interconnected society, our interactions with people from within India & with those of different cultures across the world is rising. While buzzwords such as global village & knowledge society are constantly used in advertising, we are hardly open to a respectful acceptance of our differences. Alarmingly there is a rise in xenophobic attitudes and favoritism towards certain sections of society, based either on race, skin color or caste. There are quite a few shameful instances where Indians have exhibited racism. Racial slurs are used quite openly towards people of different regions & religions. When we are on the receiving end, we denounce racism and rightfully so, but, aren't we guilty of a double standard when there is manifest racism in our own country? India has long been a melting pot of cultures, languages, ethnicities and that has been her proudest tradition. How do we transcend above petty racism to embrace all humanity as one with ourselves

Answer 10

Dear Piyush ji,

Sai Ram. Thanks for bringing up a question that is very relevant not only today but has been relevant from the time the universe came into existence and will continue to remain relevant till the universe lasts. Whether you go from the spirituality route or the scientific route, the picture is clear and is consistent in the main points, and differs only in details. Let me share both the views.

If you read our Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas, you will find that the creation started from almost nothing (From the Mahapralaya) and in the beginning as the creation progressed, there was not much noticeable diversity, but the diversity went on increasing leading to the complexity of today, which is expected to increase for many more millenia before the next cataclysms catch up and start reducing the diversity and bring the Pralaya again. Sai Ram.

The scientific theory also is remarkably similar. The Big Bang theory, which is well respected, postulates that all the known universe (and much more which is not seen but is postulated to exist) has originated from a point sized singularity! As the universe went on expanding, the cooling resulted in localised clumping, the clumps became further subdivided and became galaxies, stars, planets, satellites etc., and as the cooling progressed, the primordial soup was rich in organic nutrients and some where life started and as life became more complex, the diversity has increased. The entropy of the universe is also going up and some day the universe will reverse the expanison and the Big Crunch will take place and all the known universe will collapse into a point sized singularity where space and time also vanish!

At a more modest scale, observe the growth of a fertilised egg in a womb. Initially the cells keep on dividing unformly but later on specialised structures such as bones, blood, muscles, heart etc., start developing. It is as if the building blocks remain the same but the structures differ. Is that not what is happening in society also today?

It is said that the macrocosm (the external universe) is but a reflection of the microcosm (the internal universe). And the mind of the modern man is today so complex and outward driven that the forest is not seen because it is so vast and you can see only the trees! Simlarly, each social group is seeing the differences more than the underlying unity. Sai Ram.

An example of today's divisive thinking is that people see the islands as separate land masses divided by sea but fail to see the underlying continuity of the land! Similarly, we are seeing the differences of size, shape, color, caste and creed and are forgetting the underlying unity of not only the human race but all creation. After all, all creation is made of matter and matter is just a condensed state of energy! Similarly the universal consciousness is One but appears as many.

Why this state of affairs? Again our scriptures provide the answer. Kali Yug. It is like a pendulum swinging between unity and diversity, just as the universe is oscillating. There are sub-cycles within cycles. This is one such.

Science and spirituality have a lot in common and education will help the individual, 'remember' - yes, re-member, i.e. realise his / her role as a building unit of the structure. So, while preserving one's habits, customs and culture, one also tolerates all others. Sai's philosophy is that only.

Pl. feel free to continue this dialogue. Sai Ram.

Answer 11

Racism is a feeling which is present against a particular section of people based on their race, colour or skin. But the point in consideration should be that does the colour or race of a person says that he is a good human being or not. When there is situations where communities are fighting amongst themselves, a good message of peace and friendship would prevail happiness in the world, whether it is being done by a black or white person. We have so many examples where we have seen a large ocean of talent on this earth and these talented people have contributed in some or the other way in the development of the world. If they wouldn't have worked with courage against all odds we would have never got such examples like Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Einstein, etc. For instance, although Indians in various parts had been differentiated on the basis of colour but still they took the attitude as a challenge and without getting into any anti feeling made a strong place in the world. However, there are already so many challenges posed in front of the world like terrorism, global warming, etc, there should not be any room for feelings like racism, but there should be respect and tolerance towards each other so that the world can fight against these problems together.