As you see it, what is/are the origin(s) of racism? Can it be eradicated in your judgment? If so, how?

Question

I've noticed that in multiple countries on our planet, there are some who feel that the darker the person the more there is something wrong with the person. I have my own "beliefs" about the origins of racism (etc. that I asked) but I wanted to know how others would answer these scientific questions. How did "the more light, the more right" originate? Can this view be romoved from the human family? If so, how in your opinion?

Answer 1

Good question. Has a complicated answer. I'll give it my best shot.

At it's core, racism is based in the human brain. We have an evolutionary fear of anything that is "different." There were reasons for this, in our dim and distant past. "Different" frequently WAS dangerous. "Different" could very well kill you.

Now, obviously, there wasn't usually time in said past to talk it out with whatever scared you. Our brains were forced to make snap judgments so we wouldn't get eaten. We have five physical senses with which to make these judgments. Now, if you can taste or touch it, it's probably too late already. So, we relied on our eyes, our ears, and to an extent, our noses, to tell us when something was different, and therefore possibly dangerous.

So: Does it look like me? Does it sound like me? Does it smell like me? If not, AVOID IT! This is built into our brains.

Obviously, different groups of humans who live in different parts of the world are going to look different. They're going to sound different. And because they have different diets, they're even going to smell different. (Scent is not one our stronger senses, but it's the one most deeply linked with memory and reaction.) So there is your biological basis for racism.

Culturally, it came from human need to explain things. One group meets another; they instinctively distrust each other. Why? They don't know. So they make up a story. "Their skin is too dark; they must have evil spirits dwelling in them." "Their skin is too light; they must have been cursed by the gods." On and on...you see where I'm going with this?

As for overcoming it...I think we can learn to overcome our instincts in this case. But its something that must be consciously taught, a continuing effort. We will never eliminate all of the differences, nor should we try. But we can learn to fear them less.

Answer 2

RE: Agellius CM

You said, "you may not know that Middle-Eastern Muslims used to look down on Europeans..." I don't doubt that among the Arab people there is racism, but I want to say this for the sake of fairness in these modern anti-Islamic times (I'm not a member of an organized religion:) their prophet, who is also a prophet to others, Muhammad renounced discrimination based on race in his final sermon.

Muhammad also said in his life that his community would go astray and I think that the racism that exists today among some who call themselves Muslims reflect this straying.

Answer 3

Up till a definite time in historical past the different became into real. Dr. Cress-Wesling supposes the beginning place or racism originated with the white guy's discovery of his genetic recessiveness.

Answer 4

Racism stems from evolutionists. Like Darwin and his book On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of FAVOURED RACES in the Struggle for Life.
Before this "race" ment people group like the European race or the Irish race

Answer 5

You may not know that Middle-Eastern Muslims used to look down on Europeans. They considered their pale skin color unattractive and sickly looking, and thought the Europeans were culturally backward -- which they were for quite while until they emerged from the Dark Ages. Switch the word "Middle-Eastern Muslims" and "Europeans" and they sound just like white racists.

The Japanese also have a history of considering themselves superior to people of other nations.

The Jews in the Bible for many centuries refused to interact or even speak with people from neighboring countries, whom they considered unclean.

Racism is not something unique to white Europeans.

Answer 6

People tend to be dualistic. It is a matter of seeing the world as two groups me/us and them. It is a very limited perspective, but the most common. It is the foundation of racism. I don't believe it will change greatly over time.

Answer 7

The origin of all bad things is sin. Specifically the cause is pride. It will be removed when JESUS returns. There will onlybe two kinds of people those who JESUS knows and those He doesn't. It won't matter what you look like it will be the condition of the inside.

Remember, GOD loves you even when you don't love Him!

Answer 8

For me, experiences have made me more racist than I was before they occurred. Better experiences would help, but they would eradicate the feelings I have. However, I take people on an individual basis. I am more cautious than I was before, though.

Answer 9

After God flooded the earth sin was still horribly going on So God made them speak different languages then he made there outward apperances different. God loves us all the same!! And so do I!! I am white but I absolutly LOVE african americans!! They are the SWEETEST PEOPLE IVE EVER MET!!! and I love hispantics too!! I am more racist against my own race for being racist agaist other people because of there color!! ITS STUPID AND GAY!! we didn't get to choose our color!!

Answer 10

races. if we see everyone as just humans and not as americans or french or whatever, maybe that's when racism will be reduced.