Why Are People Racist?

Why are people racist?

 

Because people are taught to make negative associations with certain skin colors or accents or forms of dress.

 

 

Chances are we are all "racist" to some degree. And chances are we do not all understand what racism is. According to Oxford English Dictionary, which you can access through Lupton Library, racism is "the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. Hence: prejudice and antagonism towards people of other races, esp. those felt to be a threat to one's cultural or racial integrity or economic well-being; the expression of such prejudice in words or actions."

 

 

Recent studies have found a correlation between positive and negative images and racist thoughts; check out "Uncovering What Makes People Racist--and How to Cure It." As the article and its links point out, the way to stop racism is to stop our minds from making negative connections based purely on racial or cultural identifiers. Once you recognize the negative connections you have learned to make you can teach yourself to override negative associations with new positive associations.

 

Here's to learning new things that make the world a better place for all!

 

Professor Repentista