essay on racism 200 words

• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

A Plus Topper

Improve your Grades

Racism Essay | Essay on Racism for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by Prasanna

Racism Essay: Racism can be defined as the belief that individual races of people have distinctive cultural features that are determined by the hereditary factors and hence make some races inherently superior to the others. The idea that one race has natural superiority than the others created abusive behaviour towards the members of other races. Racism, like discrimination towards women, is a form of discrimination and prejudice.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long and Short Essays on Racism for Students and Kids in English

We are providing children and students with essay samples on an extended essay of 500 words and a short piece of 150 words on the topic “Racism” for reference.

Long Essay on Racism 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Racism is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Racism is the illogical belief that a particular race has distinctive cultural traits endowed due to the genetic factors that make individual races inherently superior to the others and give them the right to exploit the inferior races. When we openly state the meaning of racism, we can see how inexplicable and unimaginable, such a thought is. But, racism is so deep-seated in our consciousness and subconsciousness that we have long bowed down to such infuriating ideals.

Such instances of subtle racism within a society are rampant and lead to inexcusable behaviour of people towards others. Such unjustifiable behaviour and actions are things like mental stress, social harassment, and even physical assaults. Since we have let racist comments and activities unnoticed, it is left untreated and leads to more division and anger between the two different people of different backgrounds. It is a never-ending, vicious cycle and a massive crisis in today’s world.

You can now access more Essay Writing on this topic and many more.

We should never judge others for the way they look for the way they speak. All people are born equal, and nothing can change that. Narrow-minded thoughts like racism should have extinguished with the increase in educated people and the intermixing of various races. Still, sadly, such behaviour is the blatant reality and shows no signs of toning down.

Racism makes people feel sorry for being born a certain way, of having a particular skin colour. Racism has no scientific explanation, and the racist people are entirely ignorant about the feelings of other human beings.

No one can choose to be black, white, dark, fair, or anything in particular. God has made us, and there is nothing that should make us feel guilty for that. It is ridiculous and inhumane to make fun of people due to their cultural background or colour of skin.

We keep talking about how modern society embraces diverse cultures and diverse people. We try to accomplish gigantic things like World Peace, eradicate hunger and poverty, but we are not ready to unite to make such changes happen.

Racism is a barrier between the social advancement of our society. It is impossible to achieve something great with such narrow-minded and exclusive ideals. It is a delicate topic and requires people to have an open mind and embrace the changes.

It is possible to eradicate racism in our society if we are more open about such sensitive topics and give simple matters like this a thought. Most of us are way too self-centred to think about such obstacles. It is so commonplace a behaviour that we forget its adverse effects. It is high time we made a change.

Since racism is such a deep-seated belief, we will need some time to change. But, we can achieve anything if we put our mind to it. We do not need racism to divide us. People should acknowledge the fact that to achieve anything significant. We need to let go of narrow-minded beliefs. Only then can we advance as a society of the world.

Short Essay on Racism 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Racism is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Racism is the prejudiced belief of people that a particular race is superior to others. The idea has resulted from years of neglection and oppression on some races for their traits and skin colour. Racism is a critical social barrier, which prevents our society from advancing.

Racism is a type of discrimination which makes the recipient feel bad about where they were born and how they look. It is an unscientific method of judging people.

Racism is so deep-seated in our culture that we think it to be the norm. The need to eradicate racism has come to highlight after a series of violent activities against people for their race.

We, as a society, need to let go of this narrow-minded thought that some people are inferior to others only because of what their skin colour is. Racism can only be removed by spreading awareness and correcting people when they make a racist comment. Together, we can fight against racism. Let us unite and eradicate racism once and for all.

10 Lines on Racism Essay in English

1. Racism is the wrong belief that some people are better and superior to others due to their genetic trait corresponding to their skin colour and race. 2. It refers to the thought that inherent physical appearance has a link with personality and intelligence. 3. Many corrupt people use racism as an excuse to justify horrific behaviour towards others. 4. The beginning of racism is somewhat unclear but might have originated when migration began. 5. People think that passing casual comments that link people’s work with their ethnicity is a joke. 6. Racism comes in several forms like symbolic, ideological, structural, interactional, etc. 7. Ideas and assumptions about racial categories dictate the behaviour of some people towards others. 8. Racism is a baseless and unscientific method of judging people. 9. Racism is a discriminatory process of thinking which is unacceptable. 10. We must correct people and not let casual racist comments pass when we hear them.

FAQ’s on Racism Essay

Question 1. What is racism?

Answer: Racism is hate towards people simply because of their differences. It is the enemy of freedom and should be washed away from society. Racism continues to grow alongside the technological advancements and education.

Question 2. Why do people pass racist comments?

Answer: Many people are unaware of their discriminatory behaviour towards their neighbours or peers due to apparent differences in their race. We have become so used to facing racism that we deem it as normal behaviour and let go of it.

Question 3. Why should we try to wipe out racism?

Answer: Racism is the barrier between the modernization of our society. There is no place for such unjustifiable behaviour in our community.

Question 4. What are the types of racism?

Answer: There are seven forms of racism. Some of them are symbolic, ideological, discursive, interactional, institutional, structural, and systemic racism.

• Picture Dictionary
• English Speech
• English Slogans
• English Letter Writing
• English Essay Writing
• English Textbook Answers
• Types of Certificates
• ICSE Solutions
• Selina ICSE Solutions
• ML Aggarwal Solutions
• HSSLive Plus One
• HSSLive Plus Two
• Kerala SSLC
• Distance Education

Essay on Racism

Students are often asked to write an essay on Racism in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

100 Words Essay on Racism

Understanding racism.

Racism is a belief that one race is superior to others. This harmful idea can lead to discrimination and prejudice.

Impact of Racism

Racism hurts people and communities. It can limit opportunities and create unfair situations.

Fighting Racism

250 words essay on racism, introduction.

Racism, a deeply rooted social issue, is a manifestation of prejudice and discrimination based on an individual’s perceived racial background. It is a global concern that permeates societies, often subtly influencing the dynamics of interaction and power distribution.

The Genesis of Racism

The impact of racism.

Racism’s impact is multilayered, affecting individuals, communities, and societies. It can cause psychological trauma, social alienation, and economic disparities. Moreover, it hampers social cohesion and progress, fostering division and conflict.

Combating Racism

Combating racism requires a multi-faceted approach. Education plays a crucial role in dispelling stereotypes and fostering understanding. Legal frameworks must enforce equality and prohibit racial discrimination. Additionally, individuals must challenge their own biases and stand against racism.

500 Words Essay on Racism

Racism, a deeply ingrained societal issue, has been a part of human history for centuries. It is a complex form of prejudice that discriminates against individuals or groups on the basis of their race or ethnicity. This essay explores the root causes, implications, and potential solutions to this pervasive issue.

Understanding the Roots of Racism

Racism is not an inherent human trait; it is a learned behavior. It often stems from ignorance and fear of the unknown, leading to a perceived threat from those who are different. This fear is often perpetuated by societal norms, media portrayal, and historical biases. For instance, colonial narratives have often painted the colonized as inferior, leading to long-lasting racial prejudices.

The Implications of Racism

The impact of racism is far-reaching. At an individual level, it can lead to psychological distress, lower self-esteem, and a sense of alienation. Systemic racism can result in unequal access to resources, opportunities, and justice. For instance, racial profiling can lead to discriminatory practices in law enforcement. At a societal level, racism can result in social unrest and division.

The Role of Education in Combating Racism

Education plays a crucial role in combating racism. A well-rounded education fosters empathy, understanding, and respect for diversity. It can dispel stereotypes and promote critical thinking, enabling individuals to challenge and reject racist ideologies. Furthermore, incorporating anti-racist education in curriculums can help students understand the historical context and systemic nature of racism, empowering them to become agents of change.

The Power of Legislation

While education is vital, it is not enough. Legislation that prohibits racial discrimination is crucial. Laws can provide a framework for equality, ensuring that individuals are not disadvantaged based on their race. However, legislation alone cannot eradicate racism; it must be complemented by societal change. Enforcement of these laws is equally important to ensure their effectiveness.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

Essay #8. Anti-Racism May Be An Answer

There’s one thing about writing about racism today. There will never be a shortage of material. It seems there will always be someone, somewhere, who will eventually say something racist. Everyday people say racist things. Famous people say racist things. The difference is, the famous have more to lose than the rest of us–or do they? Because their racist rants oftentimes find their way into mainstream and social media, we find out about it sooner or later. The rest of us can say our racist comments in the privacy of our homes and among our friends. Remember when Hulk Hogan became the newest celebrity to add his name to the racist rant hall of fame? I liked the character Hulk Hogan. So, it saddened me to learn about his racist rant. If you remember, Hulk Hogan apparently got upset with his daughter after finding out she was dating a Black man. He then went on an “N” word rant, which was taped. The taping was 8 years prior but brought back to life and made public. From the news account, I remember listening to it and from a reporter who grew up loving Hulk Hogan, it was bad. The WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) cut all ties with Hulk Hogan. I mean the WWE excommunicated him to the land of nonexistence. To his credit Hulk Hogan apologized profusely. But what else was he going to do?

Is the WWE’s punishment going to undo, un-hurt or fix any problems in the Black community? Is the WWE’s punishment going to help teach society not to say or do such racist things? The answer is no. Like I’ve said to you several times before, racism is an on-purpose act that must be undone, on-purpose. I think the WWE should have given Hulk Hogan a chance to undo his racist rant, by sending him to (in this case) a Black school or youth center and let him tell the kids and their parents why he’s sorry for what he said. I think WWE and Hulk Hogan should have gone into their pockets and fix a problem in a poor Black school district. I think the WWE and Hulk Hogan should have started an after-school tutoring program to help Black kids do better in their school. This would have been an anti-racist act. This would have started the process of un-doing racism. If Hulk Hogan had made racist comments about Mexican people, Asian people, Native Indian people, or women, then what I’m talking about would apply to those communities. The same goes for any other race or group of people that have been offended by racist and hateful acts or comments perpetrated by wealthy people or organizations.

My point is, apologies aren’t enough. With all the racist rants and acts that are going on in this country, nothing is being done to undo racism. Firing people who make racist, sexist or any other hateful comments, doesn’t do anything for those communities or people hurt by the comments. An anti-racism approach needs to be taken. These communities need to demand more than apologies. Firing people who make racist comments does not educate or re-educate anyone. If society stays uneducated, racism will continue; Headline: “Racist person fired! End of Racism!”–probably not.

From Racist to Non-Racist to Anti-Racist: Becoming a Part of the Solution Copyright © 2001, 2020 by Keith L. Anderson, PhD is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Social Issues

Essay Samples on Racism

Racism in the justice system: unveiling disparities.

The presence of racism in the justice system is a deeply concerning issue that raises questions about fairness, equality, and the principles upon which modern societies are built. The justice system is intended to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice for all, regardless...

• American Criminal Justice System

"The New Jim Crow" Book Review: Mass Incarceration and Racial Injustice

Michelle Alexander's groundbreaking book, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," is a searing critique of the American criminal justice system's discriminatory impact on Black communities. This book review essay delves into the key themes of the book, including the concept...

• Mass Incarceration

Was the Reconstruction Era a Success or Failure: A Look Through Sport

The competitive sport of basketball traces its origins to a game known as peach basketball. In 1891, Dr. James Naismith invented basketball at Springfield College, Massachusetts. Initially, peach baskets without openings at the bottom served as goals, requiring the use of ladders to retrieve the...

• Reconstruction Era of The United States

Unveiling the Dangers of Color Blind Racism: Ignorance, Indifference, and Inequality

The feasibility of racism has becoming such an immense issue that people are starting to refer to themselves as “color blind,” meaning they cannot see different skin colors. According to reliable sources, the term “color blind,” in this case does not actually mean someone cannot...

• Racial Discrimination

Towards a World Without Prejudice: The Path to Ending Racism

Introduction Racism is the belief in the superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination towards people based on their race or ethnicity. Racism may also be defined as the hatred of one person by another because of the skin color, language,...

Stressed out with your paper?

Consider using writing assistance:

• 100% unique papers
• 3 hrs deadline option

The Problem of Police Brutality and Racism in Britain

Introduction Police racism in Britain dates back notably to April 1981 in the Brixton riots where black men were reportedly being maltreated by police (BBC News,2020). Police racism in Britain is understood to be manifested by police discretion that is inevitable in policing- where police...

• Police Brutality

The Effects of Racism in Today's World: Psychological and Cultural Implications

Introduction In his thought-provoking piece, 'Words That Wound,' Mr. Richard Delgado sheds light on the enduring presence of racism and its profound effects on American society. Delgado argues that racial slurs and stigmatization have far-reaching consequences, resulting in psychological and cultural issues for minority groups...

The Issue of Racism in Soccer: Causes, Effects, and Ways to Combat

Introduction Picture yourself as a person of color, having to confront racism in the profession you cherish. Wouldn't you long to release all that anger and frustration? Unfortunately, this is the reality for the black community and people of color in the realm of sports,...

Racism in Malaysia as an Element of Contemporary Malaysian Culture

Malaysia has been well-known as a harmonious nation of multiracial and multicultural society. However, the reality does not actually match the rhetoric. Racial tensions between its Malay majority and sizeable ethnic Chinese and Indian communities constantly exist. Malaysian government policies have for decades provided advantages...

Racism in Healthcare: Examining Patient-Provider Communication and Health Disparities

Introduction Over years racism has been a constant in societal issues. This literature review highlights important questions about racism, patient/provider communications, and health disparities. What is the best way to understand racism in healthcare, is there evidence to support these claims in the U.S. healthcare...

• Health Care

Racism and Inequality: Barriers to Education for Black Americans

Introduction Inequality and racism have long been pervasive issues affecting the education of Black Americans. Throughout history, Black Americans have faced oppression and the denial of basic human rights, including access to education. Despite these challenges, many Black individuals recognized the importance of education in...

• Inequality in Education

Dear Martin: Depiction of Racism in Nic Stone's Novel

Introduction 'Dear Martin' is an excellent novel for young adults written by American author Nic Stone. This is her debut novel and it specializes in discussing and portraying racism in the society. The novel is about an African American high school student named Justyce who...

• Racial Profiling

Cultural Differences and Racism in "The Great Gatsby"

Introduction As America set upon the year 1920, our nation found itself once again, divided. In the time period that historians commonly refer to as ‘the cultural civil war’ many conflicts arose between new wealth and old wealth, pro-Prohibitionists and anti-Prohibitionists, older generations and younger...

• The Great Gatsby

An Overview of the Causes of Racism and Its Effects on Society

Cause and Effect: Racism Racism is a pervasive social issue that involves discrimination based on an individual's race. While many people are familiar with the concept of racism, there is a lack of understanding regarding its true nature and the profound impact it has on...

"To Kill a Mockingbird": Racism and Its Impact on the Novel's Characters

Introduction In the book 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, racism is an ongoing theme that significantly impacts several characters, including Tom Robinson, Jem, Scout, and Atticus Finch. The narrative contains numerous instances where racism plays a substantial role and affects various aspects of...

• To Kill a Mockingbird

"The Help": Racism and Its Types in Kathryn Stockett’s Novel

Introduction Published in 2009, Kathryn Stockett's novel, "The Help," delves into the profound issue of racism in the Southern United States. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, from late summer 1962 through 1964, the book portrays the relationships between white and black Americans, bringing to light the...

Is The Criminal Justice System Is Institutionaly Racist 

Dating back to the 1960s UK antagonizing immigrants, or even since the slave trade was abolished, institutional racism has been an existing, developing, and prevalent force within the criminal justice system. The MacPherson Inquiry (1999), which examined the original Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) investigation into...

Racism In "A Raisin In The Sun" By Lorraine Hansberry

In the play, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry the reader is introduced to characters who have different experiences as African Americans due to the changing era and generational gaps. The play is taken place after a war in Chicago where slavery was...

• A Raisin in The Sun
• African American

Addressing Contemporary Racism In The U.s.

“The American Dream” is one of the many reasons as to why so many people from all over the world are so attracted to The United States. It is home to more than 45.5 million immigrants and it is the country with the highest number...

• Trail of Tears

Suffering Of The Black Women In Alan Patonꞌs Novel Cry, The Beloved Country

Abstract The paper focused on depiction of black female characters in Paton’s cry, the beloved country. By means of textual analysis, the study examined how the representation of female characters in this novel reflected the life of black woman in South African society in the...

• Cry, the Beloved Country

Definition Of Racial Segregation, Its Impacts And Means To Abolish It

No one wants to have to live in a world where your own race/culture only associates with your own race. Most people need other races and cultures to compete against to keep them from thinking that they are the best. I’m interested in this topic...

• Racial Segregation
• Segregation in Schools

Portrayal Of The Issue Of Racism In Movies And Articles

Racism has always been an issue in the world. Today, I will connect racism with four different films, powerpoints, and articles. I will talk about four films which are Jim & Jane Crow, White Like Me, Chinese Exclusion Act, and The Abolitionist Part 1. The...

• Harriet Tubman

History Of African American Social Segregation And Discrimination

For centuries, the oppression that African Americans have faced is horrendous. During slavery and segregation, they were put at the bottom of a racial hierarchy. As a result of the immoral acts that millions of Africans Americans faced in the past, many thought taking their...

Narrative Fiction On Racism In America Of The 21st Century

Racism is a serious problem in many societies all around the world which, can take place in just anywhere such as in schools, colleges, workplaces especially, in multicultural countries like America. Racism can be defined simply as a belief, attitude and action that subordinates a...

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Uncle Tom's Cabin

Glory Film Review: A Multifaceted Definition Of Racism

In the historic Academy Award-winning drama film, Glory, it tells the true story regarding the first all-African-American regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Glory narrates the civil war year in which a white officer led a group of black slaves to fight with the South...

• Film Analysis

Oroonoko And His Path To Enlightenment

Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko, written with dedicated themes of racism, freedom, and slavery, are a vivid representation of the 18th century. During this time, enlightenment was exemplified, and the age saw violent slave trading on a global scale. It is clear to see why such topics...

Negative Impact Of Ku Klux Klan On Society

Ku Klux Klan since it began has brought more harm than good, it has led to the destruction of property, loss of lives, infringement of peoples’ rights and created division along with the ethnic groups. This paper is therefore set to explore how Ku Klux...

• Ku Klux Klan
• White Privilege

Invisible Man By Ralph Ellison: Struggles Of The Black Man In White Society

“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”(Mahatma Gandhi). By harshly penalizing those who we deem deviant, we ourselves exhibit an absence of morality. During the 1930s, people of color experienced increased segregation, prejudice ideologies, and a lack of social...

• Invisible Man

Understanding White Privilege Within American Society

Meritocracy is a concept very alive within American society. It is a concept where a person’s will and their choices are the main reason for their success or lack thereof. Within this article Dr. Peggy Mcintosh makes a correlation between white privilege and male privilege...

• White American

Poor Treatment Of African Americans In The United States

Introduction In recent times Black victims of police brutality have become more than just a statistic, they have become another reason for Black Lives Matter to protest. With the rise of social media over the last decade, this has given the African American community a...

• Black Lives Matter
• Rodney King

Connections Between E.B White’s Books Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web and the Issue of Racism in the 1950s

Thesis Statement In E. B White’s books Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web, White writes about characters and the ways they adapt to changes in their lives, which can also be seen throughout the 1950s during a time of segregation and racism. Purpose Statement The purpose...

• Charlotte’s Web

The Effect of Racism in Modern Society: A Research

Introduction Throughout the course of human existence, racism has persisted as a pervasive aspect of society. It has tormented the minds of civilizations, leading them to commit numerous atrocities and wreak havoc. This harmful belief has greatly impeded humanity's social progress, retarding it to a...

• Modern Society

Skin Bleaching As A Physical Form Of Racism

America is the known for being called land of the free. To the black men, you are free to be belittled by the police, and free to die innocently because others fear the color of your skin. To the women, you are free to be...

Best topics on Racism

1. Racism in the Justice System: Unveiling Disparities

2. “The New Jim Crow” Book Review: Mass Incarceration and Racial Injustice

3. Was the Reconstruction Era a Success or Failure: A Look Through Sport

4. Unveiling the Dangers of Color Blind Racism: Ignorance, Indifference, and Inequality

5. Towards a World Without Prejudice: The Path to Ending Racism

6. The Problem of Police Brutality and Racism in Britain

7. The Effects of Racism in Today’s World: Psychological and Cultural Implications

8. The Issue of Racism in Soccer: Causes, Effects, and Ways to Combat

9. Racism in Malaysia as an Element of Contemporary Malaysian Culture

10. Racism in Healthcare: Examining Patient-Provider Communication and Health Disparities

11. Racism and Inequality: Barriers to Education for Black Americans

12. Dear Martin: Depiction of Racism in Nic Stone’s Novel

13. Cultural Differences and Racism in “The Great Gatsby”

14. An Overview of the Causes of Racism and Its Effects on Society

15. “To Kill a Mockingbird”: Racism and Its Impact on the Novel’s Characters

• Gender Equality
• Women's Rights
• Pornography
• Gender Inequality
• Death Penalty

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Racism: A Cause and Effect Essay Sample

Talking about the widespread topic of racism, there is a need to involve an official word that is referred to in many essays. It states: Racism is the process by which systems, policies, and attitudes create inequitable opportunities and outcomes for people based on race. Racism is more than just prejudice in thought or action. It occurs when it – whether individual or institutional – is accompanied by the power to discriminate against, oppress, or limit the civil rights of others.

The essence of racism is in the interpretation of differences as natural, as well as in establishing the connection between difference and domination. Racism first interprets differences as “natural” and then links them to existing relations of domination. Groups that are higher than others in the hierarchy are thereby “natural” right of superiority. Describing racism with the help of the cause and effect of racism essay is a brilliant idea. Get sure of it yourself by reading further!

If you need more in-deep research on a similar subject, feel free to use Edusson’s professional custom essay writing help . Racism is a scourge that has been present in societies around the world since antiquity, and it is still present today. Despite many efforts to eradicate it, its effects still remain, which is why it is necessary to understand the cause and effects of racism in order to combat it. This can help you with homework if you’re writing a racism cause and effect essay, as understanding the causes of racism can help you determine the most effective solutions for its eradication.

Cause and Effect of Racism

The phenomenon of modern racism is neither a recent invention of history nor purely European and was actively developing in the United States. As a form of xenophobia, racism has been inherent in people since ancient times. Racism has its own forms in different countries because of specific features: historical, cultural, and other factors. Use this cause and effect essay writing example to get information through the essays on how slavery causes racism, and racial discrimination in general: what causes racism, the effects of racism, and how African-Americans lives were neglected throughout history.

Cause 1 – Xenophobia

The leading cause of racism as a phenomenon is stated to be xenophobia. This topic is greatly researched in related books or different scientific essays and works. Racism is, to a large extent, xenophobia based on the visible difference in appearance. As a type of xenophobia, racism is an irrational but natural reaction of people to the foreign and unknown. However, racism is by no means exhausted by xenophobia alone. The level of rejection and intolerance in society directly depends on the development of a particular country. In the most developed countries, where the intellectual level of the population allows rejecting stupid superstitions about the differences between people, xenophobic attitudes are separate cases and take place as an exception.

Cause 2 – Straightforward Conclusions

Another cause of racial inequality is the destructive ability of many people to jump to quick conclusions, especially judging others because of their appearance, apparel, speech, and other visible traits. Mainly, it intensifies that because of the media representations of races, creating specific racial beliefs. Such cliches aren’t always harmful, like how Asian people are stereotyped as intelligent. But in the minds of undereducated people, quick judgments can play a bad thing and significantly influence how people are perceived.

Finished papers

Customer reviews

Cause 3 – Keeping the Status Quo

Keeping the status quo means, in simple words, the desire to keep the peace, avoid conflicts and clashes, and maintain law and order. Research from viral essays shows that when people believe in racial ideas, e.g., that blacks are inherently more violent and dangerous – they aren’t disturbed by police brutality or mass incarceration. “Keeping the peace” becomes more important than justice and equality.

Cause 4 – Media Impact

How modern media (TV, music industry, cinematography, etc.) describes race has a big influence on society’s race perception. As far as the media shows us our culture from an exaggerated point of view, it keeps racial stereotypes alive and well and therefore fuels racism. Racism cases appear in the media in a very subtle manner, without negative intent, but unfortunately, work the opposite. The most common thing for American society in this matter is representing a black person as a perpetrator of violent crimes or giving examples of stories related to theft and poverty. Such generalizations have a bad influence on society, as the perception of specific circles of people is formed according to the wrong representation.

Cause 5 – Blaming Others for Our Problems

Last but not least, the subjective reason for racism is that we blame others for our problems. When individuals feel mad or miserable, they often want to shift the problem to someone else’s shoulders and blame anyone but them for their problems. As a society, we act the same. Members of each race who look or behave differently from us are easy targets. You should have heard phrases like ‘Mexicans take all our workplaces’. This statement is absolutely false, though it sounds like a perfect justification for those who cannot find a job for a while and feel anger which translates to insecure people.

Writing essays on such a topic is challenging and demands a good understanding of a problem and statement of thought. If you like the structure of this article, check other cause and effect essay ideas to develop the skill of writing qualitative essays. The main part – the effects of racism – is ahead. Keep reading!

Racism and Its Effects

Racism and its effects can appear in different ways. There are many essays by the victims, who were either facing racism on a daily basis or had a frightening experience once in a lifetime. We have highlighted 5 effects of racism.

Physical Impacts of Racism

The physical threat is among the worst effects of racism. If an individual ever becomes a victim of racist aggression, he could have serious physical injuries that can end up with a disability, which in fact, is a common thing. This is a superior case of all the spectrum of racial issues today, because views, roles in society, or simply belonging to different races cannot be the causes of racism.

Effect on Mental Health

As we can see from the previous paragraph, racism can have a deeply no good effect on people’s mental health and health commonly. Experiencing discrimination can lead to feelings of humiliation when others make you feel like you are less worthy. Racism can sabotage people’s dignity, forcing them to adjust their usual behavior to the norms of another group of people who consider themselves better or higher. Such effects of racism lead from infrequent situations to changing whole daily routines ( for example, bypassing particular places or skipping activities, being afraid of leaving the house or traveling alone, changing clothes, etc. ). It can also lead to other emotional impacts such as distress, PTSD, insomnia, depression, fear, a sense of isolation, and a lack of trust in people.

When a person gets into a stressful situation, his body prepares to respond. The heart begins to beat faster, blood pressure rises, and breathing quickens as the body releases stress hormones. It is a natural way of preparing the body to deal with stress. But when a stressor, such as structural racism, never goes away, the body can remain in that tense state.

Social Consequences of Racism

Handling racism can lead to feeling inferior, isolated, of less worth, and even having questions about own existence in this world. Such an effect of racism – having less trust in other people – explains the reasons why African-Americans feel so insecure in any social circle where some whites belong too. So, if a person faces repeated harassment in any form, like skin color racism in schools, it can affect their social circles and add more challenges to it. Such an issue can prevent us from building a circle of friends or settling down for a family. Other effects of racism are institutional racism (where all of the ongoing advantages are given to white people) and housing discrimination can also create obstacles to free and healthy life in society.

Effect on Economy and Personal Finances

Discrimination has financial consequences too. It has been proved that people encountering racism tend to face obstacles to employment, fair payment levels, and discrimination when trying to access housing or financial help, especially with a child today. The same thing with discrimination from landlords and an issue with transportation. Many people who can be discriminated against by any visual sign tend to avoid public places or take walks to get places due to frequent incidents in transport, which affect their financial status too. Racial discrimination hurts those it affects. It also costs money. A recent study estimated the economic influence of racism at nearly $2 trillion a year in the United States alone.

How Does Racism Affect Families, Communities, and Society?

Racial belief can have a no good influence not only on a person who directly experienced it but also on his family, the community, or even the whole world. Racism cases lead to anxiety and stress spreading through the community every day, especially when there is no good response from the leaders or local people. And sometimes, even governmental structures stop defending the civil rights of African Americans in favor of other time-consuming questions. As a result, people in communities that have gotten used to being held together can become isolated and torn apart. Such a break of social bounds can more likely lead to criminal actions than racial differences.

To understand the white American racial theories, there should be solid essays review on the topic. And even after that, you will probably decide on the side of equal rights of all people independently on any features.

Racism has become one of the most burning social issues of our time, so it’s often the topic of discussion in educational institutions. As a result, more and more students have to write a college essay on racism, exploring its causes and effects. One of the most common sources of racism is a lack of understanding and communication between different cultural groups. To tackle this, it’s essential to have someone write a college essay that covers different perspectives on racism and helps to bridge the gap between different cultures and ethnic groups. To do this, many students find essay writers for hire to ensure their paper is well-written and engaging. Writing an essay about racism can be difficult, as there are many sensitive topics to address. It is important to be mindful when writing a racism cause and effect essay, as the writer must acknowledge all sides of the argument.

European Convention on Human Rights states: ‘The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in the Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, color, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or another status.’ and these words seem to be right.

Related posts:

• The Great Gatsby (Analyze this Essay Online)
• Pollution Cause and Effect Essay Sample
• Essay Sample on How Can I Be a Good American
• The Power of Imaging: Why I am Passionate about Becoming a Sonographer

Improve your writing with our guides

Youth Culture Essay Prompt and Discussion

Why Should College Athletes Be Paid, Essay Sample

Reasons Why Minimum Wage Should Be Raised Essay: Benefits for Workers, Society, and The Economy

Get 15% off your first order with edusson.

Connect with a professional writer within minutes by placing your first order. No matter the subject, difficulty, academic level or document type, our writers have the skills to complete it.

100% privacy. No spam ever.

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essay Examples >
• Essays Topics >
• Essay on Racism

Good Example Of Racism Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Racism , Social Issues , People , Race , Family , Children , Color , Sociology

Words: 2250

Published: 12/05/2021

ORDER PAPER LIKE THIS

Racism has occurred throughout history and has been remaining an important problem from now and always. It has a negative impact on selected groups of people, discriminates their rights, and gives rise to social distract and disrespect. Despite the fact the most critical rasism manifestations in the United States of America has been left in the past, the modern world full of immigrants is still given to its influence, what, in turn, becomes an important problem of society. The goal of this paper is to look at manifestations of racism in the modern world, study its reasons and explain negative consequences, and try to find a response for a question how the problem of racism could be possibly solved. What would it take to solve the question of racism and to become color-blind? To rid the world of racism the one must acknowledge the racism, hate and discrimination they have learned and choose to no longer give those thoughts and feelings any power than educate others, especially the young generation. For a start, it is necessary to understand that racism is a clash of different cultures. It is often difficult for one people to appreciate and embrace ideals and beliefs of other ones. This conflict has reflected in land settlements and conquests in different historical times, such as Anti-Semitism, slavery times in the United States, Spanish settlement in the Philippines, etc. Nowadays, in the age of immigration, migration, and interracial collaboration, relationship between white and colored people became an essential part of everyday life, and at the same time they became a key to increase of common ground between people of different skin color and to solving an issue of racism. However, colored people still face some conflicts during their assimilation into Western society. Quoting Mead, Hall states that Western people possess strong sense of self (Hall, 28). Imitating them, colored people begin to alienate themselves from their ancestry and culture, and to adopt Western ideas about who people of other races should be and what place should come in. Hall says that the more non-Western people incorporate a negative image of their races into their individuality, the more they will be dishonored in the cognitive of who they are (Hall, 28). This leads to decrease of self-esteem and taking the fact colored people could never be the same as the white ones. Quoting Maslow, Hall writes that desire of self-developing is common and natural for every person (Hall, 28). But, influenced by Western society convictions, colored people lose this desire; in their minds it becomes expressed less and less. They start to expend fewer efforts and, thus, cannot achieve their goals. Of course, those colored people who got lots of family love and leant how to respect themselves in childhood, can face these difficulties and proudly wend their way through life, but not everybody can do this. Lack of self-belief is widespread even among Western people, especially teenagers, and naturally becomes usual practice for living in Western countries colored ones. However, visual manifestations of racism and existence of aggressively disposed racists are not the only problem. Another important part of this detraction of colored people is aversive racism. Pearson states that aversive racism is developed indirectly and reflexively (Pearson, 1). Together with his colleagues, he underlines that the challenge of aversive racism lies in a fundamental disagreement between mind and action (Pearson, 19). In other words, aversive racism means that some people are sure they are not racists, but their thoughts are remote from their actions. Quoting Dovidio, Person states, “Aversive racists are characterized as having egalitarian conscious, or explicit, attitudes but negative unconscious, or implicit, racial attitudes” (Pearson 4). Bright examples of aversive racism are seen in social politics, from health indices to disparities in medical treatment, level of wages and salaries, to access to basic services like education, housing, employment, etc. Also, Blacks and Whites have different opinions about the importance of race in American society. National surveys show that about 75% of Blacks and only 30% of Whites hold that racial discrimination is a major factor appointing disparities in income and education levels, and remaining 70% of Whites say they are satisfied with how Blacks are treated (Pearson, 2). The roots of aversive racism lie in history; social categorization is a largely automatic process nowadays. As it was mentioned above, Westerns have strong sense of self; this results in automatic recognition of similar to them people as intelligent, educated, and successful, while Blacks are considered to be lazy, aggressive, and impulsive (Blair, 2001). According to Sidanius, it also should be mentioned that another partials of negative racial attitudes are intergroup processes and perceived competition over material resources (Sidanius, 1999). The main danger of aversive rasism lies in hypocrisy; deeds of aversive racists usually are latent. They will never do something people around could see and judge, but their acts will harm colored ones while aversive racists themselves still remain non-prejudiced for others. Thus, the consequences of aversive racism can be more severe than the ones from its simple, or dominative variation. In order to understand the consequences of racial discrimination, it is necessary to overlook its impact on colored people in modern society. Discrimination of colored people exists in all life spheres: health, education, employment, the media, the administration of justice, etc. Talking about racism, Boyle states that negative meanings to differences seem natural, but are not natural at all; it is just the thing people learn and is therefore the thing they can unlearn (Boyle, 1). Racism and anti-racism, first of all, are battle of ideas. Diene notices that interconnectedness of the world and high speed of globalization are not able to demise racism but, on the contrary, can give it a boost (Boyle, 3). He also underlines an importance of terrorist offenses in suspicious and anxious relations to colored people and their part in growth of racism (Boyle, 3). Indeed, the problem of growth of global terrorism and increasing of different terror groups are due in no small part to the question of racism and just activate additional racist movements. Racism highly influences on mental health of colored people. Williams and Mohammed state that racism is one of the main health determinants, and it has an impact in social status, proximal pathways, and responses to them (Williams, 1157). Living under the pressure of racism is always stressful; it is an everyday battle, everyday resistance and self-esteem examination resulted in affecting central nervous system and immune, causing anxiety, depression, fear, and panic attacks. In conditions of Western supremacy, colored people start to think about how it would be if they had been born with white skin and how much better then would their life be. However, not only going throw manifestations of racism hurts people but anticipating of it also. Sawyer et al. studied that expectation of being discriminated causes heightened vigilance that can lead to activation of nervousness, negative emotional state, increasing of blood pressure, and sympathetic nervous system activation (Sawyer et al., 1026). Colored teenagers have the largest risk of appearing of health consequences caused by racism, but the co-occurrence of multiple diseases increases with age. Williams and Mohammed argue that throughout history racial variations in heath have been explained as biological and genetic, but indeed institutional and cultural forms of racism have always been and continued to be main contributors to initiating racial inequalities in a broad range of social outcomes that, in turn, lead to creating inequalities in health (Williams, 1166). In order to solve the problem of racism it is necessary for parents to explain their children racial differences and to teach them that people with other skin color are not better or worse than Whites. Children start to ask questions in early years, but rather often their parents do not give them proper answers. Derman-Sparks states that adults often think that children are color-blind and non-prejudiced, and they will grow with the same view if nobody tells them about racism (Derman-Sparks, 2). However, denial and avoidance are not the best decisions. Children in the United States start to understand that they differ from their comrades with another skin color at an early age, even at a very early age. Ignorance of racism and importance of being anti-racist can lead to intellectual damage and dehumanization of children. Quoting Katz, Derman-Sparks states, “Racism and ethnocentrism envelop them so that they are unable to experience themselves and their culture as [they are]” (Derman-Sparks, 2). And an understanding of racism is necessary not only for Western children, but for Third World ones also. Colored children should learn how to respect themselves, grow self-esteem, how to value traditions and culture of their ethnicity. They should accept that nature made them different, but it is not bad; it is not a sentence and they should live their lives the way they would like to without being pinched or despised. In solving the problem of racism, it is hard to underestimate the role of education and laws. According to January-Bardill, the United States adopted bigger amount laws aimed to solve the problem of racism than any other human rights issue (Boyle, 4). But it is known that the question of racism in the United States is more critical than in any other countries. Interracial conflicts here appear more often, and sometimes without serious reasons, and interracial relations are tenser. Becoming color-blind, respecting each other and people of other races is a very pressing problem for Americans. Tomasevski offers to integrate learning of human rights into academic programs in schools, colleges, and universities (Boyle, 4). In her opinion, this can significantly decrease racial prejudices and intolerance. If children are begirded with the idea of equal rights for everybody, color-blindness, and, hence, anti-racism not only, for example, in their families but also in social environment where they spend a lot of time, it could lead to upbringing in them tolerance to colored people and understanding of their culture and beliefs. This, also, will help children, whose parents are racists, to make a right decision; their view on races will be dual, with benefits and implications of each position, its reasons and consequences. The problem of racism is discussed on a worldwide basis. On the one hand, such careful attention to problems of discrimination is laudable, but, on the contrary, all these anti-racism laws and politics people can see nowadays bring too much notice to difference between races. Most talks and discussions about racism are needless, and they hamper acceptance of white and colored people as equal every time underlining their distinctions again and again. Solving the problem of racism requires tolerance and understanding, maybe knowing biological reasons of why people on the Earth are so different, and agreement with them. The basics of being color-blind should be learnt from an early childhood, engrained by parents in their children, without any additional news about interracial occurrences of no importance and additional attention to race stratification existing in the modern world. In conclusion, it is necessary to say that racism is the global problem of humanity, one of the most important ones. It affects not only the social life of colored people, but at the same time their health and self-esteem, and the only reason of such their detraction is belonging to race and culture different from Western. Nobody can choose of what race and with what skin color he or she will be born, and, naturally, nobody should suffer because of something he or she could not have an impact on. People should comprehend this and get to be more large-hearted and broad-minded, should learn how to become color-blind and to judge people by their deeds, not ideals and skin. They should get clear sight of what racism is, how proved its reasons are, and how significant are its consequences for people with other skin color literally for nothing special. And, what is more important, they should teach these simple principles their children, both in family and at school. Then the problem of racism could be solved.

Derman-Sparks, L., Higa, C. T., and Sparks, B. (1980). Children, Race and Racism: How Race Awareness Develops. Interracial Books for Children Bulletin, 11, 3-4. Blair, I. V. (2001). Implicit stereotypes and prejudice. In G. B. Moskowitz (Ed.), Cognitive social psychology: The Princeton Symposium on the Legacy and Future of Social Cognition. pp. 359–374. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. Boyle, K. (ed.) (2005). Dimensions of Racism. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). New York and Geneva. Retrieved from http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/DimensionsRacismen.pdf Pearson, A. R., Dovidio, J. F., and Gaertner S. L. (2009). The Nature of Contemporary Prejudice: Insights from Aversive Racism. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 3, 1-25. Racism in the 21st Century: An Empirical Analysis of Skin Color. Edited by Ronald E. Hall (2010). Berlin: Springer. Sawyer, P. J., Major, B., Casad, B. J., Townsend, S. S. M., & Mendes, W. B. (2012). Discrimination and the stress response: Psychological and physiological consequences of anticipating prejudice in interethnic interactions. American Journal of Public Health, 102 (5), 1020-1026. Sidanius, J., and Pratto, F. (1999). Social Dominance: An Intergroup Theory of Social Hierarchy and Oppression. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Williams, David R. and Mohammed, Selina A. (2013). Racism and Health I: Pathways and Scientific Evidence. American Behavioral Scientist, 57(8), 1152-1173.

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 2806

This paper is created by writer with

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

Nasal reports, rethinking reports, database management system reports, sequel reports, vacancy reports, gossip reports, sentiment reports, vagus reports, estuary reports, credit score argumentative essays, thal essays, chicago house essays, osi restaurant partners essays, mary poppins essays, biblical interpretation essays, racial stereotypes essays, social cognition essays, saws essays, management services essays, lost horizon essays, good book review about bless me ultima and analyzing how the novels theme and literary devices, good example of essay on national debt and deficit, chinese buddhist conception of the afterlife term paper sample, good essay on history, good example of research paper on post world war i situation, good example of italian renaissance in florence essay, free essay about a study of the impact of parents occupational engagement and marital status on, free developmental delay research paper example, environmental ethics essays example, good research paper about green ordinance for a city, free supply and demand essay sample, example of research paper on obesity in middle school, scientific method in homosexuality essays examples, good report on reflective process journal, good example of shock advertising report, sample essay on 3 subject magic flute, good research paper on anxiety in adolescent sports, example of course work on the faith baptist church, free using contemporary policy examples explain what the three faces of power teach essay sample, good article review about combinational communication in bacteria, photosynthesis essay, sylvia plath literature review sample, free report on drug testing in companies.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

Race in America

A Smithsonian magazine special report

History | June 4, 2020

158 Resources to Understand Racism in America

These articles, videos, podcasts and websites from the Smithsonian chronicle the history of anti-black violence and inequality in the United States

Meilan Solly

Associate Editor, History

In a short essay published earlier this week, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch wrote that the recent killing in Minnesota of George Floyd has forced the country to “confront the reality that, despite gains made in the past 50 years, we are still a nation riven by inequality and racial division.”

Amid escalating clashes between protesters and police, discussing race—from the inequity embedded in American institutions to the United States’ long, painful history of anti-black violence—is an essential step in sparking meaningful societal change. To support those struggling to begin these difficult conversations, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture recently launched a “ Talking About Race ” portal featuring “tools and guidance” for educators, parents, caregivers and other people committed to equity.

“Talking About Race” joins a vast trove of resources from the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to understanding what Bunch describes as America’s “tortured racial past.” From Smithsonian magazine articles on slavery’s Trail of Tears and the disturbing resilience of scientific racism to the National Museum of American History’s collection of Black History Month resources for educators and a Sidedoor podcast on the Tulsa Race Massacre, these 158 resources are designed to foster an equal society, encourage commitment to unbiased choices and promote antiracism in all aspects of life. Listings are bolded and organized by category.

Table of Contents

1. Historical Context

2. Systemic Inequality

3. Anti-Black Violence

5. Intersectionality

6. Allyship and Education

Historical Context

Between 1525 and 1866, 12.5 million people were kidnapped from Africa and sent to the Americas through the transatlantic slave trade . Only 10.7 million survived the harrowing two month journey. Comprehending the sheer scale of this forced migration—and slavery’s subsequent spread across the country via interregional trade —can be a daunting task, but as historian Leslie Harris told Smithsonian ’s Amy Crawford earlier this year, framing “these big concepts in terms of individual lives … can [help you] better understand what these things mean.”

Take, for instance, the story of John Casor . Originally an indentured servant of African descent, Casor lost a 1654 or 1655 court case convened to determine whether his contract had lapsed. He became the first individual declared a slave for life in the United States. Manuel Vidau , a Yoruba man who was captured and sold to traders some 200 years after Casor’s enslavement, later shared an account of his life with the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, which documented his remarkable story—after a decade of enslavement in Cuba, he purchased a share in a lottery ticket and won enough money to buy his freedom—in records now available on the digital database “ Freedom Narratives .” (A separate, similarly document-based online resource emphasizes individuals described in fugitive slave ads , which historian Joshua Rothman describes as “sort of a little biography” providing insights on their subjects’ appearance and attire.)

Finally, consider the life of Matilda McCrear , the last known survivor of the transatlantic slave trade. Kidnapped from West Africa and brought to the U.S. on the Clotilda , she arrived in Mobile, Alabama, in July 1860—more than 50 years after Congress had outlawed the import of enslaved labor. McCrear, who died in 1940 at the age of 81 or 82, “ displayed a determined, even defiant streak ” in her later life, wrote Brigit Katz earlier this year. She refused to use her former owner’s last name, wore her hair in traditional Yoruba style and had a decades-long relationship with a white German man.

How American society remembers and teaches the horrors of slavery is crucial. But as recent studies have shown, many textbooks offer a sanitized view of this history , focusing solely on “positive” stories about black leaders like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass . Prior to 2018, Texas schools even taught that states’ rights and sectionalism—not slavery—were the main causes of the Civil War . And, in Confederate memorials across the country, writes historian Kevin M. Levin , enslaved individuals are often falsely portrayed as loyal slaves .

Accurately representing slavery might require an updated vocabulary , argued historian Michael Landis in 2015: Outdated “[t]erms like ‘compromise’ or ‘plantation’ served either to reassure worried Americans in a Cold War world, or uphold a white supremacist, sexist interpretation of the past.” Rather than referring to the Compromise of 1850 , call it the Appeasement of 1850—a term that better describes “the uneven nature of the agreement,” according to Landis. Smithsonian scholar Christopher Wilson wrote, too, that widespread framing of the Civil War as a battle between equal entities lends legitimacy to the Confederacy , which was not a nation in its own right, but an “illegitimate rebellion and unrecognized political entity.” A 2018 Smithsonian magazine investigation found that the literal costs of the Confederacy are immense: In the decade prior, American taxpayers contributed $40 million to the maintenance of Confederate monuments and heritage organizations.

To better understand the immense brutality ingrained in enslaved individuals’ everyday lives, read up on Louisiana’s Whitney Plantation Museum , which acts as “part reminder of the scars of institutional bondage, part mausoleum for dozens of enslaved people who worked (and died) in [its] sugar fields, … [and] monument to the terror of slavery,” as Jared Keller observed in 2016. Visitors begin their tour in a historic church populated by clay sculptures of children who died on the plantation’s grounds, then move on to a series of granite slabs engraved with hundreds of enslaved African Americans’ names. Scattered throughout the experience are stories of the violence inflicted by overseers.

The Whitney Plantation Museum is at the forefront of a vanguard of historical sites working to confront their racist pasts. In recent years, exhibitions, oral history projects and other initiatives have highlighted the enslaved people whose labor powered such landmarks as Mount Vernon , the White House and Monticello . At the same time, historians are increasingly calling attention to major historical figures’ own slave-holding legacies : From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington , William Clark of Lewis and Clark , Francis Scott Key , and other Founding Fathers , many American icons were complicit in upholding the institution of slavery. Washington , Jefferson , James Madison and Aaron Burr , among others, sexually abused enslaved females working in their households and had oft-overlooked biracial families.

Though Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, the decree took two-and-a-half years to fully enact. June 19, 1865—the day Union Gen. Gordon Granger informed the enslaved individuals of Galveston, Texas, that they were officially free—is now known as Juneteenth : America’s “second independence day,” according to NMAAHC. Initially celebrated mainly in Texas, Juneteenth spread across the country as African Americans fled the South in what is now called the Great Migration .

At the onset of that mass movement in 1916, 90 percent of African Americans still lived in the South, where they were “held captive by the virtual slavery of sharecropping and debt peonage and isolated from the rest of the country,” as Isabel Wilkerson wrote in 2016. ( Sharecropping , a system in which formerly enslaved people became tenant farmers and lived in “converted” slave cabins , was the impetus for the 1919 Elaine Massacre , which found white soldiers collaborating with local vigilantes to kill at least 200 sharecroppers who dared to criticize their low wages.) By the time the Great Migration—famously chronicled by artist Jacob Lawrence —ended in the 1970s, 47 percent of African Americans called the northern and western United States home.

Listen to Sidedoor: A Smithsonian Podcast

The third season of Sidedoor explored a South Carolina residence’s unique journey from slave cabin to family home and its latest incarnation as a centerpiece at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Conditions outside the Deep South were more favorable than those within the region, but the “hostility and hierarchies that fed the Southern caste system” remained major obstacles for black migrants in all areas of the country, according to Wilkerson. Low-paying jobs, redlining , restrictive housing covenants and rampant discrimination limited opportunities, creating inequality that would eventually give rise to the civil rights movement.

“The Great Migration was the first big step that the nation’s servant class ever took without asking,” Wilkerson explained. “ … It was about agency for a people who had been denied it, who had geography as the only tool at their disposal. It was an expression of faith, despite the terrors they had survived, that the country whose wealth had been created by their ancestors’ unpaid labor might do right by them.”

Systemic Inequality

Racial, economic and educational disparities are deeply entrenched in U.S. institutions. Though the Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal,” American democracy has historically—and often violently —excluded certain groups. “Democracy means everybody can participate, it means you are sharing power with people you don’t know, don’t understand, might not even like,” said National Museum of American History curator Harry Rubenstein in 2017. “That’s the bargain. And some people over time have felt very threatened by that notion.”

Instances of inequality range from the obvious to less overtly discriminatory policies and belief systems. Historical examples of the former include poll taxes that effectively disenfranchised African American voters; the marginalization of African American soldiers who fought in World War I and World War II but were treated like second-class citizens at home; black innovators who were barred from filing patents for their inventions; white medical professionals’ exploitation of black women’s bodies (see Henrietta Lacks and J. Marion Sims ); Richard and Mildred Loving ’s decade-long fight to legalize interracial marriage; the segregated nature of travel in the Jim Crow era; the government-mandated segregation of American cities ; and segregation in schools .

Among the most heartbreaking examples of structural racism’s subtle effects are accounts shared by black children. In the late 1970s, when Lebert F. Lester II was 8 or 9 years old, he started building a sand castle during a trip to the Connecticut shore . A young white girl joined him but was quickly taken away by her father. Lester recalled the girl returning, only to ask him, “Why don’t [you] just go in the water and wash it off?” Lester says., “I was so confused—I only figured out later she meant my complexion .” Two decades earlier, in 1957, 15-year-old Minnijean Brown had arrived at Little Rock Central High School with high hopes of “making friends, going to dances and singing in the chorus.” Instead, she and the rest of the Little Rock Nine —a group of black students selected to attend the formerly all-white academy after Brown v. Board of Education desegregated public schools—were subjected to daily verbal and physical assaults. Around the same time, photographer John G. Zimmerman captured snapshots of racial politics in the South that included comparisons of black families waiting in long lines for polio inoculations as white children received speedy treatment.

In 1968, the Kerner Commission , a group convened by President Lyndon Johnson, found that white racism, not black anger, was the impetus for the widespread civil unrest sweeping the nation. As Alice George wrote in 2018, the commission’s report suggested that “[b]ad policing practices, a flawed justice system, unscrupulous consumer credit practices, poor or inadequate housing, high unemployment, voter suppression and other culturally embedded forms of racial discrimination all converged to propel violent upheaval.” Few listened to the findings, let alone its suggestion of aggressive government spending aimed at leveling the playing field. Instead, the country embraced a different cause: space travel . The day after the 1969 moon landing, the leading black paper the New York Amsterdam News ran a story stating, “Yesterday, the moon. Tomorrow, maybe us.”

Fifty years after the Kerner Report’s release, a separate study assessed how much had changed ; it concluded that conditions had actually worsened. In 2017, black unemployment was higher than in 1968, as was the rate of incarcerated individuals who were black. The wealth gap had also increased substantially, with the median white family having ten times more wealth than the median black family. “We are resegregating our cities and our schools, condemning millions of kids to inferior education and taking away their real possibility of getting out of poverty,” said Fred Harris, the last surviving member of the Kerner Commission, following the 2018 study’s release.

Today, scientific racism —grounded in such faulty practices as eugenics and the treatment of race “as a crude proxy for myriad social and environmental factors,” writes Ramin Skibba—persists despite overwhelming evidence that race has only social, not biological, meaning. Black scholars including Mamie Phipps Clark , a psychologist whose research on racial identity in children helped end segregation in schools, and Rebecca J. Cole , a 19th-century physician and advocate who challenged the idea that black communities were destined for death and disease, have helped overturn some of these biases. But a 2015 survey found that 48 percent of black and Latina women scientists, respectively, still report being mistaken for custodial or administrative staff . Even artificial intelligence exhibits racial biases , many of which are introduced by lab staff and crowdsourced workers who program their own conscious and unconscious opinions into algorithms.

Anti-Black Violence

In addition to enduring centuries of enslavement, exploitation and inequality, African Americans have long been the targets of racially charged physical violence. Per the Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative , more than 4,400 lynchings —mob killings undertaken without legal authority—took place in the U.S. between the end of Reconstruction and World War II.

Incredibly, the Senate only passed legislation declaring lynching a federal crime in 2018 . Between 1918 and the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act’s eventual passage, more than 200 anti-lynching bills failed to make it through Congress. (Earlier this week, Sen. Rand Paul said he would hold up a separate, similarly intentioned bill over fears that its definition of lynching was too broad. The House passed the bill in a 410-to-4 vote this February.) Also in 2018, the Equal Justice Initiative opened the nation’s first monument to African American lynching victims . The six-acre memorial site stands alongside a museum dedicated to tracing the nation’s history of racial bias and persecution from slavery to the present.

One of the earliest instances of Reconstruction-era racial violence took place in Opelousas, Louisiana, in September 1868. Two months ahead of the presidential election, Southern white Democrats started terrorizing Republican opponents who appeared poised to secure victory at the polls. On September 28, a group of men attacked 18-year-old schoolteacher Emerson Bentley, who had already attracted ire for teaching African American students, after he published an account of local Democrats’ intimidation of Republicans. Bentley escaped with his life, but 27 of the 29 African Americans who arrived on the scene to help him were summarily executed. Over the next two weeks, vigilante terror led to the deaths of some 250 people, the majority of whom were black.

In April 1873, another spate of violence rocked Louisiana. The Colfax Massacre , described by historian Eric Foner as the “bloodiest single instance of racial carnage in the Reconstruction era,” unfolded under similar circumstances as Opelousas, with tensions between Democrats and Republicans culminating in the deaths of between 60 and 150 African Americans, as well as three white men.

Between the turn of the 20th century and the 1920s, multiple massacres broke out in response to false allegations that young black men had raped or otherwise assaulted white women. In August 1908, a mob terrorized African American neighborhoods across Springfield, Illinois, vandalizing black-owned businesses, setting fire to the homes of black residents, beating those unable to flee and lynching at least two people. Local authorities, argues historian Roberta Senechal , were “ineffectual at best, complicit at worst.”

False accusations also sparked a July 1919 race riot in Washington, D.C. and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 , which was most recently dramatized in the HBO series “ Watchmen .” As African American History Museum curator Paul Gardullo tells Smithsonian , tensions related to Tulsa’s economy underpinned the violence : Forced to settle on what was thought to be worthless land, African Americans and Native Americans struck oil and proceeded to transform the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa into a prosperous community known as “Black Wall Street.” According to Gardullo, “It was the frustration of poor whites not knowing what to do with a successful black community, and in coalition with the city government [they] were given permission to do what they did.”

Over the course of two days in spring 1921, the Tulsa Race Massacre claimed the lives of an estimated 300 black Tulsans and displaced another 10,000. Mobs burned down at least 1,256 residences, churches, schools and businesses and destroyed almost 40 blocks of Greenwood. As the Sidedoor episode “ Confronting the Past ” notes, “No one knows how many people died, no one was ever convicted, and no one really talked about it nearly a century later.”

The second season of Sidedoor told the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.

Economic injustice also led to the East St. Louis Race War of 1917. This labor dispute-turned-deadly found “people’s houses being set ablaze, … people being shot when they tried to flee, some trying to swim to the other side of the Mississippi while being shot at by white mobs with rifles, others being dragged out of street cars and beaten and hanged from street lamps,” recalled Dhati Kennedy, the son of a survivor who witnessed the devastation firsthand. Official counts place the death toll at 39 black and 9 white individuals, but locals argue that the real toll was closer to 100.

A watershed moment for the burgeoning civil rights movement was the 1955 murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till . Accused of whistling at a white woman while visiting family members in Mississippi, he was kidnapped, tortured and killed. Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till Mobley, decided to give her son an open-casket funeral, forcing the world to confront the image of his disfigured, decomposing body . ( Visuals , including photographs, movies, television clips and artwork, played a key role in advancing the movement.) The two white men responsible for Till’s murder were acquitted by an all-white jury. A marker at the site where the teenager’s body was recovered has been vandalized at least three times since its placement in 2007.

The form of anti-black violence with the most striking parallels to contemporary conversations is police brutality . As Katie Nodjimbadem reported in 2017, a regional crime survey of late 1920s Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, found that while African Americans constituted just 5 percent of the area’s population, they made up 30 percent of the victims of police killings. Civil rights protests exacerbated tensions between African Americans and police, with events like the Orangeburg Massacre of 1968, in which law enforcement officers shot and killed three student activists at South Carolina State College, and the Glenville shootout , which left three police officers, three black nationalists and one civilian dead, fostering mistrust between the two groups.

Today, this legacy is exemplified by broken windows policing , a controversial approach that encourages racial profiling and targets African American and Latino communities. “What we see is a continuation of an unequal relationship that has been exacerbated, made worse if you will, by the militarization and the increase in fire power of police forces around the country,” William Pretzer , senior curator at NMAAHC, told Smithsonian in 2017.

The history of protest and revolt in the United States is inextricably linked with the racial violence detailed above.

Prior to the Civil War, enslaved individuals rarely revolted outright. Nat Turner , whose 1831 insurrection ended in his execution, was one of the rare exceptions. A fervent Christian , he drew inspiration from the Bible. His personal copy , now housed in the collections of the African American History Museum, represented the “possibility of something else for himself and for those around him,” curator Mary Ellis told Smithsonian ’s Victoria Dawson in 2016.

Other enslaved African Americans practiced less risky forms of resistance, including working slowly, breaking tools and setting objects on fire. “Slave rebellions, though few and small in size in America, were invariably bloody,” wrote Dawson. “Indeed, death was all but certain.”

One of the few successful uprisings of the period was the Creole Rebellion . In the fall of 1841, 128 enslaved African Americans traveling aboard The Creole mutinied against its crew, forcing their former captors to sail the brig to the British West Indies, where slavery was abolished and they could gain immediate freedom.

An April 1712 revolt found enslaved New Yorkers setting fire to white-owned buildings and firing on slaveholders. Quickly outnumbered, the group fled but was tracked to a nearby swamp; though several members were spared, the majority were publicly executed, and in the years following the uprising, the city enacted laws limiting enslaved individuals’ already scant freedom. In 1811, meanwhile, more than 500 African Americans marched on New Orleans while chanting “Freedom or Death.” Though the German Coast uprising was brutally suppressed, historian Daniel Rasmussen argues that it “had been much larger—and come much closer to succeeding—than the planters and American officials let on.”

Some 150 years after what Rasmussen deems America’s “ largest slave revolt ,” the civil rights movement ushered in a different kind of protest. In 1955, police arrested Rosa Parks for refusing to yield her bus seat to a white passenger (“I had been pushed around all my life and felt at this moment that I couldn’t take it any more,” she later wrote). The ensuing Montgomery bus boycott , in which black passengers refused to ride public transit until officials met their demands, led the Supreme Court to rule segregated buses unconstitutional. Five years later, the Greensboro Four similarly took a stand, ironically by staging a sit-in at a Woolworth’s lunch counter . As Christopher Wilson wrote ahead of the 60th anniversary of the event, “What made Greensboro different [from other sit-ins ] was how it grew from a courageous moment to a revolutionary movement.”

During the 1950s and ’60s, civil rights leaders adopted varying approaches to protest: Malcolm X , a staunch proponent of black nationalism who called for equality by “any means necessary,” “made tangible the anger and frustration of African Americans who were simply catching hell,” according to journalist Allison Keyes. He repeated the same argument “over and over again,” wrote academic and activist Cornel West in 2015: “What do you think you would do after 400 years of slavery and Jim Crow and lynching? Do you think you would respond nonviolently? What’s your history like? Let’s look at how you have responded when you were oppressed. George Washington—revolutionary guerrilla fighter!’”

Martin Luther King Jr . famously advocated for nonviolent protest, albeit not in the form that many think. As biographer Taylor Branch told Smithsonian in 2015, King’s understanding of nonviolence was more complex than is commonly argued. Unlike Mahatma Gandhi’s “passive resistance,” King believed resistance “depended on being active, using demonstrations, direct actions, to ‘amplify the message’ of the protest they were making,” according to Ron Rosenbaum. In the activist’s own words , “[A] riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear?… It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. ”

Another key player in the civil rights movement, the militant Black Panther Party , celebrated black power and operated under a philosophy of “ demands and aspirations .” The group’s Ten-Point Program called for an “immediate end to POLICE BRUTALITY and MURDER of Black people,” as well as more controversial measures like freeing all black prisoners and exempting black men from military service. Per NMAAHC , black power “emphasized black self-reliance and self-determination more than integration,” calling for the creation of separate African American political and cultural organizations. In doing so, the movement ensured that its proponents would attract the unwelcome attention of the FBI and other government agencies.

Many of the protests now viewed as emblematic of the fight for racial justice took place in the 1960s. On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people gathered in D.C. for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom . Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the march, activists who attended the event detailed the experience for a Smithsonian oral history : Entertainer Harry Belafonte observed, “We had to seize the opportunity and make our voices heard. Make those who are comfortable with our oppression—make them uncomfortable—Dr. King said that was the purpose of this mission,” while Representative John Lewis recalled, “Looking toward Union Station, we saw a sea of humanity; hundreds, thousands of people. … People literally pushed us, carried us all the way, until we reached the Washington Monument and then we walked on to the Lincoln Memorial..”

Two years after the March on Washington, King and other activists organized a march from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital of Montgomery. Later called the Selma March , the protest was dramatized in a 2014 film starring David Oyelowo as MLK. ( Reflecting on Selma , Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, then-director of NMAAHC, deemed it a “remarkable film” that “does not privilege the white perspective … [or] use the movement as a convenient backdrop for a conventional story.”)

Organized in response to the manifest obstacles black individuals faced when attempting to vote, the Selma March actually consisted of three separate protests. The first of these, held on March 7, 1965, ended in a tragedy now known as Bloody Sunday . As peaceful protesters gathered on the Edmund Pettus Bridge —named for a Confederate general and local Ku Klux Klan leader—law enforcement officers attacked them with tear gas and clubs. One week later, President Lyndon B. Johnson offered the Selma protesters his support and introduced legislation aimed at expanding voting rights. During the third and final march, organized in the aftermath of Johnson’s announcement, tens of thousands of protesters (protected by the National Guard and personally led by King) converged on Montgomery. Along the way, interior designer Carl Benkert used a hidden reel-to-reel tape recorder to document the sounds—and specifically songs—of the event .

The protests of the early and mid-1960s culminated in the widespread unrest of 1967 and 1968. For five days in July 1967, riots on a scale unseen since 1863 rocked the city of Detroit : As Lorraine Boissoneault writes, “Looters prowled the streets, arsonists set buildings on fire, civilian snipers took position from rooftops and police shot and arrested citizens indiscriminately.” Systemic injustice in such areas as housing, jobs and education contributed to the uprising, but police brutality was the driving factor behind the violence. By the end of the riots, 43 people were dead. Hundreds sustained injuries, and more than 7,000 were arrested.

The Detroit riots of 1967 prefaced the seismic changes of 1968 . As Matthew Twombly wrote in 2018, movements including the Vietnam War, the Cold War, civil rights, human rights and youth culture “exploded with force in 1968,” triggering aftershocks that would resonate both in America and abroad for decades to come.

On February 1, black sanitation workers Echol Cole and Robert Walker died in a gruesome accident involving a malfunctioning garbage truck. Their deaths, compounded by Mayor Henry Loeb’s refusal to negotiate with labor representatives, led to the outbreak of the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike —an event remembered both “as an example of powerless African Americans standing up for themselves” and as the backdrop to King’s April 4 assassination .

Though King is lionized today, he was highly unpopular at the time of his death. According to a Harris Poll conducted in early 1968, nearly 75 percent of Americans disapproved of the civil rights leader , who had become increasingly vocal in his criticism of the Vietnam War and economic inequity. Despite the public’s seeming ambivalence toward King—and his family’s calls for nonviolence— his murder sparked violent protests across the country . In all, the Holy Week Uprisings spread to nearly 200 cities, leaving 3,500 people injured and 43 dead. Roughly 27,000 protesters were arrested, and 54 of the cities involved sustained more than $100,000 in property damage.

In May, thousands flocked to Washington, D.C. for a protest King had planned prior to his death. Called the Poor People’s Campaign , the event united racial groups from all quarters of America in a call for economic justice. Attendees constructed “ Resurrection City ,” a temporary settlement made up of 3,000 wooden tents, and camped out on the National Mall for 42 days.

“While we were all in a kind of depressed state about the assassinations of King and RFK, we were trying to keep our spirits up, and keep focused on King’s ideals of humanitarian issues, the elimination of poverty and freedom,” protester Lenneal Henderson told Smithsonian in 2018. “It was exciting to be part of something that potentially, at least, could make a difference in the lives of so many people who were in poverty around the country.”

Racial unrest persisted throughout the year, with uprisings on the Fourth of July , a protest at the Summer Olympic Games , and massacres at Orangeburg and Glenville testifying to the tumultuous state of the nation.

The Black Lives Matter marches organized in response to the killings of George Floyd, Philando Castile, Freddie Gray, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and other victims of anti-black violence share many parallels with protests of the past .

Football player Colin Kaepernick ’s decision to kneel during the national anthem—and the unmitigated outrage it sparked —bears similarities to the story of boxer Muhammad Ali , historian Jonathan Eig told Smithsonian in 2017: “It’s been eerie to watch it, that we’re still having these debates that black athletes should be expected to shut their mouths and perform for us,” he said. “That’s what people told Ali 50 years ago.”

Other aspects of modern protest draw directly on uprisings of earlier eras. In 2016, for instance, artist Dread Scott updated an anti-lynching poster used by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the 1920s and ’30s to read “ A Black Man Was Lynched by Police Yesterday .” (Scott added the words “by police.”)

Though the civil rights movement is often viewed as the result of a cohesive “grand plan” or “manifestation of the vision of the few leaders whose names we know,” the American History Museum’s Christopher Wilson argues that “the truth is there wasn’t one, there were many and they were often competitive .”

Meaningful change required a whirlwind of revolution, adds Wilson, “but also the slow legal march. It took boycotts, petitions, news coverage, civil disobedience, marches, lawsuits, shrewd political maneuvering, fundraising, and even the violent terror campaign of the movement’s opponents—all going on [at] the same time.”

Intersectionality

In layman’s terms, intersectionality refers to the multifaceted discrimination experienced by individuals who belong to multiple minority groups. As theorist Kimberlé Crenshaw explains in a video published by NMAAHC , these classifications run the gamut from race to gender, gender identity, class, sexuality and disability. A black woman who identifies as a lesbian, for instance, may face prejudice based on her race, gender or sexuality.

Crenshaw, who coined the term intersectionality in 1989, explains the concept best: “Consider an intersection made up of many roads,” she says in the video. “The roads are the structures of race, gender, gender identity, class, sexuality, disability. And the traffic running through those roads are the practices and policies that discriminate against people. Now if an accident happens, it can be caused by cars traveling in any number of directions, and sometimes, from all of them. So if a black woman is harmed because she is in an intersection, her injury could result from discrimination from any or all directions.”

Understanding intersectionality is essential for teasing out the relationships between movements including civil rights, LGBTQ rights , suffrage and feminism. Consider the contributions of black transgender activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera , who played pivotal roles in the Stonewall Uprising ; gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin , who was only posthumously pardoned this year for having consensual sex with men; the “rank and file” women of the Black Panther Party ; and African American suffragists such as Mary Church Terrell and Nannie Helen Burroughs .

All of these individuals fought discrimination on multiple levels: As noted in “ Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence ,” a 2019 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, leading suffrage organizations initially excluded black suffragists from their ranks , driving the emergence of separate suffrage movements and, eventually, black feminists grounded in the inseparable experiences of racism, sexism and classism.

Allyship and Education

Individuals striving to become better allies by educating themselves and taking decisive action have an array of options for getting started. Begin with NMAAHC’s “ Talking About Race ” portal, which features sections on being antiracist , whiteness , bias , social identities and systems of oppression , self-care , race and racial identity , the historical foundations of race , and community building . An additional 139 items —from a lecture on the history of racism in America to a handout on white supremacy culture and an article on the school-to-prison pipeline —are available to explore via the portal’s resources page .

In collaboration with the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, the National Museum of the American Indian has created a toolkit that aims to “help people facilitate new conversations with and among students about the power of images and words, the challenges of memory, and the relationship between personal and national value,” says museum director Kevin Gover in a statement . The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center offers a similarly focused resource called “ Standing Together Against Xenophobia .” As the site’s description notes, “This includes addressing not only the hatred and violence that has recently targeted people of Asian descent, but also the xenophobia that plagues our society during times of national crisis.”

Ahead of NMAAHC’s official opening in 2016, the museum hosted a series of public programs titled “ History, Rebellion, and Reconciliation .” Panels included “Ferguson: What Does This Moment Mean for America?” and “#Words Matter: Making Revolution Irresistible.” As Smithsonian reported at the time, “It was somewhat of a refrain at the symposium that museums can provide ‘safe,’ or even ‘sacred’ spaces , within which visitors [can] wrestle with difficult and complex topics.” Then-director Lonnie Bunch expanded on this mindset in an interview, telling Smithsonian , “Our job is to be an educational institution that uses history and culture not only to look back, not only to help us understand today, but to point us towards what we can become.” For more context on the museum’s collections, mission and place in American history, visit Smithsonian ’s “ Breaking Ground ” hub and NMAAHC’s digital resources guide .

Historical examples of allyship offer both inspiration and cautionary tales for the present. Take, for example, Albert Einstein , who famously criticized segregation as a “disease of white people” and continually used his platform to denounce racism. (The scientist’s advocacy is admittedly complicated by travel diaries that reveal his deeply troubling views on race .)

Einstein’s near-contemporary, a white novelist named John Howard Griffin, took his supposed allyship one step further, darkening his skin and embarking on a “human odyssey through the South,” as Bruce Watson wrote in 2011. Griffin’s chronicle of his experience, a volume titled Black Like Me , became a surprise bestseller, refuting “the idea that minorities were acting out of paranoia,” according to scholar Gerald Early, and testifying to the veracity of black people’s accounts of racism.

“The only way I could see to bridge the gap between us,” wrote Griffin in Black Like Me , “was to become a Negro.”

Griffin, however, had the privilege of being able to shed his blackness at will—which he did after just one month of donning his makeup. By that point, Watson observed, Griffin could simply “stand no more.”

Sixty years later, what is perhaps most striking is just how little has changed. As Bunch reflected earlier this week, “The state of our democracy feels fragile and precarious.”

Addressing the racism and social inequity embedded in American society will be a “monumental task,” the secretary added. But “the past is replete with examples of ordinary people working together to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. History is a guide to a better future and demonstrates that we can become a better society—but only if we collectively demand it from each other and from the institutions responsible for administering justice.”

Editor ’s Note, July 24, 2020: This article previously stated that some 3.9 million of the 10.7 million people who survived the harrowing two-month journey across the Middle Passage between 1525 and 1866 were ultimately enslaved in the United States. In fact, the 3.9 million figure refers to the number of enslaved individuals in the U.S. just before the Civil War. We regret the error.

Get the latest History stories in your inbox?

Click to visit our Privacy Statement .

Meilan Solly | | READ MORE

Meilan Solly is Smithsonian magazine's associate digital editor, history.

Race and Discrimination Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

The term race refers to different things in the contemporary society. Individuals view it from an aspect of social interactions, physical appearances, genetics and culture. Experts who look into issues of race assert that race refers to biological differences that exist between and among individuals.

They judge these differences according to physical appearance and internal differences arising from genetics. On many occasions, people define race from the physical appearance, and tend to combine this with social construction of race (Tsuda 15). This paper looks at two issues; race and discrimination, in an effort to understand how racism affects the African Americans living in the United States.

Immigration has led to the existence of many races in the United States. People move from their countries of origin for different reasons including; further education, search for employment, as well as asylum. Many Africans have been moving from Africa and West Indies, into America. This immigration rate has intensified in the past fifty years, especially due to escape from slavery.

What this means is that there is a large number of African Americans in the United States. The African Americans are people of African origin attempting to acculturate into the American culture (Tsuda 3-7). They often face several difficulties in this attempt, especially due to their color, which is different from that of the Americans. The idea of viewing culture from a social construction point has led to discrimination of the black race in America.

Racism or racial discrimination arises from an outlook of race as a culturally-determined and diverse thing, which changes with time. The Americans view themselves as the superior race due to their white color, and according to them, all other races are inferior. The case is even worse for African Americans often referred as “Negroes.” They are inferior people with “bad blood” and thus, they should not mix with the Americans.

Prejudice against them occurs in almost all sectors of America including; schools and colleges, transport, employment, and health sectors (Tsuda 52). In terms of education, disparities among Americans and African Americans present themselves in classes, courses and staff. For instance, in nursing, women of color are rarely listened to by lecturers and professors. Similarly, their colleagues still view them as people who evolved from monkeys.

They are, therefore, more related to monkeys than human beings. Therefore, social interactions between these two groups are minimal. In the elementary schools, young blacks get ridiculed by their white peers from time to time. They ran away from them during play, and are less likely to interact with them in class discussions. In the past few years, remarkably few Americans could travel with Africans in the same bus. They viewed these people as unworthy and socially-disruptive people.

This inferiority complex was the basis to colonize African countries, and it lays the foundation to exterminate Africans from jobs (Tsuda 123). Furthermore, it is imperative to note that many whites in America view black immigrants as criminals. Thus, if a crime occurs in a neighborhood where there is a black immigrant, he or she is the first suspect.

In essence, the list of vices arising from racial discrimination is endless. Racism in America justifies the social inequalities that exist in different states. It is exceedingly rare to find equal treatment of blacks and whites in America. Unequal distribution of resources and opportunities continues to persist in the country.

It is good for the American government to realize that we are all human beings, regardless of being black, white or yellow races. It is time that this government puts in place measures, to enhance equal opportunities for all.

Works Cited

Tsuda, Takeyuki. Immigration and Ethnic Relations in the U.S. (Revised Edition). San Diego, CA: Cognella Academic Publishing, 2011. Print.

• The Race Equality Concept
• Treating Race and Ethnicity in History
• Messages about Race in the Media
• The Origin of Man and Primates' Evolution
• Unique Functional Features of Blindsight
• Language and Identity Essay
• Racism in the USA
• Sarah Baartman Discussion
• Sarah Baartman: A Victim of Discrimination
• Evidence of Racism in the American Schools
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2018, December 11). Race and Discrimination. https://ivypanda.com/essays/race-and-discrimination/

"Race and Discrimination." IvyPanda , 11 Dec. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/race-and-discrimination/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Race and Discrimination'. 11 December.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Race and Discrimination." December 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/race-and-discrimination/.

1. IvyPanda . "Race and Discrimination." December 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/race-and-discrimination/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Race and Discrimination." December 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/race-and-discrimination/.

11 Essays To Read About Racism & Police Violence

From literary leaders like Roxane Gay, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Ibram X. Kendi

Nearly one year after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police , the former police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes has been found guilty on all counts. A Minnesota jury delivered a unanimous verdict that found Derek Chauvin, 45, guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Following the verdict, Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden addressed the country with a pointed reminder: the fight for change is far from over. “A measure of justice isn’t the same as equal justice,” Harris said. “This verdict brings us a step closer, and the fact is we still have work to do.”

Roughly 1,000 people killed by American police annually. On April 11, Daunte Wright , a 20-year-old Black man, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb. On the heels of the Chauvin verdict, 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant was fatally shot by a police officer in Columbus, Ohio. Black Americans are killed by law enforcemen t at more than twice the rate of white Americans.

This is not a new epidemic. Instead, the violence is now being filmed. Communities of color experience these traumas over and over, in public forms and in private grievings. There’s no federal database tracking the occurrences; the information that local agencies report to the Federal Bureau of Investigation is voluntary. Most states don’t require officers to attend deescalation training .

Bustle created a reading list of scholars, reporters, and intellectuals who help us think about American racism, police violence, and their recent manifestations.

1. " Alton Sterling And When Black Lives Stop Mattering ," by Roxane Gay

In the 2016 op-ed, author Roxane Gay discusses the tiring repetition of police violence against Black men. “I don’t think we could have imagined that video of police brutality would not translate into justice,” she writes.

2. " The Black Journalist And The Racial Mountain, " by Ta-Nehisi Coates

In his 2016 essay, Ta-Nehisi Coates looks at racial disparities within the media industry, shining a light on tokenism, the historical suppression of Black voices, and the challenges of being a Black writer during cycles of violence.

3. " George Floyd Could Not Breathe. We Must Fight Police Violence Until Our Last Breath ," by Derecka Purnell

Human rights lawyer Derecka Purnell analyzes the contrast between how activists respond to abuses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement versus how they respond to abuses by police.

4. " How Does A Steady Stream Of Images Of Black Death Affect Us? " by Sherri Williams

After the death of Philando Castile, a Black man killed in his car by a police officer , American University assistant professor Sherri Williams asks about the short- and long-term impacts of seeing so many videos and images of violence against Black people.

5. " How White Women Use Themselves As Instruments Of Terror ," by Charles M. Blow

Columnist Charles M. Blow looks at the historical precedent of white women using their power to harm Black men. He points to the recent example of Amy Cooper, a white woman who called the police on bird-watcher Christian Cooper . “I am enraged by white women weaponizing racial anxiety,” he writes.

6. The New York Times ’ " The 1619 Project "

The ongoing collection, originally published in 2019, won a Pulitzer Prize for reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones. The project looks at the lasting legacies of slavery across American society, including its impact on the criminal justice system.

7. " Racism Wears Down Pittsburgh’s Reporters Of Color ," by Letrell Deshan Crittenden

Assistant professor of communication at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Letrell Deshan Crittenden studied how Black journalists and journalists of color feel about disparities in coverage and opportunity. He contrasts the global response to the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shooting with a 2016 shooting where five Black people were killed.

8. " There's One Epidemic We May Never Find A Vaccine For: Fear Of Black Men In Public Spaces ," by John Blake

CNN writer John Blake analyzes what recent events like Floyd’s death and Amy Cooper's racism have in common: an inherent fear of Black men. “Why are black men still so feared in 2020?” he asks. “And what will it take for it to stop?”

9. " The Viral Video Of Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing Shows Whose Deaths We Afford Privacy And Whose We Don’t ," by Sarah Sentilles

Sarah Sentilles has been studying imagery of violence for 15 years. She argues that society’s willingness to show images of Black and Brown bodies, but not white ones, is rooted in racism.

10. The Washington Post ’s " Fatal Force " Database

Sparked by the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown, this interactive project has been tracking police killings since 2015.

11. " Who Gets To Be Afraid In America? " by Ibram X. Kendi

Bestselling and award-winning author Ibram X. Kendi interrogates white fear, and how it often leads to the dehumanization of Black men. “They don’t see themselves in me,” he writes. “They certainly don’t see their own innocence in me.”

This article was originally published on May 29, 2020

Essay on Racism for Students and Children in 1100 Words

In this article, you will read an educational Essay on Racism for Students and Children in 1100 Words. This informative post includes its origin, social level, politics, sign, casteism, how to end it, and 10 important lines on racism.

Table of Contents

Introduction (Essay on Racism – 1100 Words)

Origin of racism.

It was a karma based system; where the caste was determined by the karma of the person. Just like if the child of a Kshatriya were interested in the work of a Vaishya, then the child would get the character of Vaishya, but in the transfer, all this changed and the caste was determined genetically as the children of Kshatriya would be called Kshatriya. Similarly, Children of other varnas will also follow their father’s caste and his deeds

Racism at Social Level

Racism in politics, racism signs.

Casteism can only give justice to one side, which is beneficial to its caste, even if it violates any limits of humanity. Racism is a significant obstacle to the creation and progress of any country. Further, it is also contrary to the constitution.

Reasons for Casteism

1. protecting the honor of his caste, 2. inter-caste marriage.

In any community, this tradition is not to be married out of its group; it gives further strength to casteism. Due to this, it is not only at the social level, but also the gene pool of any caste remains confined, and there is no variation in the genes.

3. Urbanization

4. social distance, 5. illiteracy and lack of opportunities, 6. consequences of racism.

Racism or Casteism is based on inequality and injustice. It would be wrong to call casteism a part of the system. These are the demons who are swallowing the society. Due to this, democracy has also become a joke. In recent times, there is a strong possibility of enmity in the organization of every caste in India.

How to End Racism?

Inter-caste marriages should be encouraged. Organize food function of different castes collectively. Organizations like national volunteers also organize ‘group meals’ in their programs.

10 golden lines on Racism

Reader interactions, leave a reply cancel reply, copyright protection, important links.

"Advertisement"

Essay On Racism In English In 500+ Words (Step by Step Guide)

Essay On Racism In English | Racism Essay (Step by Step Guide)

Hello Friend, In this post “ Essay On Racism In English | Racism Essay “, we will read about  Racism in detail as an Essay. So, Let’s Start…

Essay On Racism In English In 500+ Words

Racism is a set of prejudices that are caused by a person’s attitude towards another person’s race. It is one of the most vicious and irrational forms of discrimination.

Racism affects people of all races, from those with privileged backgrounds to those without. Racism comes in many forms. This could be prejudice, discrimination, stereotyping, and hate speech.

Racism is one of the biggest problems in our world right now and it really shouldn’t be so what exactly is it. racism is when people are cheated unfairly because of their race, culture, or religion and it’s a problem everywhere.

It is strictly illegal to treat someone racist, most of the time the racist feels various is more superior to the other.

Racism comes in many-many different forms it can be bullying, Renner verbal threats or vandalism like graffiti or damage to property, and sometimes racism can be physical assault.

Racism can happen anywhere even at home, a survey of 2380 people aged 13 to 17 showed that 89% of them hit either experienced or witnessed racism. 43% of it was at school and 33% of it was online in the form of cyberbullying.

And the other 13% were just scattered everywhere else but school and the Internet are the two places racism occurs most. Racism is not something we’re born with there was only one way to settle this problem.

A survey that would make the best out of both worlds kids and adults. I surveyed 17 of my classmates first and asked them all the same question (Do you think people get more or less racist as they grow up).

70.5 percent of them said that you get more racist with age all of the reasons were very interesting most of them said that it was because adults are more critical and judgmental of others which personally I agree with it completely.

I also surveyed 10 adults the results were somewhat similar, 80% of them said that you get more races to stage, the reason that was repeated several times was that racism is a learned behavior and it’s not something we’re born with.

For example, if you lived in a non-racist environment, you would just naturally be less racist. Now, that you know what it is you have to do your part to help people cope with racism and it’s so simple. it can be a little comment just to cheer them up.

But the most important thing is to never stand by telling the races they’re wrong nobody has the right to be treated this way and it’s your job to make sure of that if you want to crank it up a notch you could participate in community anti-racism practice.

Just remember though that no matter how little it is, hope is always appreciated there’s only one way to humanity. As Abraham Lincoln said the achievement has no color and he’s absolutely right, Do your part make change racism might not be over but I’m definitely over racism.

• Essay On What Is Life? {Step By Step Guide}
• Essay On Mental Health During Covid-19 Pandemic

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

• LISTEN & FOLLOW
• Apple Podcasts
• Amazon Music
• Amazon Alexa

Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed.

Some plant names can be racist. Scientists are looking to rename them

Researchers are revising botanical names to address troubling connotations

Some researchers say the African coral tree has a racial slur embedded in its name. This month, scientists at an international meeting voted to have that epithet removed. tree-species/Flickr hide caption

For almost 300 years, researchers have classified life on Earth with scientific names — two-word monikers like Homo sapiens that become a kind of permanent label. But there are those who argue that some of these names are problematic, demeaning or even racist.

That’s why the community of plant, algae and fungi researchers took a series of steps to start tackling these issues — including voting to rename more than 200 plants to strike a racial slur from their official names.

These American birds and dozens more will be renamed, to remove human monikers

The move, made just ahead of last week’s International Botanical Congress in Madrid, was intended to correct a name that many found derogatory.

“We have sent a very strong message as a botanical community,” says Peter Moonlight , a botanist at Trinity College Dublin who voted on the change.

“We recognize that there are names which cause harm on a daily basis … and we have stated very clearly that we are doing what we can to ensure that their effect is minimized.”

A beautiful tree with an ugly name

One of the plants that was facing a name change is the African coral tree that grows in eastern South Africa. A couple years ago, Nokwanda Makunga , a plant molecular biologist at Stellenbosch University, traveled to this part of the country, up the coast from where she was raised, and saw them abloom.

“It’s a big, tall tree,” she says. “You have these bare branches that have these beautiful coral-colored flowers — it’s like a peachy orange. It’s difficult not to notice them because they’re quite majestic in their appearance.”

The problem is the tree’s scientific name — Erythrina caffra. That second word likely originally referred to the area where the tree was found. It derives from the Arabic word for “infidel,” but it came to be used as a racial slur against Black people in South Africa and elsewhere.

Shots - Health News

Academic science rethinks all-too-white 'dude walls' of honor.

“That word carries a very violent, brutal, socially unjust history,” says Makunga. “And so, when I see it, I get a bit of a sinking feeling in my body — a psychological and maybe even a physical reaction.”

Makunga has given presentations that reference the coral tree, during which she’s had to write out or even say its derogatory name. “It is difficult to be pronouncing that, as a Black person,” she says.

A simple solution

There are 218 plants, 13 algae and 70 fungi whose scientific names have some variation of this word, but it’s part of their official designation ( for some , since the late 1700s).

Then, earlier this month, more than a hundred scientists gathered in Madrid just before the International Botanical Congress . This Nomenclature Section meets once every six years to discuss altering the code that’s used to name the more-than-quarter-million plant, fungus, and algae species on the planet.

“That’s when the rubber hits the road,” says Sandy Knapp , a botanist at the Natural History Museum in London who was president of the group and chaired the meeting. The scientists considered 433 proposals to change the code in various ways, including one that confronted the derogatory word head on with a straightforward solution — simply striking the first letter (the “c” or “k”) from the word.

Who gets to use NASA's James Webb Space Telescope? Astronomers work to fight bias

Knapp recalls what one of her South African colleagues said during the discussion: “We could delete that ‘c’ or delete that ‘k,’ and then we could be proud to be Africans because all of these things would be named affrum or affrorum .”

Makunga agrees. “That means that Africa is being elevated through this name change,” she says.

But the proposal wasn’t a slam dunk. “Any change has [its] impacts,” says Anne Dubéarnès , the Herbarium Curator at Naturéum in Switzerland. “So all of these changes are always debated. Enacting changes to the code is something that people do very carefully. But this one was of course more emotional.”

Some spoke against the proposal. Others came out in favor. At last, the question of whether the names of these plants should be changed came to a vote. “I specifically made this into a completely secret ballot,” says Knapp.

The proposal passed with 63% in favor, just clearing the 60% threshold required.

Experiencing racism may physically change your brain

“We would have been stupid not to do it,” says Knapp. “My community has taken a step. It’s a baby step towards thinking about how names affect people, but it’s an important first step.”

A diversity of opinions

Some disputed the decision on technical grounds. And there are those who agree with the change, but worry it could lead to a flurry of requests to alter the nomenclature of untold numbers of other species.

“The names that were in the past, they should remain the way they are,” says Alina Freire-Fierro , a botanist at the Technical University of Cotopaxi in Ecuador who didn’t attend the gathering in Madrid.

“You don't want to seem, like, bigoted or something like that, but at the same time, naming has to be a stable process,” she says. That’s because these names are used across a range of scientific disciplines and industry, spanning the fields of botany, horticulture and agriculture.

“If today [a species] has one name and tomorrow it changes to a different name, it could cause a lot of chaos.”

Last week, the Nomenclature Section also established a special committee to discuss the ethics of naming species going forward, including how best to handle species named after problematic individuals who some take issue with. (Moonlight says one example is begonias, which are named after Michel Bégon, who was a slaveowner.)

In addition, starting in 2026, any new species names that are considered derogatory to a group of people can be proposed for rejection.

Adeyemi Aremu , the president of the South African Association of Botanists, applauds these developments.

“Are we going to be rigid and be insensitive, or be sensitive and go with the change?” he asks. “Because we do know that change is actually part of life. We have to be adaptable. We have to change.”

Aremu was surprised the changes were approved. But he says they’re critical for attracting diverse scientists to the field of botany — and retaining them.

“If we’re not willing to start to learn, start to ask questions, start to be curious and have some really difficult, uncomfortable conversations, then we’re not gonna change anything,” argues Jaime Frye , the Associate Curator of Living Collections at Newfields.

“And I feel like botanists, public garden people — we’re just trying to make the world a better place through plants.”

• diversity, equity and inclusion
• science history
• Science and society

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Challenges — The Problem Of Racism

The Problem of Racism

• Categories: Challenges Prejudice Society

About this sample

Words: 1035 |

Published: Sep 19, 2019

Words: 1035 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life Social Issues Sociology

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1454 words

3 pages / 1160 words

4 pages / 1936 words

2 pages / 741 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Challenges

The act of "crossing the swamp" serves as a poignant metaphor for the challenges and obstacles we encounter in our journey through life. In this essay, we explore the symbolism behind this metaphor, drawing inspiration from both [...]

In a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction, the fate of the entire human race rests on the shoulders of a young boy named Ender Wiggin. Orson Scott Card's novel, "Ender's Game," delves into the challenges and [...]

Beowulf, an Old English epic poem, stands as one of the most significant works in the Anglo-Saxon literary canon. Composed between the 8th and 11th centuries, it narrates the heroic exploits of its titular character, Beowulf, a [...]

In conclusion, being a Resident Assistant is not just a job; it is a transformative experience that has shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. It is a role that demands compassion, empathy, and resilience, while also [...]

They say life is full of ups and downs. There are challenges we face in life that can hold us back from achieving God’s divine purpose for our existence. These challenges might come in different ways, but the Bible assures us [...]

Stereotype is the prejudice that is held by people for a person or to a group of people which can be considered as a belief. It can be a widespread thought for a particular group of people. Since our world consist are a variety [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

Who is behind the UK’s far-right riots?

To read this article for free, register now.

Once registered, you can: • Read free articles • Get our Editor's Digest and other newsletters • Follow topics and set up personalised events • Access Alphaville: our popular markets and finance blog

Explore more offers.

Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism. Cancel anytime during your trial.

FT Digital Edition

Today's FT newspaper for easy reading on any device. This does not include ft.com or FT App access.

• Global news & analysis
• Expert opinion

Standard Digital

Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.

• FT App on Android & iOS
• FT Edit app
• FirstFT: the day's biggest stories
• 20+ curated newsletters
• Follow topics & set alerts with myFT
• FT Videos & Podcasts

Terms & Conditions apply

Explore our full range of subscriptions.

Why the ft.

See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times.