The Oldest Fears: Defining What Racism Actually Is

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While many people believe it was over when slavery ended and finished when the Civil Rights Act was passed, racism is very much alive in the contemporary world. Even worse, it has seen a great resurgence in recent times. Just look at what’s happening all across Europe and in the North Americas!

The oldest fears, that of fearing the other, remain complex and elusive. Yet, it is something that has loomed over the human race since as far as anyone can remember. The underlying tendency of humans, especially in groups, to bias others and pass on prejudice remains a constant issue. Perhaps it can never disappear? But that would be a depressing answer. One that surrenders too easily. And it’s not what this article will be talking about.

Racism manifests in a myriad of ways. It can come subtly, as in dog whistles, or it can hit you like a flying brick. Regardless, if society is to truly vanquish the dragon that is racism, it must first be examined.

The Oldest Fears on Society

There are plenty of ways to investigate racism within the context of society. Yet, they all paint pretty much the same picture. Racism is a product of conflict and interaction, especially between groups that don’t understand each other or refuse to.

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Racial discrimination is the by-product of underlying dysfunction that occurs in society. When it manifests, harmony is severely disrupted and progress stymied. This dysfunction is, in turn, maintained by certain groups to either propel themselves into dominance or stay in it. Racism is useful for dominant groups because it maintains social inequality and justifies why certain groups must be and should be exploited. When groups within the lower hierarchy are pitted amongst themselves, the people at the top are more able to keep their privileged status and control over resources.

Racism is a product of shared beliefs and values. They cycle through as stereotypes and are reinforced through isolation and willful miscommunication.

How the Oldest Fears Are Used to Justify Condemnable Acts

As a tool for control, there have been countless groups all across history that have made use of racism to justify their atrocities. From slavery to colonialism to imperialism to genocide, racism serves a very practical purpose: to dehumanize enemies and divide people.

When certain groups of people are perceived as less than others, it becomes much easier to commit acts of brutality and savagery against them. This is why Romani people are targeted, as are Black people, the Rohingya, Jewish people, Muslims, and more. When we let racism fester without repercussion, it becomes the culpa mea to horrifying events such as the Armenian and Circassian Genocides, the Holocaust, and what is happening in several places around the world today.

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Can Racism Ever Be Justified?

There is no justification for racism. No matter how people may twist biology, history, and the like. Racism cannot ever be justified.

Certain individuals may behave incorrectly or badly, but that is no reason at all to associate those behaviors with the group as a whole. To do so with be malpractice of thought.

From a philosophical perspective, racism is fundamentally incompatible with modern, multicultural society. There is even an argument to be made that it was incompatible in past times, too.

If we are to believe that there are such things as inalienable rights, then the manifestation of racism is itself an affront to those beliefs.

The Psychology of Racial Discrimination

Incisive and comprehensive studies on the mind have yielded valuable insight into the human mind and behavior; as such, they are a treasure trove for understanding more about racism and its relationship with our mental states.

Racism often comes intuitively to the mind because it helps conserve brain power. The human mind wants to work as effectively and as efficiently as it can. To this end, it often oversimplifies and/or generalizes a lot. This does with groups of people too, conjuring up stereotypes that can either be positive or negative, but always harmful.

Stereotyping is always harmful because it makes you assume attributes from a person who may not have them.

Moving Forward from These Fears

While much progress has been made to address racism and discrimination, it remains an ever-present idea. Learn more about contemporary racism in DeHaven Jacque Alexander’s book Racism in White America.