Racism: Cause and Effect of Racism in Today's Society (Essay Sample)

Student Name
Instructor Name
Course Number
22nd September, 2016
Racism: Cause and Effect of Racism in Today’s Society
Although many claim racism is nonexistent in today’s society, racism still exists and comes in many different forms. Racism refers to discrimination against people because they belong to a different race on a belief that they are inferior. The members of a particular race are perceived to have qualities that distinguishes them from people therefore they are seen as inferior e.g. due to their color, language or customs (Chin, Jean L 32). It also involves stereotyping and prejudice.
Racism can be broadly categorized into: individual level racism which occurs at personal level and systematic level racism that occur at institution level or within the structure of the society. Individual level racism can be: internalized racism whereby people have negative attitude, bias and stereotypes towards themselves as they feel they are inferior e.g. believing that they are less intelligent and interpersonal racism which involve behaviors that occur as people interact with one another. Systematic racism can be: institutional racism which is seen in institutions such as work places and structural racism in the society and among different institutions (Chin, Jean L. 32). This discrimination comes about because of culture, beliefs, history and policies within the institutions.
Racism can also be: blatant/ overt racism which is type of racism in which people openly and unapologetically express how they feel about people of a different race, covert/polite racism whereby racists do not express how they feel openly and unintentional/subliminal racism whereby a person unknowingly or unintentionally stereotypes or discriminates people of a given race e.g. children may be racist due to the actions of their parents or friends.
Roots of racism and racism in the United States
Racism began with the introduction of modern slave trade. It was a consequence that came as a result of slavery. As time went by, racism was embedded in the institutions within the society in order to make slavery legitimate (Albanesi, Heather, and Carole A. 22). Racism also was used to promote capitalism as it could not exist without racism.
Just like any other state in the world, the United State has been experiencing racism. Research done in 2015 shows that six out of ten Americans agree that racism is bad and four out of ten think that the challenge is becoming worse. It is not only about disparity between the whites and blacks but the Arabs and other non-black countries are affected. Research by Federal Bureau of Investigation shows that 47% of crimes committed out of hate are racial, research by Washington post shows that black men who are not armed are more likely to be shot by police compared to whites whereas women are from time to time beaten, raped or killed by police (Wallis, Jim 30). There hate groups formed on the basis of racism in different states e.g. Ku Klux Klan, black people earn less than the whites: GDP per capita (2008 to 2015) for white people was $13,260 whereas for blacks was $11,908.
Even though there are still many instances of racism in America, the population consists of people from different countries in the world. There are black senators in America and people elected a black president. People from different races make their contributions in improving and making America a better nation as race is becoming a thing of the past.
 Does racism still exist today?
There are many incidents that show that racism still exists e.g. in the United States black people and other minorities are still discriminated by whites (Gallagher, Charles A, and Cameron D. Lippard 18). There are groups such as KKK which is a racial group that discriminates and harms people, black people are more likely to be shot by policemen, they are paid less for the services they offer compared to whites and whites have higher chances securing jobs compared to blacks.
On the other hand some people think that racism doesn’t exist. There have been some milestones in eradicating racism in different countries. In the United States, a black president was elected by the American people; there are black people in the senate and even the army. The state also gives chances to blacks and other minorities to study in the country through scholarships. Many economic ties are between different countries through trade and other activities such as sports, black players are accepted in football club.
The effects of racism
Racism has a negative impact on individuals, community and the country since it is against human and civil rights of people. It brings about racial inequality that may make an individual or community feel inferior. As a result of this, an individual may suffer low self-esteem, psychological pain, lack of belonging, hatred, fear and death (Gallagher, Charles A, and Cameron D. Lippard 44). Due to these people may lose opportunities for securing employment and accessing education. This as a result affects the community and the country as a whole due to poor productivity of the citizens.
Strategies used to eradicate racism
Over the years people have learnt that racism is bad and therefore they are str...