Why racism will never end: prejudices are caused by misfortunes.
Racism and prejudice have always existed in human history. Being a taboo subject and a controversial topic, many persons have tried to explain and find the reason to such human behavior towards another group of people. Such researches are the hope of many to see the racial discrimination ending. Vincent N. Parillo, through his essay "Causes of Prejudice" tries to explain the reasons of racism and discrimination in the U.S. Parillo divides his essay in two parts, one for the psychological causes and one for the social reasons. In the first part, Parillo cites the main psychological causes as: levels of prejudices (cognitive, emotional and action-oriented), self-justification, personality and frustration. In the second part he deals with the social reasons which are: socialization, economic competition and social norms. For each cause he gives strong arguments based on historical facts or even actual facts and statistics which made his essay reliable.
Studs Terkel’s essay "C.P. Ellis" is another kind of writing that can help us to understand the causes of prejudices. Terkel tells us the story of C.P. Ellis, a former Klansmen who claims he is no longer racist. C.P. Ellis is a white guy from a low-income class. The numerous misfortunes of his life will lead him to become a Ku Klux Klan member. But after some events will happen in his life, he will realize that races do not make a person that different from another. This thought will progressively get him out of racism. Ellis will even accept to work with Ann Atwater, a black woman, on a grant project. This kind of real life story can help us understand why people become racist or have prejudice against another group of people.
C.P. Ellis’s story allows us to look at the reasons in his life that make him become a Ku Klux Klan member and leader. Based on Parillo’s essay we will try to see in Ellis’ story if the reasons of his racism fit Parillo’s ideas of what causes prejudice. In other words, we will see if the psychological and social causes of racism will give us all the solutions to racial discrimination behavior. Looking at Parillo’s essay, the psychological causes of prejudices which are frustration and low self esteem, and a social cause such as economic competition, can explain C.
According to Blumer (1958) there are numerous key factors that contribute to racial prejudice. First, when Blumer is explaining racial prejudice it is tremendously important to note that when defining racial prejudice he is not looking at an individual‘s feelings in particular, he is analyzing racial prejudice within a group. He states that there is an important relationship that needs to occur between various racial groups in order to have prejudice. The individuals within these racial groups need to identify themselves within a particular group, as well as understand where they stand with another racial group.
...r own unique ways.; however, the authors focus on different aspects of prejudice and racism, resulting in them communicating different ideas and thoughts that range from racial discrimination to stereotypical attitudes. The range of ideas attempt to engage the readers about the reality of their issues. The reality about a world where prejudice and racism still prevail in modern times. But when will prejudice and racism ever cease to exist? And if they were ever to cease from existence, what does that mean about humankind?
Racism is not only a crime against humanity, but a daily burden that weighs down many shoulders. Racism has haunted America ever since the founding of the United States, and has eerily followed us to this very day. As an intimidating looking black man living in a country composed of mostly white people, Brent Staples is a classic victim of prejudice. The typical effect of racism on an African American man such as Staples, is a growing feeling of alienation and inferiority; the typical effect of racism on a white person is fear and a feeling of superiority. While Brent Staples could be seen as a victim of prejudice because of the discrimination he suffers, he claims that the victim and the perpetrator are both harmed in the vicious cycle that is racism. Staples employs his reader to recognize the value of his thesis through his stylistic use of anecdotes, repetition and the contrast of his characterization.
In the insightful article “causes of prejudice” written by Vincent N. Parillo, the author begins the intuitive argument with a three paragraph introduction explaining to the reader, briefly, about the social and psychological sides of prejudice. “Negative attitudes can lead to turbulent social relations between dominant minority groups.” (pg. 504) “Psychological perspectives on prejudice-whether behaviorists, cognitive, or psychoanalytic-focus on the subjective states of mind of individuals.”(pg.504) which help the author, not only introduce these topics to the reader, but also aids the reader in understanding the author’s reasoning for writing this article. Progressing further into the author’s argument, the author commences his argument
As human beings, each person might consider himself as unique because we have certain common yet very distinctive structures in our anatomy. The human physiology and basic anatomy are unchanging for all people. However, there are differences in color of the skin, appearance, adaptability, physical viability and many other factors. From generation to generation there is a transformation that shapes and changes all of our traits, and some of the characteristics are greatly influenced by variations in geography and also the environment. Humans have so many similarities, but not all individuals have respect and solidarity towards others. The idea behind this is the feeling that one is better than someone else solidly based on race, and this is what creates and enhances the idea of racism. The reason for choosing racism is to better understand the development of racism and the existing theories that have explained this issue. It is true that racism continues to persist in our current world even after so much research has been done and laws set to guard individuals from racism in all day-to-day sectors of life. With the introduction of modern technology and social media, people started to communicate more with each other and possibly understand other people's perspective. There are several theories that analyze racism.
In broad spectrum, racism refers to a belief that a particular race is superior to another because of their skin color, place of origin or religion. It may also be termed as discrimination against a particular group on grounds of color, cultural believes and religion. People tend to believe that a particular race is more important and superior than others both biologically and intellectually and therefore should never be treated as same (Berg 12). Racism is a vice that has existed since time immemorial and practiced widely in many nations. It is ugly, unwelcome and unacceptable vice that divides a nation in two or more groups, by treating some people as more important a that other thus creating hatred and enmity on racial backgrounds. This paper will strive to explain the causes of racism in societies and its impacts on people’s lives. The paper will further attempt to presents areas where racism is highly evident in sports and other
For centuries, racism has become the universal epitome of culture, despite the efforts of various civilizations, such as the Western and European to combat these indifferences among people. A race is specific social group that can be differentiated through various ways, from facial features and hair textures, to social norms and habits that constitutes to that group. These differences contribute to our uniqueness and humanity. Because people can be grouped by any number of differences, Man, lead by his ignorance, perpetuated the issue once social-hierarchies began to develop, splitting society to its various groups. As a result, social disparity from one’s upbringing became the common tendency to look down, or look up at people of other cultures, skin-colors, or nationalities. Discrimination and unjust social practices affect humanity today.
Racism can be defined as "any set of beliefs, which classifies humanity into distinct collectives, defined in terms of natural and/or cultural attributes, and ranks these attributes in a hierarchy of superiority and inferiority" (Blum 5). It can be directly linked to the past and still, centuries later, serves as a painful reminder that race continues to be one of the "sharpest and deepest divisions in American life" (Loewen 138). What were the causes of racism? How did it develop historically? In order to answer those complex questions, I plan to examine the conditions of America's history from colonialism to present day society. It was these conditions of America's past that promoted the development of racist practices and ideas that continue to be embraced by many to this day.
Human history is littered with racism and prejudice. Vincent N. Parillo tries to explain the origins of racism and prejudice in his essay “Causes of Prejudice”. In the first part of his essay, Parillo explains the psychological approach to racism. In the second half, he speaks about the sociological aspects of racism. His well thought out and organized arguments are extremely insightful in regards to human prejudices. Studs Terkel’s essay "C.P. Ellis" helps define American prejudice from an inside perspective. His story of ex-Klansman C.P. Ellis helps us understand the origins of racism and how it can be passed down from previous generations or is a result of geographical location. Parillo and Terkel both provide insightful information on the
Racism is increasingly seen as a potent cause towards the health of ethnic minorities. Increased interest in this issue has led a growing number of researchers to investigate the correlation of racism and health outcomes. Ethnicity, a socially constructed concept, sees individuals with a common background or culture belonging to a particular group. This results in individuals using ethnicity to represent themselves in relation to others, especially in the presence of other ethnic individuals. However, racism arises when external gestures are made from individuals who show superiority and preference for their own cultural background, due to biological descent. Racism is a problem faced by many ethnic minority groups, resulting in inequalities that lead towards negative health outcomes.
In order to describe and explain the real reasons behind the racism and discrimination that has been happening within the United States. Parillo divides his essay into two parts and in the first part, he starts by citing information to his readers about the psychological causes such as levels of prejudice, self-justification, personality and frustration. In the second part of his essay, he then gives the contrasting sociological reasons which are: socialization, economic competition, and social norms. When writing “Causes of Prejudice” Parillo does a fantastic job on giving very strong and informational statements and then he backs it up with a good variety of historical observations and statistical evidence which makes his essay an extremely reliable to his
Racism is based on the belief that one’s culture is superior to that of others, and this racial superiority provides justification for discrimination. Racism begins with categorising by race, and therefore stereotyping particular cultures. A simple definition of prejudice given by St Thomas Aquinas states prejudice as “thinking ill of others without sufficient cause” (1. pg 21). Racism is a major issue in today’s society, affecting a large number of the world’s population and causing political and social turmoil. To evaluate the true meaning, effects and views concerning racism in today’s world, a number of literature sources were researched including novel, films, short stories, poetry, song lyrics, textbooks and magazine articles.
When a lawsuit mentions words like "former employee" or "where he used to work" people automatically think retaliation may be at the heart of the issue. Perhaps we think that way because we, ourselves, have wanted to be that employee at various times in our lives. We had a bad experience at work, had a bad boss, were let go – whatever the reason, we wanted to get even. So, when we hear that somebody is going after their old employer the natural tendency is to think that it is a grudge match. But what if they really were let go because something was amiss?
This brings attention to why race and ethnicity exist so predominantly in society. There are a number of theories that observe why racism, prejudice, and discri...
Racial Oppression Today, a serious problem exists all over the world. Racial oppression takes place in the poorest and the richest countries, including America. Racial oppression is characterized by the majority, or the ruling race, imposing its beliefs, values, and laws on the minority, or the ruling race. In most areas, the ruling race is upper class whites that run the “system”, and have a disproportionate amount of power. In other areas, it may not be the white race, but it is still the race that comprises the majority, makes the laws, or has the most money.