Exploring the Impact and Solutions to Racism

Throughout this essay I will prove how racism affects people, and how we could try to stop this. Racism is a belief that a race is the primary determinant of human traits, capacities and that racial differences produce and inherent superiority of a particular race. A racist is someone who is racially prejudice and discriminating.

Terms referring to racism are testing words in our society. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans live daily with the effects of both institutional and individual racism. Some believe that race is the only determinant of human abilities and capacities. Some behave as if racial differences produce superiority in Caucasians. In fact, such individuals respond to people-of-color and whites differently merely because of their race. As a consequence, people of color are wounded by judgments and/or actions that are in fact, directly or indirectly racist. A considerable amount of attention is now focused on an individual racist behavior. Yet, just as individuals can act in racist ways, so can institutions. Institutions can behave in ways that are overtly racist by excluding people-of-color from services or opportunities.

The aftermath of racism has had a negative effect on a generation of different races, and religions. Racism infests our schools, hospitals, playgrounds, and especially our workplace. Imagine going to work or school to an environment full of people who dislike you because of your skin color. The American Heritage Dictionary defines racism as "The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that particular race is superior to others." I define racism as pure ignorance that will lead to violence, diversity and a lack of self-worth for the individual being discriminated