Kite Runner Racism Quotes

Throughout the novel, racism is a prominent form of the abuse of power. Particularly, in the novel, as Amir is reflecting on his relationship with Hassan he realizes that he doesn’t consider Hassan to be a friend regardless of all their adventures, similar to Baba and Ali. He concludes that, “In the end, I was a Pashtun and he was a Hazara, I was Sunni and he was Shi'a, and nothing was ever going to change that. Nothing.” This realization highlights the deep roots of racism that are accepted as a society. Through Amir’s reflection, the audience becomes aware of the societal norms and overwhelming presence of racism during daily life. In order to understand the prominence of racism, it is essential to understand the psychological aspects that

contribute to racism from an unconscious level to genocides. Notable psychologists recognize that, “prejudice stems from deep evolutionary roots and a universal tendency to form coalitions and favor our own side” (Culotta 825). By creating divisions between the “ingroup” and “outgroups” it ensured safety in a time where survival depended on the group. Steven Neuberg, a psychologist at ASU Tempe, further explains the developments stemming the need to differentiate between ingroup and outgroup through describing the initial cognitive process as “part of a threat detection system that allows us to rapidly determine friend from foe…[which] is designed to give many false alarms rather than miss a trace” (Culotta 827). Essentially, initial racist responses are due to evolutionary roots, however the second hand thought process allowing for decision making also has tendencies towards racism. Dr. Clay Routledge explores the psychological motives behind racism, which leads to three alternate conclusions. While it was essential for basic survival, he found that racism is used to create positive images of the ingroup and negative ideas relating to outgroups. By doing so, individuals also receive the psychological benefits of a raised self esteem (Routledge). Racism is also a path to maintain order and control in an individual's life, providing meaning which is a fundamental human tendency (Routledge). Whether racism is used for basic survival, to gain the psychological benefits of creating positive distinctiveness, boosting self esteem, or providing meaning to one’s life, these racist inclinations can be heightened in certain situations. He recognizes that “when their sense of meaning is threatened or the world feels uncertain, they will turn to their worldviews [promoting racial superiority] for guidance and comfort,” which can prove to disastrous effects. Hosseini highlights the heightened racism during the war, in which individuals like Assef feel a need to maintain power and control through racist actions. By analyzing the psychological benefits, the racism present in the novel provides a common example of the abuse of power.
With the psychological benefits of racism and the heightened situation due to the war, this form of the abuse of power affects all levels of society in the novel.

It is found ingrained into every aspect of life, from a personal level to an entire social structure. In the Kite Runner, the young boys of privileged families would taunt other Afghans based on classifications of status, religion, or prestige. The racism was directed on a personal level, like Assef’s attitude towards Hassan, on a group level, like the neighborhood boys toward Ali, and as an entire society, since the Hazaras who were Shi’ite Muslims were slaves to the Sunni Muslims. The societal structure differentiates between groups of people with the belief that one is better than the other. This form of the abuse of power allows for social stability for Afghanistan, but it also oppresses an entire religious sect. In order to maintain order, racism is deeply ingrained to the society and is widely accepted, therefore openly practiced by the citizens. Essentially, the “ingroup” and “outgroups” are amplified, and ordered around religion. Due to religion being a core aspect of life, as described in the novel by mentioning specific times for prayer, racism must also be a core aspect of the society. According to Dr. Phil Zuckerman, racism is more intense and common among religious groups of people. By having religion as a central factor to the country, racism correspondingly exists. Regardless if it is exercised on an individual or societal scale, the abuse of power in the mannerism of racism affects the entire

country.