Racism is a concept that’s not limited to only one country, nor is it a notion that victimizes only one group.
Race and racism as concepts originated relatively recently. Hence, it’s not surprising how it’s a belief that’s still not widely received positively. The idea of race is a social construct. It categorizes people according to their appearance, speech, and collective practices. And perhaps, it is due to this categorization that pushes people to order themselves in comparison with others constantly.
In today’s generation, the concept of racism has become a complex notion. It has surpassed the focus on physical cruelty and conflict and has now encompassed offensive speech and disrespectful gestures. With this expansion of presentation, people have likewise increased their vigilance in recognizing and criticizing such behaviors. Though manifested and observed in various manners, it continues to be a universally frowned upon behavior, which some people fail to pursue.
While trends are commonly limited and point at particular countries regarding data about racism, it’s still crucial to note that it remains rampant globally.
Globalization and Racism
As the world continues to increase in globalization, so does the racial inequality that comes with it. Globalization has opened the world with more opportunities for integrated work. Nations have started to work hand-in-hand, with people offering their skills to different countries for continuous growth. As nations constantly demand skilled workers for globalization, there’s a constant influx of people in other countries. This increases racial bias and the concept of inferiority-superiority, as manifested through people from the host country developing and displaying hostility toward others.
Europe and Racism
In theory, the concept of racism can be traced back and associated with European exploration, especially once Christopher Columbus landed in America. As he subdued people whom his quest encountered, this is when theories about race started to develop. This event helped justify the difference in treatment across different ethnicities. In addition to exploration, Europe is also one of the countries where the effects of neo-Nazism are continuously felt – though evidently of lesser influence than before. In line with this, there is still a percentage of their population that may treat ethnic minorities and those with a different culture differently.
North America and Racism
One of the most significant and prominent issues America constantly faces is racism. Almost yearly, a momentous event related to racial discrimination rises in America. From police brutality to racial profiling and even slavery against ethnic minorities, America shares a long list of history of racism. In fact, when it comes to documented accounts, America is at the top of the countries that exhibit the behavior. In King Bell’s book of different race relations in America, the book follows the story and pain of the main character as he experiences racism first-hand. Through forced adherence to European customs in America, the author writes about how it is to live in a place where everything he sees is derivative and a denial of Africa. Unfortunately, what the author writes is only one among the thousands of cases of racism minorities experience every day.
Asia and Racism
As mentioned, racism isn’t only an experience limited to one race. And the conflicts within Asian nations are proof of that. For instance, in Indonesia, there is a lot of experienced violence against the Chinese population, who are blamed for the economic problems that affected the country in previous years. This hostility is only one amongst the many clashes of interest throughout Asia. Though some of these circumstances don’t fit the definition of racism, the biased and prejudiced perception that comes with it is similar to what is observed in racism.
To learn more about racism as a universal experience, check out a narrative from an experienced man who lived with it himself: https://americant.theauthorkingbell.com/
