racism
rac·ismˈrāˌsizəm/
noun:
1. the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
2. prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.
“A program to combat racism”
similar: racial discrimination, racialism, racial prejudice, xenophobia, chauvinism, bigotry, casteism
“Aborigines are the main victims of racism in Australia”
Not long ago, I rejoined the smart phone community,and with it, I knew right away, comes great responsibility. Social media presence being the cardinal one. I often wonder what the appeal of social media is, and from the outside looking in, it might appear as a demonstration of the humans’ eternal craving for attention, but…. there’s something more to it. An ecosystem of heightened engagement perhaps due to the fact that it is governed by remote actors; the impersonal nature unwittingly breeding candor.
Social media is a case study in the anxious disdain we all harbor towards ‘otherness’. Those are the ingredients that stew famous battles on these platforms. In my little experience, brawling on race has always been animated and hard fought. However, passion doesn’t always follow good sense if not it is a substitute for it. Let me venture into these muddy waters for a brief moment.
Racism, is explicitly suspicious, and it is stubborn. And when it looks in the mirror, Racism does not recognize itself.
There is a visceral, even sentimental reliance on the bosom of racial identity when a racial perspective is challenged with the might of well worked intellectualism. The attempt by well meaning liberals to project a structured understanding of racial question on a bastion of unthinking race based sentimentalism often consolidates the divisions, accentuating the contours of disagreement. This underpins my theory as to why Caucasians are not seen to be legitimate advocates for racial equality nor allowed to hold divergent views from the narrative of perpetual racial suffering of the black race.
The experience of an entire race, seen as an amalgam can not be taken to represent those of every individual within that amalgam. It is a fairly simple concept and presumably well understood. It is less so, when subjected to the fierce exposure of empirical contest. Issues of legitimacy arise, the parameters that make one suitable to discuss racial divisions are amplified and ultimately hijack the discussion. Once again, after a blood-filled confrontation, respective SM handlers herd their prize fighters into their corners and offer varied words of encouragement as well as parting expletives for the opponents. There is no review, only reinforcement and cementing of views, a narrative that victimizes the weak and punishes agency. No effort to investigate the opposing view… are there merits? Is there a learning opportunity?
I have always secretly imagined that the dividend from mere listening and internalizing on thawing racial divisions is often undermined. I have no anecdotal heart-warmer to restore momentary good will towards a race many are openly hostile to nor do I require one to know that a lot is lost in this monotonous racial tug-of-war. I simply resort to a painfully simple concept of peaceful co-existence which is the ONLY sustainable alternative. I cant be bothered to try and discern the mechanics of colonialism, slave trade and suppressed racial tensions blah blah. I only know of a intelligent way forward – Listen & Learn.
In a recent article I read about the Obama legacy, the writer described something about POTUS’ personality I thought was very poignant. He referenced BO’s uncanny ability to assess his predicament in real time, check his thoughts,decisions and actions as they happen and even after, carry out ruthless monitoring and evaluation. This was possible because of his appetite for all possible view points, perspectives and analyses to inform a course of action, to amend a wrongful act, to move forward intelligently. Small wonder he was the first black leader of the free world.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”
