When one hears the word “racism”, most have a clear understanding of the concept that was learned from a young age. The dictionary definition defines racism as, “Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.” Although there appears to be a clear idea of what racism means, is it correct? In the dictionary definition it uses the word “prejudice”, but does that word describe racism? The word prejudice means, “A preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.” Anyone can be prejudice about anything; black people can also be racist to white people. Racism can also be seen against people who have different spiritual beliefs, it is not
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Society as a whole has come a long way from the past, yet there are still ways racism is discreetly shown. Not all racism is obvious; there is a term called “invisible” racism which means it is hard to know if one is being discriminated against. Some examples of it taking place would be: if security guards follow a black person around the mall because they are afraid of them stealing, an employer not hiring a person due to their Arabic sounding surname, or a Hispanic person being waited on slower at a restaurant. Invisible racism is also harder to address and be prevented. If a person were to be accused of being racist, they could lie and claim against it by making an excuse. The person being discriminated against could think they are the ones in the wrong when they are not, yet will not say anything because they want to avoid dramatic confrontation. Another type of discrete racism is “systemic” racism in which an organization or group seem fair, but in reality make things more difficult for people of different cultural or ethnic backgrounds. Making prerequisites of a task in English so it is purposely harder for foreign people (where English is not their first language) to accomplish, and a job requiring education to have been accomplished in the United States (nothing overseas being acceptable) are some examples of this type of racism taking place. Again, it is harder to address this type of racism since people of different ethnic still receive what is offered, but are not being pushed directly
Society as a whole has come a long way from the past, yet there are still ways racism is discreetly shown. Not all racism is obvious; there is a term called “invisible” racism which means it is hard to know if one is being discriminated against. Some examples of it taking place would be: if security guards follow a black person around the mall because they are afraid of them stealing, an employer not hiring a person due to their Arabic sounding surname, or a Hispanic person being waited on slower at a restaurant. Invisible racism is also harder to address and be prevented. If a person were to be accused of being racist, they could lie and claim against it by making an excuse. The person being discriminated against could think they are the ones in the wrong when they are not, yet will not say anything because they want to avoid dramatic confrontation. Another type of discrete racism is “systemic” racism in which an organization or group seem fair, but in reality make things more difficult for people of different cultural or ethnic backgrounds. Making prerequisites of a task in English so it is purposely harder for foreign people (where English is not their first language) to accomplish, and a job requiring education to have been accomplished in the United States (nothing overseas being acceptable) are some examples of this type of racism taking place. Again, it is harder to address this type of racism since people of different ethnic still receive what is offered, but are not being pushed directly