RACISM - (noun)
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; Discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
www.Dictionary.com
Unfortunately, it’s become commonplace for some of us to claim Racism. When things don’t go our way, it must be Racism. I didn’t get the job, Racism. They don’t like me, that has to be due to Racism. They caught someone red-handed with his hand in the cookie jar. Well, guess what? That’s Racism too. At least that’s what some people will have you to believe.
Throughout history (and at present day) people have dealt with the pain, humiliation, degradation, debasement and other cruelties associated with Racism. People of all types, all ethnicities and varying racial groups, at one time or another, have experience Racism. We know that Racism hurts people. Racial Prejudice is particularly painful and often debilitating when accompanied by discrimination and institutionalized practices that prevent entire groups of people from enjoying life to the fullest and realizing opportunities available to other groups of people.
Read about the struggles of Native Americans after the European settlers took over their land and attempted to relegated the Native Americans to a menial existence. Study this nation’s Cilvil Right’s Movement to learn about the countless battles for freedom, justice and equality lead by African Americans from their horrific enslavement, through the Jim Crow and Civil Right’s eras, to their contemporary struggles of similar relevance. Research the trials of tribulations of Latino immigrants trying to realize the American dream only to be faced with numerous unreasonable roadblocks designed to stifle their upward mobility. Continue by discussing the racial, social and economic inequality suffered by the Japanese, Chinese, Africans, and the list goes on...
If you study the subject of Racism, you will find that an untold number of men and women actually suffered from, contended with, and in some situations, overcame, hateful, devastating and brutal Racism. We do our brave, audacious and spirited ancestors and modern-day heros/sheros an inexcusably serious disservice when we use the term Racism inappropriately, in haste and without cause. Such an act denigrates, depreciates and trivializes what our forefathers and current-day leaders have worked so hard for. Hence the phrase, “They are playing the race card.” When this sentiment is expressed, it connotes a feeling that suggests a person or group or people are using the term Racism, as a smokescreen designed to mask their true intentions, wrongdoing and/or incompetence. When the term, Racism, is so frequently and readily used and accepted on face value, it’s hard to ignore the possibility that sometimes the word is being misused.
Racism is not homogenous with prejudice, which means to prejudge without reason or actual experience. Racism is more than a disapproval, disliking or even an aversion to a particular racial or ethnic group. Racism is composed of all the aforementioned components along with the ability to effectively and systematically discriminate against a group while generating calamitous affects on the group’s ability to prosper. It is imperative that we begin to hold our contemporaries accountable for playing the race card with reckless abandon.
At a minimum, individuals who allege Racism should be able to articulate, outline and delineate the following.
Implicitly explain exactly who is considered to be employing racist tactics.
With regard to a given situation, pinpoint the precise aspects that are inherently racist at their core.
Describe how a conspiracy of Racism is being implemented against you.
Clearly demonstrate that there are no other plausible possibilities to your theory, assertion or allegation charging Racism.
Absent these realistic criteria, one should not rush to conclude that Racism is at the nucleus of any act where people of varying hues find themselves at odds, especially when neither of those individuals possess the wherewithal to exact true Racism on the other party and/or his/her group of affiliation.
In closing, on behalf of every Native American who lost their land or died at the hands of European settlers; on behalf of every African American man who was hanged by an angry lynch mob; on behalf of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans who in 1942, were forcibly assigned to “relocation centers” otherwise known as concentration camps, on behalf of all my Latino and African American brothers and sisters who are routinely denied housing, jobs and opportunities through no fault of their own; and on behalf of everyone who has truly been victimized by the harsh and revolting realties of this sickness called Racism, I respectfully request that my contemporaries refrain from using race as a self-serving and expedient instrument to camouflage their own miscalculations, shortcoming and indiscretions. When you do this, it serves as an injustice to us all. Please stop.
Sincerely,
Ken McDaniel
Leadership For A Better Paterson
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; Discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
www.Dictionary.com
Unfortunately, it’s become commonplace for some of us to claim Racism. When things don’t go our way, it must be Racism. I didn’t get the job, Racism. They don’t like me, that has to be due to Racism. They caught someone red-handed with his hand in the cookie jar. Well, guess what? That’s Racism too. At least that’s what some people will have you to believe.
Throughout history (and at present day) people have dealt with the pain, humiliation, degradation, debasement and other cruelties associated with Racism. People of all types, all ethnicities and varying racial groups, at one time or another, have experience Racism. We know that Racism hurts people. Racial Prejudice is particularly painful and often debilitating when accompanied by discrimination and institutionalized practices that prevent entire groups of people from enjoying life to the fullest and realizing opportunities available to other groups of people.
Read about the struggles of Native Americans after the European settlers took over their land and attempted to relegated the Native Americans to a menial existence. Study this nation’s Cilvil Right’s Movement to learn about the countless battles for freedom, justice and equality lead by African Americans from their horrific enslavement, through the Jim Crow and Civil Right’s eras, to their contemporary struggles of similar relevance. Research the trials of tribulations of Latino immigrants trying to realize the American dream only to be faced with numerous unreasonable roadblocks designed to stifle their upward mobility. Continue by discussing the racial, social and economic inequality suffered by the Japanese, Chinese, Africans, and the list goes on...
If you study the subject of Racism, you will find that an untold number of men and women actually suffered from, contended with, and in some situations, overcame, hateful, devastating and brutal Racism. We do our brave, audacious and spirited ancestors and modern-day heros/sheros an inexcusably serious disservice when we use the term Racism inappropriately, in haste and without cause. Such an act denigrates, depreciates and trivializes what our forefathers and current-day leaders have worked so hard for. Hence the phrase, “They are playing the race card.” When this sentiment is expressed, it connotes a feeling that suggests a person or group or people are using the term Racism, as a smokescreen designed to mask their true intentions, wrongdoing and/or incompetence. When the term, Racism, is so frequently and readily used and accepted on face value, it’s hard to ignore the possibility that sometimes the word is being misused.
Racism is not homogenous with prejudice, which means to prejudge without reason or actual experience. Racism is more than a disapproval, disliking or even an aversion to a particular racial or ethnic group. Racism is composed of all the aforementioned components along with the ability to effectively and systematically discriminate against a group while generating calamitous affects on the group’s ability to prosper. It is imperative that we begin to hold our contemporaries accountable for playing the race card with reckless abandon.
At a minimum, individuals who allege Racism should be able to articulate, outline and delineate the following.
Implicitly explain exactly who is considered to be employing racist tactics.
With regard to a given situation, pinpoint the precise aspects that are inherently racist at their core.
Describe how a conspiracy of Racism is being implemented against you.
Clearly demonstrate that there are no other plausible possibilities to your theory, assertion or allegation charging Racism.
Absent these realistic criteria, one should not rush to conclude that Racism is at the nucleus of any act where people of varying hues find themselves at odds, especially when neither of those individuals possess the wherewithal to exact true Racism on the other party and/or his/her group of affiliation.
In closing, on behalf of every Native American who lost their land or died at the hands of European settlers; on behalf of every African American man who was hanged by an angry lynch mob; on behalf of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans who in 1942, were forcibly assigned to “relocation centers” otherwise known as concentration camps, on behalf of all my Latino and African American brothers and sisters who are routinely denied housing, jobs and opportunities through no fault of their own; and on behalf of everyone who has truly been victimized by the harsh and revolting realties of this sickness called Racism, I respectfully request that my contemporaries refrain from using race as a self-serving and expedient instrument to camouflage their own miscalculations, shortcoming and indiscretions. When you do this, it serves as an injustice to us all. Please stop.
Sincerely,
Ken McDaniel
Leadership For A Better Paterson
