Racism
Introduction
Racism may refer to the process of showing some favors to a person belonging to a particular country or continent. According to Derek and Griffith, (381-392), racism is a very complicated issue that shoots up from a person’s attitude or feelings as the values that attaches that individual with the society as well as the institution practices. Accordingly, they acknowledge the many forms that racism may take such as in jests and even social comments. They note that some of the comments that individuals make on others can hinder them from being active participants in the work place (Derek & Griffith, 381-392). At a systemic level, racism occurs through plans of action that are implemented within organizations that happen to favor some people from a particular country or continent at the expense of others who originate from a different background. In the context presented by the authors in the readings, racism has a profound place in the minds of the characters and carries various meanings for the concept. Thus, this paper will circumnavigate through the various implications attached to have a better understanding of what racism means.
Effects of racism
Uncertainties
The effects of racism can be very detrimental in a person’s well-being. For instance, in a racist community one lives in fear of being physically attacked by his peers or even by other individuals (Graham et al., 553-563). Concerning the reading by Clint Margrave, the author starts by an indication that the protagonist is half Jewish working in Mexico with a group of friends. As such, his friend believes that if only he can agree to be converted to be a Nazi, he can be safe. As a result, he alleges that if the Mexicans find him not having groomed up like them, they will get him killed. The implication here is that the main character’s friend is a foreigner working in Mexico and as such, he fears to mess up with the conventions of the hosts. He quotes, “do you think I’m crazy? They’d kill me. Ricky has his whole damn gang after me.” Later, he reveals that his friend was a Nazi and could be treated with scorn if the group of the Mexican gang of friends came to realize he did not belong to their country (Margrave, 151-156). As such, this may be true that as a foreigner one goes through so much suffering regarding security. In arguably, the security of an individual starts with the individual. Mostly, in foreign countries, one’s handwork is termed as working for the stay in the foreign country, and once an individual does not work, they are threatened with all sorts of things. Thus, by Chuck’s friend defining racism under this perspective could have special bearing to many of the problems encountered in foreign countries and especially if one is a refugee.
Hard work
Besides, one would argue that, in a racist society, the victims get punished with the difficult tasks while their equals get special treatment from those higher in the organizational hierarchy. For example, the author reveals that since Chuck’s mother worked in the managerial position, occasionally he would get picked to do other easier tasks leaving him to carry on with the difficult tasks (Margrave, 151-156). Remarkably, this denotes alienation in the workplace whereby if are a foreigner, you have to do the difficult jobs while the citizens carry out simple jobs. Outstandingly, alienation in employment is a common practice in many organizations or work places. Significantly, it mostly happens if you do not come from a particular set of society or if educational certificates work against you. Besides, Chuck believed that, when an individual works in foreign countries, their employers tend to convert them into slaves. It is for this reason that Chuck has strong believe that most of the employees were meant to stay in Mexico for their entire lifetime till they were no longer productive. He quotes, “You think anybody has a future? Look at ’em. They’re gonna die in this place.” Hence, he strongly hopes that it is only him and the protagonist that will make their way out of the foreign land. By such things, individuals feel alienated and separated from work and cannot work to their full capabilities.
Hatred
In another context from the “The Appropriation of Cultures,” racism has also been predominant. To begin with, hatred is seen as an ingredient that spices up the concept of racism as evident in the song Daniel is forced to produce for a group of students. From the text, Daniel reveals his hatred for the white songs not because the songs are bad, but because they are songs belonging to white musicians (Everett &Percival, 281-288). Additionally, when Daniel finally finds himself compelled to play the song for the students, he finds meaning in the lyrics and finds himself singing the song. Ironically, he does it from the heart from which he had passionately used to hate the white’s songs. After the party, he had a big dream in which an extension for racist hatred is manifested. In this dream, he finds himself quarreling with the whites and asks them to give him back his flag. The flag, in this case, could be the manifestation of freedom that had been taken away from him by the whites (Everett &Percival, 281-288). Evidently, during colonization of the African countries, the whites had swept most of the African freedom making them live under their rules. After fighting for their freedom, they were given a flag as a symbol of identity and freedom which Daniel sees in his dream. Therefore, there is meaning in what Daniel defines as hatred over racism.
Physical attacks
Furthermore, in a racist community, one is prone to attacks by the Nationals. In the case of Daniel, having bought the truck from Travis, he faces a physical threat from two gigantic men who confronts him for flying the Southern flag with a lot of passion. Remarkably, the flag in Daniel’s truck was representing a black racist community (Everett &Percival, 281-288). As such, it is evident that, in the midst of a foreign nation, there is no chance granted to exercise your freedom in a foreign land. Additionally, there is no bond of sisterhood and brotherhood in a foreign country by the native citizens. Evidently, this is revealed in an instance when Daniel refers the attackers as brothers when they ask him what he was doing with the flag on his truck. He quotes, “flying it proudly, just like you brothers.” Consequentially, they become astonished to hear Daniel call them brothers. “What did you call us, brothers?” They retorts (Everett &Percival, 281-288). Clearly, this is a straight manifestation of living in isolation with other nationals.
Freedom
Outstandingly, once people fight for their rights in foreign nations, their freedom is finally granted. Consequentially, this is a clear indication of the determination of the black race to fight for their space in the foreign country. After freedom is sought, the black people go marching along the streets with others. Additionally, landmarks are demarcated where the black people can take their families for an outing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, racism has found a profound spot in the modern western countries. Outstandingly, individuals from the black continent are the main victims of racism. In the western countries, many of the black people receive harsh treatment not only in the education sector but also in the job place. As a result, stress and depression levels are high, and the productivity levels decrease. Remarkably, when people are subject to a racist country, the virtue of trust and respect diminishes. However, when the subjects form a solidarity union to rise against their oppressors, freedom and human rights are imminent. Anti-racism communities are also established everywhere in the globe to fight the bad of racism.
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Works cited
Clint Margrave. L.A Fiction Anthology: Acrobats, 1992 pg. 151-156.
Everett, Percival L. “The Appropriation of Cultures.” Callaloo 19.1 (1996): 281-288.
Foundation for Young Australians, The Impact of Racism Upon the Health and Wellbeing of Young Australians (2009), p93.
Graham, Jessica R., Amber Calloway, and Lizabeth Roemer. “The buffering effects of emotion regulation in the relationship between experiences of racism and anxiety in a black American sample.” Cognitive Therapy and Research 39.5 (2015): 553-563.
Griffith, Derek M., et al. “Dismantling institutional racism: theory and action.” American journal of community psychology 39.3-4 (2007): 381-392.
Hall, K.S. L.A Fiction Anthology: From Alta Vista High. 1992, pg 260-261.
Shelby, Tommie. “RACISM, MORALISM, AND SOCIAL CRITICISM 1.” Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race 11.01 (2014): 57-74.
