Humorous Account Of Racism In Today's World example essay topic

Racism and prejudice has been present in almost every civilization and society throughout history. Even though the world has progressed greatly in the last couple of decades, both socially and technologically, racism, hatred and prejudice still exists today, deeply embedded in old-fashioned, narrow-minded traditions and values. Racism is a case of 'misplaced hate' and ignorance, being not only discriminatory, but also seemingly foolish with disregard of all human commonsense. Why does racism still exist in today's world? If it still occurs, has the world really progressed at all?

Through extensive research methods and wide reading, it can be proven that racism is still present in the modern world. Racism is based on the belief that one's culture is superior to that of others, and this racial superiority provides justification for discrimination. Racism begins with categorizing by race, and therefore stereotyping particular cultures. A simple definition of prejudice given by St Thomas Aquinas states prejudice as "thinking ill of others without sufficient cause" (1. pg 21). Racism is a major issue in today's society, affecting a large number of the world's population and causing political and social turmoil. To evaluate the true meaning, effects and views concerning racism in today's world, a number of literature sources were researched including novel, films, short stories, poetry, song lyrics, textbooks and magazine articles.

"Black Like Me" written by John Howard Griffin is an excellently written novel, based on factual events experienced by the author himself. It is based in the 1950's, a time when racism was widespread throughout America. The basic outline of the story is the following of one man (Griffin) as he embarks on a journey that takes him to the 'other side'. Griffin is a middle-aged white man, and decides to personally experience the life of a Negro. He achieves this by literally changing the pigmentation in his skin so that he is no longer white. Griffin moves to the deep southern states of America where he is subject to harsh racist treatment by the whites.

By doing so, he experiences first hand the reality of racism and prejudice, almost to the point of disbelief. The story focuses on the lives of Negroes: restricted, brutal and harsh. "My skin was dark. That was sufficient reason for them to deny me those rights and freedoms without which life loses its significance and becomes a matter of little more than animal survival". - (Griffith, on the attitudes held by the whites). As Griffin lives as a Negro he strives to find the 'immortality' in the black race, but finds more fault in the narrow-minded whites.

The novel is an exceptional and creative story that captures the true reality of 'being in someone else's shoes. ' "Black Like Me" supports the hypothesis as it clearly displays how ignorance is deeply embedded in traditional values. Two other novels which contain the theme of racism are "To Kill A Mockingbird", by Harper Lee and "Looking For Alibrandi", by Maria March etta. While both novels support the hypothesis, they differ greatly in their style and technique. "To Kill A Mockingbird" is set in the Great Depression, and is about a black man who is accused of raping a white girl in the South.

An unfair trial and false accusations follow, merely on the basis that he is black. This stereotypical view is presented throughout the famous book, which accurately displays the reluctance of society to become less narrow-minded and traditional. In contrast, "Looking For Alibrandi" is set in the 1990's, with the main character and narrator of the book being seventeen-year-old high school student Josephine Alibrandi. The novel is set in Australia, and takes a modern approach to racism, being another one of life's' many hurdles that many teenagers experience". Educating the Ignorant", written by James Lewis (see Appendix 1), is a lighthearted yet intelligently written short story.

It is written in modern times, and from a young adult's perspective, in contrast to "Black Like Me". Michael, a young man, confronts racist peers and baffles them with his intelligent knowledge. While the racist men claim that each race should return to their country of origin, Michael continually states famous ethnic and coloured people who have remarkably changed the world in which they live. The short story presents a humorous account of racism in today's world, the stupidity and narrow-mindedness associated with it and thereby supports the hypothesis. Song lyrics often come from the heart, and touch listeners like no other source of media does. Many music artists touch on the theme or racism, such as the late famous rapper, Tupac Shakur.

One of his most famous songs, "Changes" (see appendix 2), deals with his personal reflection of the racist world we live in. In the first two lines - "I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself is life worth living should I blast myself?" Shakur displays his desperation and mentions suicide as an option as he still sees no changes in society". I see no changes all I see is racist faces misplaced hate makes disgrace to races... we gotta make a change... it's time for us as a people to start making some changes. Let's change the way we eat, let's change the way we live And let's change the way we treat each other. You see the old way wasn't working so it's on us to do What we gotta do, to survive " The above lyrics display the word's current situation - in desperate need of change. The song was written in the 1990's, and reflects on the way racism is still present in society.

Soon after it's release, it became an anthem for not only African-Americans, but for all minority groups around the world. Modern songs that deal with the issue of racism and prejudice act as a voice for the many young people affected in some way by racism. This message of this song strongly supports the hypothesis as Shakur makes it clear that society needs to try harder to rid itself of old values and prejudices in order for people to feel worthwhile. A reflection of a personal experience was found in an on-line magazine, an article called "Little girl, Don't cry", written by Lees a Barnes (see Appendix 3). Barnes, a dark-skinned American basketball player, wrote about an experience that occurred when she was six years old.

Barnes was subjected to racist taunts and teasing by a group of older boys, and it was only several years later that the event came back to haunt her. Racist slander, especially when directed at children, can be extremely damaging to the individual, and cause emotional upset in their latter life. Like Barnes, many innocent people who have been abused because of the colour of their skin have trouble dealing with the incidents throughout their lives, and this reflects the foolishness of people's actions. Racism is the theme for countless poems, written both by well-know poets as well as children. The two poems selected are "The Winning Poem" by student Emma Mansfield (appendix 4) and "Human Nature or Racism" written by Pa May (appendix 5). "The Winning Poem" is a lyrical poem that deals with racism today in England.

The author clearly presents a clear opinion on the people in her society who are racist, with the last two lines clearly aimed at those individuals. The poem is written from a young person's point of view, and displays how racism, although foolish, is evident throughout the world and effects all ages and colours. "Human Nature or Racism" is written by the well-known poet Pa May, and deals with the connection between racism and human tendency. Both poems support the hypothesis as they deal with racism still being deeply embedded in society, both psychologically and superficially.

The film "Mississippi Burning" is yet another example of the seriousness of racism. In the film, a town comes under siege as racism rages within the community. The Ku Klux Klan is also featured in the film, a group that symbolizes hate. The eerie looking hoods in the film are a reminder of America's dark past, and of current racist groups still present in society. Many of the characters in the film are stuck in old values and teachings, misplacing their hate towards the coloured. The film "Mississippi Burning" supports the hypothesis as it deals with society still living in the past and acting narrow-mindedly towards its fellow human beings.

Within all of the texts mentioned, the theme of racism is present, just like in most of today's societies. All of the researched sources deal with the effects of racism, the foolishness of it and the fact that it still exists in today's modern and so-called advanced world. No matter how much social attitudes evolve, prejudice, hatred and racism will still exist within aspects of society, whether it be in the heart, in the mind or in the souls of those too ignorant to realize the damaging consequences. While technologically today's world has advanced, if society cannot overcome issues such as racism and prejudice, it has not evolved at all.