Photo by Pavel Danilyuk
Racism can take on many forms. Some can be explicit, while others not so. This is precisely one of the reasons why it’s been likened to a virus that mutates.
From the now unfortunate common occurrence of mass shootings with racist basis and unspecified aggressions against minorities, racism is still a familiar event in society. Whenever these encounters happen, people are typically welcomed with the government’s default statement, “This is not who we are.” A common plead for authorities to call into people’s conscience. However, despite this seemingly logical and accurate appeal, the discriminatory behavior people express is found to be natural. It’s who people are.
People learn to be however they become by what society and culture teach them. This is also on top of how their human nature, biology, and innate psychological patterns mold them to be.
When it comes to racism, people assume that they become racist through active teaching and influence. However, the truth is the exact opposite. Unless people are taught NOT to become racist, they will be. This is because racism isn’t some deep-seated evil. It only becomes one when people aggressively act on this natural tendency.
When it comes to racism, people assume that they become racist through active teaching and influence. However, the truth is the exact opposite. Unless people are taught NOT to become racist, they will be. This is because racism isn’t some deep-seated evil. It only becomes one when people aggressively act on this natural tendency. Instead, racism is a product of people’s environment and the us-them mentality deeply rooted in their biology and human nature.
Indeed, it may be natural for people to discriminate against those they deem an out-group. Again, this doesn’t automatically mean hostility toward these minorities, and it only becomes one due to what people’s environment and society teach them.
Discourse about racism and people’s seemingly natural tendency to discriminate and be prejudiced has long existed, persisting to this day. Racism still lives in today’s society. It may not be as conspicuous as how it was in the past, but it’s still as loud as it is now. Racism has continued to persevere, likely mutating to ways that are better fitted in society. It has transcended from influencing traditions and institutions to now, people’s unconscious lives. They may carry out racist behaviors without proactively choosing to, coming to them more naturally, driven by their unconscious biases.
Various authors with ethnic backgrounds or coming from minorities have written about the injustices they’ve experienced, calling people out on their prejudices. Some have mentioned how racism may be more organized and executed with people’s bold decisions. But others have specified how this concept happens naturally more than common belief and perception. For instance, in The Corporate Plantation on Bells’ book, author King Bell writes about how unfair it is to be black in America. He alludes that racism may be more natural, seemingly an epidemic, and that it feels like being black has become a crime.
During the time of writing this book, society might have already improved its approach to racism and discrimination. While hostile actions toward minorities are still observed and can happen occasionally, they’re now heavily frowned upon. These behaviors have become condemned, and people from the majority defend the victim, not condoning the conduct. Explicitly expressing racism is no longer socially acceptable. But again, as racism has likewise influenced people unconsciously, this condemnation of direct racism doesn’t automatically end racism in general.
Racism persists within modern society. It might not be as apparent and explicit as before. But this current form of racism still has the same damaging effects.
The old, more traditional forms of racism tended to be executed through blatant discriminatory actions, words, and opposition to policies supporting equality. Contemporary racism is subtler, using and acting more on implicit negative beliefs based on race or ethnic background. These behaviors aren’t as obvious, and they’re often expressed in more acceptable ways.
Contemporary racism is ingrained in people’s beliefs about equal rights and attitudes. Although this isn’t as evident or physically present and aggressive as traditional racism, blood won’t be spilled, and bruises won’t be developed. This would still bruise these individuals’ well-being. Instead of fist-fighting or physical hostility, contemporary racism can manifest through people’s avoidance of initiating meaningful contact with these minorities. This lack of physical connection can cultivate a sense of separation and ostracism for these individuals. Hence, while blood and bruises won’t manifest, psychological warfare ensues within these minorities.
This new, more subdued expression of racism calls for people’s understanding of the concept to become more nuanced. Instead of focusing on and associating racism with explicit behaviors, it’s time people concentrate on examining motives. An unwillingness to consider the reasons behind these actions will lead to people using a color-blind approach to warding off racism.
Gone are the days when one only calls it racism the moment fighting and blood has been spilled. Subtlety and elusiveness are the newest means for people to express their prejudiced notions, which are more acceptable to society as they can easily pass through people’s eyes.
To be better protectors of these minority groups, people must become more observant of toned-down expressions and behavior that will lead to separating minorities from the general group. Simply because they’re communicated relatively peacefully doesn’t mean these behaviors come from logical reasons. Often, these are only masking detrimental basis and notions.
Clairevoyance 
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