A complex issue.
There is no doubt about it; racism is a complex psycho-social issue. It is a common affair in modern society. The problem is, the literature is ambiguous about this issue. Views often diverge about the characteristics of racism.
While there is no consensus about the subject, most people are certain they know what racism is. Others believe they can tell who qualifies as a racist. Many use the term haphazardly, some might say, to scold, to chastise, or even to admonish others. Still, it is unclear why people are racists. We are clueless about the reason racism pervades in society.
I believe there is more to racism than most people realize. Popular understandings about racism are in error. But I am not sure about the reason that is the case.
A false belief about racism.
I would say there is a false belief about racism. Most people view racism in black and white. Some use deceptive language to support it, while others use aggressive rhetoric to condemn it. But racism lingers in society. More often than not, there is no clear understanding about this psycho-social event beyond guesses and assumptions.
I do not know whether the fallacy that permeates the literature is unavoidable, or whether it results from our incapacity to examine the topic as objectively as possible. I will say this much though. Traditional definitions about racism are shallow and, often, melodramatic. Such definitions often project racism as the treatment one subjects the other because of racial differences (that is, skin color or ethnicity). The problem is that such an approach to the issues is intrinsically divisive. Understandings about what racism entails or what it could be are too narrow and, often, one-sided.
Introducing my new book.
Let me introduce you to my new book about racism. I title it Racism: What is it? In this text, I propose a unique approach. I believe racism is a global issue. For lack of a better term, racism is everywhere and nobody is immune from it. Everyone is a racist or anyone could behave in such a manner.
The book is a compilation of essays, which I compiled recently about the subject. But it does not explore the features of racism. It does not address the semantics of the term itself. Instead, the book examines “Why” racism is a major problem.
The focus is on the American society. The text analyzes what it is about racism, which makes it such a major issue in modern times. But the views expressed in the book are not a repudiation of the American society. Rather, they make up a critique of the American social reality, particularly for people of color and immigrants.
The book is available online on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the Google Play Store. This is an interesting take on the issues. I encourage you to grab a copy today. Here are the links for Amazon. Racism: What Is It? It is available in both Paperback and eBook formats.