Racism, doctrine, belief, or assumption that inherited biological differences cause some human subpopulations to be fundamentally different from, or superior to, others. In this sense, racism originated in the mid-19th century, although evidence of racial discrimination can be detected in much earlier historical periods. (Microsoft Encarta ® 2006.)
By the beginning of the 20th century there were frequent discussions of the “race problem”, meaning the social and political consequences of biological differences between human groups. By the end of the 20th century an equally general view was that the “problem” was not race but racism, meaning both the prevalence of racist doctrine and the practice of racial discrimination. Only a historical account can explain the many senses in which the words “race” and “racism” have been used.
This inequality that this piece speaks about is the same equality that has made my colour of skin the deciding factor of my future. Maybe not me as I stand today in a so called “rainbow nation” but it’s affected my history which affects my life path. Where we come from plays a vital role in where I’m going.
Our country having been exposed to this negative aspect of social behavior, our judgments we make are pre-decided by many contributing factors of our history.
Our country having gone through a history of discrimination, this generation, still practices many of the traits that was characteristic of the Apartheid era.
Based on the definition and the information on racism, my question stands: Have we truly over come the discrimination that we practiced for more than a century? Have we truly come to the point that we as humans are equal?
>> Al Postman <<
