Racism Is Far from Being Eliminated

Currently, racism, hate, and intolerance are present in people’s lives, and love is no longer the force that

moves the world. People reject what is different and unknown, including other people. People have several

prejudices against groups and individuals because of their religion, disability, sexual orientation, and race. It is

important to promote tolerance and inclusion because racism has strengthened, and it has motivated violent

attacks around the world. Racism is not an isolated problem; therefore, its prevention requires the participation

of the entire society through education, community engagement, and political will and legislative action.

To start, how people treat others reflects the way they have been taught to treat others in schools and

homes. Schools’ curricula should include anti-racism initiatives and activities that recognize the value of

bicultural and multicultural identities of individuals and groups. For example, schools can implement

workshops which mix children of different backgrounds and allow one-on-one interaction, so students learn

how to live in a diverse would. However, schools and teachers cannot always provide guidance about anti-

racism values and principles, and they must work with specialized organizations. To illustrate, the Southern

Poverty Law Center, an organization in the United States, distributes material “free of charge to educators

across the country – award-winning classroom documentaries, lesson plans, curricula, Teaching Tolerance

magazine, and more” to combat racism (Southern Poverty Law Center). Education is not limited to a classroom,

and parents have the responsibility to be role models and demonstrate a deep respect for other cultures and

races. For instance, parents must expose their children to multicultural experiences and encourage them to end

stereotypes and prejudices. Exposure to these experiences reveals acceptance towards those who are different.

In summary, education is the basis to fight against racism; however, it is also necessary that with the knowledge

about racism people take action in their communities.

Moreover, communities have to create a coalition against racism that includes the work of the media,

civic groups, and the police. The media plays a powerful role to expose and denounce racism; for this reason,

people must use it to spread tolerance and motivate others to act. According to the Southern Poverty Law

Center, people can “spread tolerance through social media and websites, church bulletins, door-to-door fliers,
letters to the editor, and print advertisements. Hate shrivels under strong light.” Civic groups organize vigils,

anti-racism demonstrations, protests, and rallies to build connected and accepting communities. As proof,

several anti-racism rallies were held across the United States in response to the violence in Charlottesville,

because apathy increases racism and destroys communities. People should report a racist crime, but sometimes

they are reluctant to do it because the police are not trained to recognize or investigate this kind of crime. Police

must work with other organizations to track early warning signs of racism and create programs to prevent and

protect people. As a consequence, the fight against racism needs community members willing to take an active

role, and it also requires the support of laws and policies from governments and leaders.

Furthermore, elected officials and other political leaders must act and create laws that promote respect

and inclusion. When political leaders take a stand against racism, victims feel supported, community members

feel safe, and space for action can grow. On the contrary, if they do not act, victims feel ignored, and

perpetrators think their actions are acceptable. Laws should aim to protect people, prevent racism, and help

victims. Specifically, Australia’s Racial Discrimination Act “protects everyone in Australia from unfair

treatment on the basis of their race, including descent, national or ethnic origin and immigrant status”

(Australian Human Rights Commission). Laws against racism must have the support of elected officials and

political leaders to guarantee a significant effect on society. , the United States has laws against racism, but the

words and lack of action of Donald Trump “have given support for some of the worst and deepest forms of

racism in the country” (Ayres). Finally, people have to follow and apply anti-racism laws over a long period of

time to make a change.

To conclude, the recent violent attacks show that racism is far from being eliminated, and it is deeply

rooted in people’s minds and hearts. Education provides people the knowledge and skills to successfully engage

with a diverse world. It is crucial that communities work together to break down racism and achieve integration

and diversity. Having the support of political leaders will allow the implementation of anti-racism laws because

people follow their leaders. Changes will not happen immediately, but everyday actions will create the basis for

a society free of racism.