Modern Racism and International Medias Role - Essay Example

Racism is Widespread in the Modern Society Modern Racism and International Media’s Role In the modern world, there are various forms of discrimination and abuses. The perpetrators of these acts aim at hurting and evoking emotional reactions of the victims. Consequently, both discrimination and cases of abuse have various adverse effects on the victims. The excellent form of discrimination is racial abuse. Racism is the verbal abuse or provocative gestures aimed at people due to their skin color. Moreover, racists often believe that their race is superior and valuable than that of others. Consequently, they feel they have the right to dominate other inferior races. Although racism is something of the past, various instances are still existent in the modern world. Racism is caused by ignorance and fear of self-love and desire to feel superior to others. As a result, various victims of racism experience depressions and emotional torture. Racism in the modern society is caused by a number of factors. Currently, the numerous cases of racism around the world are caused by various factors. One of the main causes of racism and discrimination is the instinctive reaction of different people (“Racism”). Many people from various communities have different instinct reactions for protection. According to Kraidy (p. 319), it is rational and normal for people from the same tribe, culture or race to relate and interact together. Human beings are often comfortable and free with people they share similar traits, behaviors, and appearance. As a result, people feel threatened and insecure when others attack their culture or race. Most of them react by adopting different tactics as a way of revenging or expressing frustration and anger. Thus, racism is one of the instinctive reaction of people for self-protection. Many people from different backgrounds and races frequently feel threatened by people from other races. Consequently, they react by abusing and discriminating against them since they feel they are superior and more valuable than other races. Cultural hybridity is another breeding ground for racism in the modern society (Class Notes, Week 13). Due to lure of the west and non-western desire, many people have migrated to the western countries from Africa, Asia among other countries leading to a mixture of races. Moreover, though globalization has encouraged movement of people from one country to the other and interracial relations. A few cases are reported of racism, which are perpetrated by the host countries. Moreover, looking for employment opportunities has also seen some people subjected to harsh treatments because of their racial origins. For example, a number of times international media such as CNN and leading publications such as New York times have reported cases of mistreated workers in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, this reportage show that the global media is aware of modern racism and helping to eradicate it through reportage. Racism is also caused by the availability of economic benefits. According to Better (“Institutional Racism”), most people practice racism due to various economic interests in the society. Many people argue that acts of racism are common in situations where people are in directs competition for the limited economic benefits in the society. For instance, various acts of racism are often evident when people or groups are in direct competition for different employment opportunities in the community. The numerous acts of racism may result from either managers or competing parties. Managers racially discriminate against potential employees when they only hire people from their races. In addition, those in competition can also racially abuse others as a way of intimidating them. This practice is always common where Europeans compete for various economic benefits with blacks or Indians. Most Europeans view themselves as a superior and valuable race (Class Notes Week 13). Consequently, they look down upon other nations or communities around the world. It also limits journalism practices, international relations, and communication since Europeans are not interested in views and opinions of inferior races. Additionally, it makes them subject others to racial abuse as a way of intimidating them and shuttering their confidence. This practice is unethical and results in unfair competition among various nations. Additionally, racism has various adverse effects on the victims. Racism has numerous and deadly health effects on the victims (“The Many Costs of Racism”). Many victims of racism develop various emotional problems. They lead stressful lives filled with disturbing thoughts and ideas. When one is racially abused, he/she develops mixed feelings, as they feel inferior and undervalued in the community set up. Such mixed feelings cause stress and depression in victims. As a result, most victims lack direction and make irrational decisions. Thus, some resort to suicide or isolation to overcome their emotional torture. Besides, it is advisable that various victims of racial abuse to consult professional help from various medical counselors or medical practitioners. Professional help is vital since it enables victims to cope and overcome various problems caused by racism. Furthermore, racism results in hatred and disunity among various people around the world. It is normal for oppressed people to become agitated and angry towards their oppressors. They develop negative attitude and hatred towards these people. The same is expected of victims of racism around the world. These people develop hate and dislike their abusers; thus, both the racists and victims become enemies. The animosity between these two groups leads to disunity and disruption of the peace and unity in the community (Kraidy, p. 325). Further, it also limits interaction and socialization activities in the society. Due to the various effects of racism, people should desist from these acts and practices. Although racism is real, and a problem in the modern world, various government, and human activists can devise many appropriate and relevant ways of reducing and ultimately eliminating it in different communities around the world. Chin (“The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination”) also states that concerned government agencies should create awareness and education centers. They should make many communities around the world know the adverse effects of racism through various media channels such as television and radios. International media such as CNN, BBC among other should increase their reportage of racism cases. By exposing such cases, many people will become aware of its widespread and work collectively as a society to eliminate it. This will also encourage the victims to speak out. Moreover, the media can also help in fighting racism by publicly condemning these practices and educating the public through various programs and adverts. This ensures many people in various countries get the message since in most countries around the world audiences like to watch and heed to advise from their country`s programs (Class Notes Week 12). Another way the media can help fight racism is through cross-cultural production of media content such as music. For example, cross cultural collaboration between Czech and African-American hip hop can create a cultural product accepted by all ethnic groups (Kumanyika and Elavsky, p.259). In such a case, no race will see itself as superior and thus there will be no discrimination on basis of one’s race. In conclusion, racism is real and a threat to the peaceful coexistence of the international community. In the modern world, racism is caused by various factors ranging from ignorance to instinctive reactions for self-protection. Moreover, racists also abuse other as a way of releasing their anger and frustration for missed opportunities in the community. Racism has numerous adverse effects such as emotional torture and depression. On the geopolitical front, racism that arises on the level of national difference can cause friction between nations and affect international relations. Due to the importance of this issue to the international community, the global media should contribute to the eradication of racism by exposing various incidents and forms of racism, as well as educating the public about it. Such an action will create awareness and eliminate ignorance about the issue within global communities. Additional Sources Better, S. (2008). Institutional Racism. Rowman & Littlefield. Chin, J. L. (2009). The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination. ABC-CLIO. Feagin, J. R., & McKinney, K. D. (2005). The Many Costs of Racism. Rowman & Littlefield. Friedman, L. S. (2006). Racism Greenhaven Press. Read More