Skeletons of Society

Racism, according to our dear friends at merriam-webster, is “A belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race”. But in a modern society such as ours can racism be defined merely by this one sentence or are there many factors which underlie the modern individuals perspective towards those of a different race, colour or creed? Are we bound by the social stereotypes we ourselves have created?

I for one believe that everyone is racist. Even if not blatantly racist, the average person is more often than not susceptible to subconscious prejudice. and it is this vulnerability to our subconscious that has made racism socially accepted. It has made this subtle variant of racism more resilient and difficult to counteract. True, political correctness plays a huge part for those in the public eye but in everyday dealings we cant help but discriminate. Whether we are distinguished by our skin colour, accent or passport, whoever meets us still finds the need to categorize us.

While overt prejudice to those of a different race may be virtually non-existent in today's society, subtle prejudices such as those which the bearer himself is unaware of is definitely alive. From a shop-keeper spending more time tending to a caucasian customer rather than an equally interested 'brown' or 'yellow' customer, to a taxi driver preferring to pick up only those fares he considers to be 'less risky'. A judgement made purely on appearance alone.

Yet in today's society it seems that regardless of the stigma surrounding racism it has also become, on some levels, socially acceptable to ridicule other races on a public forum. I mean take a look at the iconic Russel Peters. Many a time I myself have quoted his lines. Were it not for his racist but humorous remarks he would never have achieved the fame he basks in now. The multicultural quality of modern societies cannot be denied and we belong to a variety of nations and cultures, but does it, on the long run, make sense to segregate our society based on the hypothesis that each individual should be assigned a faction.

I too am racist. I don't deny it. And many a time I have been judged based on appearances. But the question posed here is not who but why. why do we humans, as a race, feel the need to be so shallow. why is it that we live in a world, and i quote, "Where black is black, and white is white, and only the blind can truly see."