A GEOGRAPHY OF RACISM

A Geography of Racism

Table of contents

Table of contents2

Introduction2

Discussion2

Research methodology4

Findings of the study5

Conclusion7

References9

A Geography of Racism

Introduction

Racism is a certain kind of prejudice, based on faulty reasoning and inflexible generalizations toward a specific group. The word prejudice comes from the Latin noun prejudicial, which means a judgment based on previous decisions formed before the facts were known. If a person allows their prejudiced beliefs to block the progress of another, it is discrimination. Those who exclude all members of a race from certain types of employment, housing, political rights, educational opportunities, or a social interactions are guilty of racial discrimination.( Jennifer 2008)

A recent study conducted by Education Digest indicated that 77 percent of teenagers believe that there is racism at their school. Another staggering 75 percent said that the student body at their particular school is socially segregated. More remarkably, the survey indicated that over 86 percent of high school students feel that there is racism in their communities. The magazine, which circulates 500,000 copies to over 1,900 schools, polled 285 high school juniors and seniors across the country. The poll shows that racism is not just a problem among adults.

Discussion

A common misconception is that children are not capable of prejudice at early age. Yet, this is not true. In 1984 a study by Darlene and Derek Hopson showed this. The study replicated a famous 1930's study, where both black and white students were given dolls of various colors and asked to state which doll was the 'bad' doll, and which was the 'good' doll.( Jennifer 2008)

In the study, 74 percent of the preschoolers, between the ages of 2 and 5, stated that the dark colored doll was the 'bad' doll. The survey shows that children can develop opinions through a variety of sources, even at an early age. According to the Hopsons these sources include the media, what they pick up in their own homes and from the culture in general. (Jennifer, 2008)

The preceding examples illustrate that there is a need to educate students when it comes to racism. Affirmative action and other current programs designed to solve racism only solves the symptoms, not the problem itself. In order to stop racism it is necessary to attack racism at its very roots. Since racism can develop at an early age, it is best to confront the issue before it can spread. In educating children it is important to get everything out into the open. Differences should not be shrugged or discounted. Children should not have their perceptions discounted. For instance, if a child draws attention to a man in a wheelchair, he/she should not be scolded. By scolding the child you are actually saying, according to psychologist Brunson Phillips, that physical disabilities are negative, and that nice people don't notice these conditions. Thus, a child would be better off being told that a wheelchair helps some people to get around.

According Seamus Kearney, a Principal and class teacher in St. Patrick's Primary School in London, education is critical for ...