Racism is a form of prejudice and discrimination that has been used to create divisions among people of different societal groups It is rooted in cultural biases, hierarchy and power dynamics and can manifest itself in a variety of ways, ranging from blatant acts of hatred and discrimination to subtle assumptions, beliefs, and behaviors. Racism is a social construct that is used to classify and categorize people, and it has been used to oppress and marginalize people since antiquity. Despite its history, racism still exists today in many places and must be actively addressed and fought against for a more equitable and just society.
Examples of racism in the past include:
1. Slavery – This is perhaps the most well-known and notorious example of racism in the past. From the 15th to 19th centuries, millions of Africans were forcibly kidnapped and sold into slavery to work for the Europeans. This brutal system was largely justified on the grounds of racial supremacy, with higher social status being afforded to those of European descent.
2. Apartheid in South Africa – The Afrikaaners, who were of Dutch and French descent, ruled over and segregated the majority black population in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. This system of racial subjugation was implemented to maintain the power and wealth of the Afrikaaner elite.
3. The Indian Act – In 1876, the Canadian government passed the Indian Act, which sought to restrict the rights of indigenous people and control their land, resources, and lives. It was a racist attempt to assimilate First Nations people into mainstream Canadian society and erase indigenous identity.
4. Japanese Internment – During World War II, the US government forcibly removed 120,000 Japanese Americans from their homes on the West Coast and sent them to internment camps. This was a clear example of racism, as the government targeted a group of people based solely on their ethnicity.
5. Jim Crow Laws – These laws were a series of discriminatory state and local statutes that were in place in the southern US from the late 19th century until 1965. They segregated African Americans from the white population in housing, education, employment, transportation, and even the criminal justice system.