Blog #12. Racism

Racism is perhaps the most shameful and destructive aspect of human history.  Not a recent phenomenon, racism; the belief that one particular group of people is superior to another,has existed for thousands of years.  Mankind has been unable to embrace and celebrate the uniqueness of the various ethnic groups. Instead, fear has taken control. Xenophobia, defined as an intense fear and dislike of foreign people, or simply racial intolerance, is a disease reaching epidemic proportions. Traditionally, ethno-national conflicts had to do with struggles over resources and land possession. Often these conflicts were tied to religious intolerance. Racism world-wide is manifested in every continent. In Europe, extreme racist groups have gained more and more acceptability in countries like France, Germany, and Austria. In Australia, the Aborigines have lost much of their land and have been the victim of extreme prejudice. Not only has Apartheid been practiced in Australia, it has been a well-publicized condition in South Africa. Many African countries have endured long-term civil wars, some beginning shortly after that nation’s freedom from former colonial countries. In Asia, Cambodians harbor extreme prejudices against the Vietnamese, and Chinese students have been forbidden access to higher education in Malaysia. In the Middle East, antagonism between the Israelis and the Palestinians continues to exist. Racism exists today and in its worst ways. It has changed many relationships with different countries.