It amazes me that racism still exists. People still treat someone differently because of the colour of their skin. The values lecture we had about racism was shocking and unsettling.
I think it’s so important that we remember the past to ensure we don’t repeat our mistakes but that also brings around the argument that we go around in circle and are fated to make the same mistakes. We need to be aware of what’s going on around us and stand up if we witness injustice happening. If we stay silent and continue to let it happen then we will make the same mistakes. I find it difficult as someone who is middle classed and white to fully understand the extent to which racism exists. That doesn’t mean that I can sit and watch it happen it’s all about action. It’s amazing how Widley accepted racism was, a campaign slogan used by the conservative party in 1964, and used by the MP Peter Griffiths, using racist language was allowed. If we look at America and back to the time when segregation was happening. Whites and blacks were given ‘equal’ rights but didn’t mix. The case of Emmett Till, an African American teenager who lived in Chicago. He went to visit family in Mississippi in 1955. He went to the shops where the shop worker accused him or whistling at her and touching her hand. That night the woman’s husband and brother grabbed Emmett out his home where they beat, mutilated and shot him before dumping him in the river. The two men got away with the murder, and we also found out that the woman in the shop had lied and Emmett did not whistle at her or touch her hand. Emmett Till became a huge part of the American civil rights movement and he is still remembered today. What I find shocking is that this only happened 73 years ago, that is no time at all. We have to continue to remember people like Emmett Till and stop racism.
Our lecture was not just about racism either, we touched on homophobia and islamophobia. We touched on all form of inequality and injustice. What was interesting was when we discussed the way homosexual people were portrayed on television in the 70’s and 80’s, this can give us some background and understanding on other views. Even some of the language used in these programmes are now things that are completely unacceptable. Language is something that is constantly changing an updating, so we need to keep up to ensure we don’t let outdated words slip through the net and become the accepted norm. With things like gay pride and the LGBTQ+ community we are slowly fighting the homophobes, but the hatred still exists. We need to continue to work against people who promote outdated and hurtful views.
Islamophobia is something that has become more and more evident in the last 20 years. A hatred towards Islam and Muslims. Some people hold the belief that Muslims are funding terrorism and are also behind all terrorist activity. This belief causes a whole population to be tarred with the same brush, which is completely unacceptable. This belief from people also brought about the idea that Muslim ladies should not be allowed to wear a hijab or a burka and in turn anyone wearing these would be branded as a terrorist. Some European countries have brought about laws forbidding women to wear scarves that cover the face. This belief is baffling because the people that hold these views don’t think that nuns shouldn’t wear their robes or habit and if they did they wouldn’t be called terrorists.
People have become a lot braver about what they say and are happy to express their view over social media, things that they would never say in person. Social media allows people to have an outlet with little to no consequences. When we see racism, sexism and homophobia on social media we laugh it off, it’s a joke it’s not hurting anyone. Except it is. There are real people behind these profiles and they comments people make on twitter, Facebook and Instagram need to be properly recognised for what they are and removed. The people who make these comments need to be punished for their actions online, the same as they would if they made the comments openly in public.
We all need to be more aware of what is going on, stand up if we see something we disagree with happening. Racism, homophobia, islamophobia and many others have no place in this world, all they do is promote fear and hatred. They do not benefit us and should not be allowed to continue.
