Racism a Clandestine Act ( Special Reference to USA)

This article is written by Aryan Pujari, a first year student of Amity Law School, Raipur, Chattisgarh.

“Our complaint is mainly against a discrimination based mainly
on color of skin, and it is that that we denounce
as not only indefensible but barbaric.”
-W.E.B. DU BOIS, (1947)

“Racism” the worst face of exploitation-

The dogmatic society carries within numbers of evils, one of such and most opinionated Is “Racism”. The question arise what is Racism? Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioural traits corresponding to physical appearance and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another.[1]It is not be confused with “Racialism” which is a positive concept denoting that “Human species is naturally divided into races as per there distinctive physical characteristics”. A lot of times this sub-culture ended up taking lives of innocents.

Events that cradled Racism-

When we trace back to the days of birth of racism, there was a multi-conceptual confusion in the minds of people, but the one aspect based on which a line of difference can be drawn “Biology”. Racism derives its origin from the word “Race” which is used in terms of physical diversities among plants, animals etc. The ideology of Racism is modern and have its own derivatives such as-

These are mere derivatives of the menace ideology.

Phases of “Racism” (European)-

With the end of World War 2 racialism was conceived with in the minds as a result of custom and believe. In 1950s and 1960s racism was running in the veins of people and government as a fight against which Civil Rights movements took birth. After the abolition of Civil War poverty was gone but the prejudice and violence endured by the blacks touched the limits. “JIM CROW” law was culminating racial segregation in those times. It upheld the doctrine of “Separate but equal” it extended its arms to every public service such as different coaches in local trains and buses. This law boosted number of disadvantages for the coloured(blacks) education, health and economy were among the prior.

Next phase of racism got a way in 1980s and 1990s when it got a covert form due to the existence of laws and the victorious revolt of blacks. It was clear that the attitude of racism got a dormant position but wasn’t still uprooted from hearts of people.

Because, in the popular mind, “race” is linked to physical differences among peoples, and such features as dark skin colour have been seen as markers of low status, some experts believe that racism may be difficult to eradicate. Indeed, minds cannot be changed by laws, but beliefs about human differences can and do change, as do all cultural elements.[2]

Racism and Human Rights-
As declared by Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice Adopted and proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization at its twentieth session, on 27 November 1978-
Article 2-

Any theory which involves the claim that racial or ethnic groups are inherently superior or inferior, thus implying that some would be entitled to dominate or eliminate others, presumed to be inferior, or which bases value judgments on racial differentiation, has no scientific foundation and is contrary to the moral and ethical principles of humanity.
Racism includes racist ideologies, prejudiced attitudes, discriminatory behaviour, structural arrangements and institutionalized practices resulting in racial inequality as well as the fallacious notion that discriminatory relations between groups are morally and scientifically justifiable; it is reflected in discriminatory provisions in legislation or regulations and discriminatory practices as well as in anti-social beliefs and acts; it hinders the development of its victims, perverts those who practise it, divides nations internally, impedes international co-operation and gives rise to political tensions between peoples; it is contrary to the fundamental principles of international law and, consequently, seriously disturbs international peace and security.

Article 6-

The State has prime responsibility for ensuring human rights and fundamental freedoms on an entirely equal footing in dignity and rights for all individuals and all groups.[3]

The above cited articles clearly state the definition as well as imply a duty on the state to maintain the human rights of people of all races on the parameter of dignity and rights. This was a prominent and efficient step taken by the UNSC when racism was at its peak.

“Racism” fact and figure-

Racism a Clandestine Act ( Special Reference to USA)

Related

Subscribe For Latest Updates