Solution
to the problem of racism
The after effects of the racial discrimination
incident on campus felt like a slap on the
face for everyone, a slap that has raised
doubts about the place of racism in modern
society. For us — the general public — there
is no reason to feel angry against the person
who committed the crime, anger will lead
to hatred and hatred is the essence of racism.
In order for us to defeat racism, we need
to do nothing but defend our cause, which
is equality within humanity. And, we will
accomplish our goal by further contemplating
on the nature of racism, so that we will
understand why it is a wrong stance.
Of all the modern theories aimed at dividing
one portion of humanity from another, racism
is the most immoral and the least factual
one. To promote racism is to assert that
humankind is divided into biologically distinct
groups. In this sense, not only are human
groups different from one another but some
are better, stronger, higher or more creative
than others..
The so-called higher race, it is claimed,
has a moral obligation to dominate, enslave
and even exterminate the lower races. The
doctrine of racism subversively encourages
the survival and progression of one racial
group by oppressing the survival and progression
of another one.
The truth, as pointed out by the scientific
evidence, is that there are no, and have
never been, pure human races. Because of
constant intermarriage, a diffusion of traits
has occurred throughout our species
In any case, today’s environment places
a high value on intelligence and, unlike
what racism asserts, there are no group
differences in intelligence. It is absurd,
after all, to think that one group of people
is physically or mentally better.
In this sense, arguing with a racist would
be like arguing with a dogmatist who claims
the earth to be flat. The person in either
case knows the truth but chooses not to
acknowledge it. It is clear, therefore,
that racism is not a choice; it is rather
a passion, one that is destructive and utterly
decadent.
As Sartre would say, the person who chooses
to be racist loves the objects of passion
and the hatred for other races is the object
of his passion. The person’s attitude toward
other races is an emotional state, in which
he loves to hate.
The tenets of racism, at the end, lead to
moral conclusions that contradict what the
people of this nation ultimately stand for.
Democracy. Democracy is the concept of an
ideal government of the people, by the people
and for the people, where there are no hereditary
class distinctions and where everybody is
fundamentally equal. And, the essence of
democracy is humanism - the ultimate moral
stance that is the cure to racism.
Since ethical systems have developed based
upon free expression, every rational person
needs to choose in the name of freedom.
Only then would the person be living an
ideal life grounded on reason and on moral
values. However, because the racist person
lies to himself, he does not choose in the
name of freedom. He denies his freewill,
since he denies other’s freedom.
The truth is simple: The best way to achieve
freedom is humanism, which nourishes such
positive concepts as democracy, equality,
cultural relativism, ethical life and so
on. Therefore, more than merely being a
cure to racism, humanism is the answer to
the struggle for permanent world peace,
where the word freedom signifies the very
meaning of human life.
Barlas Esin in a journalism major and philosophy
minor at Cal State Long Beach. He can be
contacted at besin@csulb.edu.
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