Photo by James Eades

One of the main reasons why racism is a problem is because it has detrimental effects on a person’s psychological, social, educational, and financial well-being throughout their life, and it also exacerbates mental health issues in the community.

Systematic presumptions that some groups are better than others due to cultural differences in norms, attitudes, and behaviors are referred to as racism. The horror and realities of racism have many individuals suffering, which is a phenomenon that we should stop. The citizens hold the political power to truly change the world, after all.

Poetry also has a wonderful role regarding racism, which the author Christina Trezevant McGriff channels her inner poet out in her poem book “Simultaneously.” But for today, we’ll be talking more about racism and why it’s truly a huge issue.

Racism Is an Actual Public Health Issue

People’s capacity to reach their optimal state of health is hampered by racism. Racial discrimination is a major contributor to health disparities, which goes against the fundamental goal of public health practitioners. Doctors, therapists, and other health practitioners all aim to create environments that allow everyone to reach optimal health.

Though awareness is expanding, the effects of prejudice on public health have not always been fully recognized or understood. “An immediate threat to the safety of the public, an obstacle to the realization of equal access to healthcare, and a barrier to excellence within the provision of medical care” is how the American Medical Association recently defined racism.

Racism Is Bad for Any Business

The impact that systemic prejudice has on society is enormous, as recent events have demonstrated.

Perhaps making headlines right now are international protests, monument removals, and much-needed policy changes. But in order to truly bring about change, we must pay closer attention to ordinary situations, which includes what goes on in the workplace and in business.

Although the advantages of diversity have long been understood, businesses can no longer ignore the difficult task of creating and preserving an explicitly anti-racist workplace culture.

Racism is bad for businesses because it stifles creativity, creates a toxic work culture, increases absenteeism, leads to bad PR, and other businesses don’t want to partner with racist companies.

This is one of the biggest reasons why racism is a problem. With a push from regular folks and workers, businesses can further see that citizens hold the political power in this matter.

image of protesters banding together to display the real deal with racism on full view
Photo by Clay Banks

Why Are Some Individuals Still Racist?

It’s quite easy in certain aspects. Individuals pick up the traits and values from their society and culture. We frequently believe that parents must intentionally train their children to be racist. In actuality, children will be racists unless parents deliberately teach them not to be.

Racism is not the result of some nurtured, nasty, deep-seated heart. It originates from our surroundings, the air that surrounds us.

To give you an idea of how ubiquitous and subtle our surroundings can be, a study conducted at Tufts University discovered that viewers’ implicit bias tests increased even when a TV show on mute showed scenes devoid of overt discrimination because of the nonverbal gestures of black and white performers interacting.

When Does Racism Result in Violence and End in Tragedy?

Exposure to a particular ideology is the most probable predictor of that. Most people, if not all of us, have unconscious biases and prejudices that go unchecked. Some people may even be hiding feelings of dread or hatred from others.

However, when individuals come across a structured ideology that elevates or glorifies an interpersonal dispute, such as a racial conflict, it builds upon people’s common prejudices to create something even more violent. The primary message that these extremist views are trying to tell people—especially the underprivileged—is that, in reality, white people are the ones who face discrimination in society.

This way of thought has frequently resulted in bloodshed, as evidenced by Charlottesville. Dylann Roof, the gunman who opened fire on nine individuals inside a revered African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, rationalized his actions with a divisive diatribe in his notebook, stating that he desired to “take action for my race.”

image of a placard being raised up saying “end racism now” to portray the real deal with racism
Photo by Duncan Shaffer

Now That We Know Why Racism Is a Problem Let’s Fix It

Culture must shift if bias is to be eliminated. We need to alter the accepted social norms. Though politically correct society is often criticized, it actually serves as a check on people’s attitudes outside of themselves, which in turn affects our interior thoughts about ourselves.

If you’re looking for poetic inspirations to help fix racism, then click here to visit Christina Trezevant McGriff’s website and buy a copy of her poem book “Simultaneously” today. You can read more about racism from us by reading one of our articles titled “How to Be a Good Ally Against Racism.”