Meaning of Racism Along with Its Forms and How to Overcome It

Kapanlagi.com - According to the Great Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), the meaning of rasis is something related to racism or racialism. Racialism itself is defined as prejudice based on ethnic descent; biased treatment towards different races.

In addition, the meaning of rasis also refers to the belief that one's own race is superior. Such a belief can certainly lead to injustice for the many nations that exist.

Even within one country, Indonesia, there are numerous ethnic groups that must respect each other. Therefore, you also need to understand the meaning of rasis and avoid such discriminatory attitudes. You can understand it in the following information.

1. Meaning of Racism According to Experts

Illustration (Credit: Unsplash)

Based on the opinions of experts, you can understand the meaning of racism through the following information.

1. Pramoedya Ananta Toer

In the book "Hoakiau di Indonesia", Pramoedya Ananta Toer defines racism or racialism as an ideology that rejects a group of people based on their race.

Racialism arises or can arise when the majority society discriminates against minorities who have biological differences from the majority population, and it arises or can arise because a small group or minority is unable to defend themselves.

2. Daldjoeni

Daldjoeni argues that racism is an idea or theory that states that the causal relationship between physical characteristics is inherited and certain characteristics in terms of personality, intellect, culture, or a combination of all these, create superiority of a certain race over others.

3. Alo Liliweri

According to Prof. Dr. Alo Liliweri, M.S in the book "Prejudice and Conflict", racism is an ideology that is based on the idea that humans can be divided into racial groups; that these groups can be arranged based on degrees or hierarchies according to intelligence or abilities, skills, and even morality.

4. Oliver C. Cox

According to Oliver C. Cox, racism is an event, a situation that evaluates various actions and values within a group based on their cultural perspective that views all social values of other societies outside themselves as wrong and unacceptable.

2. Forms of Racist Attitudes

Illustration (Credit: Unsplash)

In addition to understanding the meaning of racism, you also need to understand it further by recognizing the forms of racist attitudes that can even occur around you. Knowing this can be a way for you to start realizing every action taken.

1. Racial Prejudice

Prejudice is a negative assumption about something that is not yet known. Usually, prejudice is an opinion based solely on emotions and without clear reasons. This can also be experienced by someone of a certain race through the antipathy views or attitudes of others.

2. Racial Stereotype

This racist attitude can be seen in actions that generalize negative traits to a particular ethnic or racial group. This arises from someone's perspective on the differences between various groups.

3. Racial Discrimination

Discrimination is a behavior that deliberately distinguishes one person from another. Racial discrimination is experienced by victims solely because of their skin color, ethnic background, social class, religion, or certain social groups.

4. Racial Violence

Racial violence is an attitude that involves threats or intimidation towards someone based on racial prejudice. This intimidation can be psychological or physical and is deliberately directed towards a specific racial group.

3. How to Deal with Racist Attitudes

Illustration (Credit: Unsplash)

Racist attitudes should indeed be fought against. This requires commitment from everyone to consistently do so. Here are several ways to address racist attitudes that you may have done before.

1. Understanding the meaning of racism

You can learn about the explanation of racism that has been mentioned above and it would be better to continuously expand your knowledge.

2. Understanding social disparities

After understanding the meaning of racism, you may imagine the consequences that arise, namely the existence of disparities and inequalities in personal and public life. With that, you will realize the need to avoid unfair and racist attitudes in everyday life.

3. Stop saying "I am not racist"

There is no need to deny reality by continuously saying that sentence. Because everyone has the potential to engage in racist behavior.

4. Opposing the idea of racism

Everyone needs to be committed to opposing the idea of racism in every aspect. Whether it's beliefs, perspectives, or political support based on racial inequality.

5. Supporting anti-racism and educating others

If you understand this, it would be better to start educating others. This movement needs to be continuous in order to shape fair perspectives, at least for the people around you.

That's an explanation of the meaning of racism and the forms of behavior that need to be avoided, as well as the actions to combat racism.

(kpl/gen/ans)