why do people believe in racism rather then believing in one world and live and let live?
356684
Plain and simple: people are selfish.\n\nPeople believe their way of life is superior than other ways of life.\nTherefore, if your race, religion, class, or culture is different from mine it is inferior.\nAs long as we live in a world where there are differences, there will always be prejudices, discrimination, hatred, and ethnocentrism.
882767
I don't think you can avoid racism because racism is a symptom of humanity.  We are always trying to figure out how to make ourselves better in our own minds and racism is an easy out.  I do however think that the only cure for it is the browning of the world.  I think as our races and cultures continue to mix these feeling will start to go away.  We have made tremendous progress over where we were 30 years ago, that is for sure.  It is hard for us to even conceive of a society where blacks ride at the back of the bus or drink from a different fountain.  \n\nRacism goes different directions and as a white man I have been the victim of the same by black people. It always hurts.  I live in the South now where it is visible.  In a sense it is almost better because you know where it is and you can avoid it.  There will always be nasty people in the world and it is up to people like us to look beyond them and find the commonality that we share.  Skin color really means nothing, it is what is in our hearts and minds that matters.
291054
Good question. I don't think we'll ever get a satisfying answer. Seriously, racism is all around. I don't understand it, my father taught me that regardless of someones skin color or nationality...we are all creatures of the same inside and that one mans heart doesn't beat any differently than another. I was taught that if I see this hate, I should stand up for what I believe in and that is the equality of all. It's all about the teaching from one generation to the next. We need to stop the hate and learn to channel it towards something positive, like educating our children so they may be the change of the world.
216614
A part of the reason is that American society still has racist messages and ideas floating around in it and showing up in the media (TV, magazines, the internet, etc).  Some of these things people don't even realize are racist.  Some members of racial/ethnic minority groups (African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans) internalize these racist ideas and use them against members of their own race or ethnicity who they believe are not "American" enough or not "ethnic" enough.  \n\nTo put it in simple terms, people start to believe racist messages from the media and from other people.  Sometimes without realizing it, people increase racism by being racist against others of their own race because of their ideas about what a "true American" should be like or what a "true African American (etc.)" should be like.
360642
Yes, but it isn't going to happen in our life time. Racism is perpetuated by the minority's as much as the bigots. As soon as they learn to let go of the past and stop making everything a race issue things will start to change.\nI will admit that I am prejudice. I am prejudice against lazy, ignorant people who think they are owed something. I don't care what color they are!\nIn my opinion there is only one race. The human race. It is time to stop perpetuating the ignorant old ways of our ancestors and get down to making a better world for everyone. Who's with me?
99657
I think a lot of it has to do with the media and possibly bad publicity. I'm not saying it is just that, but this is probably one of the major reasons amongst many.\nMany people are arrogant and care not to explore into the reasons behind their stubborness. Racism occurs for many a reasons and you also have to take into consideration that it's not just the USA that is racist, but the whole world contributes to racism, not only to the Islamic community, but towards all.\nThe world would be such a great place if there was no racism at all.
1006093
Many people fear the unknown (races different from their own), they don't recognize the fact that our bodies are just the shells of our beings and certainly don't define who we are inside, they're ignorant, small-minded, prejudiced, or racist.  \n\nOne thing that has always bugged me is when an ignoramous will defend racism by giving this example, "Look at the animal world -- dogs don't mate with cats.  They stick to their own kind."  But black dogs mate with white dogs or with dogs that look a LOT different from themselves.  As humans, we ARE sticking to our own kind -- our own kind just happens to be composed of all colors and looks (just like dogs).
156074
It exist because not all of us get to live in a metropolitan city like New York or San Francisco.  Those cities include many different people from around the world and you become accustomed to different people.  You learn about them and respect each other more.\n\nBigotry and prejudice is always drummed by racist people when the economy is not doing well.  Blame the foreigners is the theme of racist during slow economic times.
1118174
The whole world needs to lighten up & stop taking life so seriously, racism isn't in & word or a phrase, it's in the meaning, & if someone is being racist then turn around & ignore them. Like all bullying they can't continue if they have nothing to push against. Maybe if we all lessened our egos a little it would help, cause noone is perfect not even ourselves.
450696
Oppression of one particular group due to their ethnicity has never proven to be "good" for any society. It is natural to fear the unknown as well as what is different.  Fear in itself is not a bad thing, however it seems many of us try to comfort ourselves and justify our own uniqueness through the belief that our race is superior.  It is much easier to have this belief than to make the mental effort to understand the differences and accept that other cultural values and religions hold the same level of importance to them as yours does to you. Racism is therefore a "lazy" cop out.\n\nThis attitude has been passed down from generation to generation, it has also been fueled by politicians and the media for financial gain. Additionally, many companies profit from racism and subtly promote it in their advertising. Racism might be significantly reduced through aggressive education about and early exposure to the many beautiful and diverse cultures that exist in this world.
625523
There is one thing I believe. Whether you look down your nose at a different race or you over-act, they are both forms of racism. A person is not a racist when he/she acts totally normal around all sorts of people. If you force yourself to be down, you are bordering on racism because you might make people feel uncomfortable and that's what racism is.
990604
I am Black and I know some of my fellow people do that. I personally think its silly I know there is racism in the world but you have to work ur hardest to make the best for you. But I don't think its only Black people I am sure other races feel the same way. A lot of people are prejudice against all types of people Its not just a Black thing anymore... have you seen the movie Crash?
1047001
Why  do  the white people think their are better then others,we are all the same humans,just a different color,their is bad people and good people in all races,but when it comes to being racist I see it more in white people.what's up with that?
313576
no matta how far we have advanced as a people racism still exists. Our forefathers have cushioned it for us a little  though and we have it a few ways better than our grandfather or grandmother or even our ancestors have had it. but it still exisits. racism now has taken on a few new forms though. experts have argued orgin of where racism began. Some say it was taught through parents. others would say racism is learned. but where ever racism has come from it still exisits. People just hate each other for a reason or we sterotype each other and judge each other and make assumptions that keep us from trusting or talking to differnet race. My father argues its only white and black in the world no asian no japenses no irish no french no nothing it is just black and white. I believe different. I have nothing against no one or no race if i dislike a person it is because i cant stand them not b/c of how they look
723038
it is a sad, mixed up world and always has been and probably will be for some time. If you notice, those that are racists, or anything else that is negative have a problem with themselves. They are unhappy about something in their life and that is another whole story.  However, those that are easily acceptable to  others, have finally figured out the "Big Picture"
506286
People can be brainwashed to become racist.  Their ignorance clouds their thoughts and they take it out on other groups. Some people use sterotypes to generalize about other races.  It is a shame.  \n\nAmerica is a melting pot and sometimes conflicts between groups arise.
735767
It's not necessarily my personal case, because I think there's nothing more interesting than diversity in the world and I'm happily married to a man that couldn't be from a more different culture and background than mine.\nBut when I think why most of the human race can't stand each other, I come to the conclusion that even when we have intelligent brains that separate us from the monkeys, as primitive as it might sound, we're still animals after all, it's in our DNA, our genes, that's the way nature is. \nI don't deny that in most cases people can't stand each other just because they're ignorant or full of hatred, but we also have to consider the nature factor as well, many people feel more comfortable with familiar things to them, what they're used to or the way and the place they grew up, the same race, same religion, same culture etc...without having anything to do with racism or hatred they just don't accept change or anyhting different from them, their believes or lives so easily.\nI don't think human race will ever be completely united, number one, becuase there is too much ignorance and intolerance out there and it's only getting worse by the hour, and number two, just for the simple fact that people are too different, you can have a simple example from all kinds of animals in nature out there, even when they belong to the same family, different species simply can't live with each other, you will never get a gorilla to live with a orangutan or a lion to live with a cheetah. \nSadly in some cases and hopelessly in others, some people are still too attached to their animal instincts, it's not the way it should be, but unfortunately, it's just the way it is for millions of people.