The Effects Of Racism

“Oh, God, look, there is a pubic hair in my brush. Oh, no wait, wait, that’s just one of Rochelle’s little nappy hairs,” said Laura. When Rochelle asks Laura why she relentlessly teases her, Laura responds, “Because I don’t like Negroids. Sorry.” This is one of the scenes in the hit 1996 film “The Craft” which has a storyline in which a white character named Laura racially harasses an African American classmate named Rochelle. In the old times, racism is very prevalent. But it is very alarming that even in this modern era, racial discrimination or racist bullying still persists. It is no laughing matter. Racism has enormous effects to individuals such as depression and anxiety, decline in achievement and opportunity in life and worst,

The physical, verbal and emotional bullying, insulting or degrading comments, name calling, gestures, taunts and insults or 'jokes', these stressors trigger depression and anxiety. A Cornell News Service study in 2009 did a study on the effects of racism saying that racial discrimination erodes mental health. Moreover, dealing with this alone and having no one to tell about this would turn one’s thinking that he is hopeless. He would think that nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing he can do to improve his situation. With this kind of thinking, it raises the risk of many emotional and mental problems such as stress, depression, inferiority and anxiety. According to the study published online in APA’s Journal of Counseling Psychology, “The relationship between perceived racism and self-reported depression and anxiety is quite robust, providing a reminder that experiences of racism may play an important role in the health disparities phenomenon. For example, African-Americans have higher rates of hypertension, a serious condition that has been associated with stress and

It causes mental health to erode such as depression and anxiety. Living as subject of discrimination prevents people from having equal opportunities to better their lives and is the primary reason for higher levels of unemployment and underemployment. Worst case, it causes death and suicidal among the victims due to stress and pressure. Racism happens daily and affects so many people. How can one live with oneself for causing someone so much trouble? How can one live a normal life and think everything is fine? Racism is causing death and too much pain. It must be stopped once and for all. After all, as said by Gandhi, “Be the change in the world you want to see.” Embrace diversity.it is needed to prepare youth and people of all ages to function and succeed in a diverse society and world, and to value not only their own cultures, but those of others. Remember, each and every one is unique and different and this is what makes one