by Costas Chryanthou

Created on: August 03, 2008   Last Updated: April 10, 2009

Racism most definitely is learned through family, groups of friends, social contacts. I would go as far as to say that it is not learned through this way as people need to be taught or explained ideas of hatred, social bullying and much more.

Racism is part and parcel of ideas, beliefs, opinions and ways of life that is taught throughout the hierarchical approach and lessons taught by society.

In identifying the root causes of racism start with the old fashioned criminal activity of taunting ethnic minority groups, having nothing to do with them on a business, social, or any kind of friendship basis is in itself racism. The excuse that some groups of people make out that their best friend is from an ethnic minority group to me does not wash right with me personally.

Parents teach their children values, beliefs and teach them who to speak to, what to say to people and how to react to difficult situations. So in this instance the perpetrator of the racist beliefs stem from parents, grandparents, friends and family of young white adults who are taught and forced to accept these ill and most cruel ideological crude beliefs.

Racism is not an subject area that can be learned in the classroom and from passers by. Being taught something such as having racist ideas and beliefs is taught from superior level of person who expects the slightly subordinate individual in adopting a similar approach. In a social setting a known racist will often teach her girl friend to do as I do, talk the way I talk and walk the walk.

Whilst racism is a most disturbing and common influence embedded into society it should have absolutely no place. Take for example the hierarchical levels of society these beliefs largely started before the world wars and in the forced slavery situation that occurred in Africa, it was this aspect that taught people especially in higher levels of society the way the world system operates. In some respects the problem, reaction, solution takes its place these days. Speak against society in public and the reaction and solution are being stopped by a policeman who tries to find out what the problem is and in taking action. The problem starts from rules taught from above.

In Europe certain EU nations themselves are part of this EU club under the belief that they will prosper. What happens in practice is that people migrate from poorer EU nations and move to perceived wealthier states to find work. The hatred that is embedded by white anglo saxon groups of people with racist ideas is that these are similar threats posed as the African slavery ring many decades ago. It tends to be a growing problem when economic conditions go from bad to worse and the illegal immigrants, and ethnic minorities are singled out as the problem?

Learn more about this author, Costas Chryanthou.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.