by Eugene G.

Created on: October 14, 2008

According to Webster's dictionary, racism is defined as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race."

The foundation of racism begins at a very early age. Racial prejudice and discrimination has polluted the very fabric of society. The idea that some individuals believe one race is superior over another still exists today. Unfortunately, racism continues to survive because of the negative behaviors, beliefs and attitudes that are passed down from one generation to another.

Racism is both taught and learned to some degree. However, the key to whether racism is taught or learned is dependent upon the type of exposure a child has to the negativity that symbolizes hate. Children are typically raised based on how their parents were brought up. Racist beliefs and attitudes are "passed down" from generation to generation. This may be due to a past negative experience, or personal dislike for a different nationality, which has helped to form a sense of hatred for a particular group. If a child's parents and grandparents act or speak negatively in reference to certain ethnic groups, that child will begin to develop the same behavioral pattern. Although young, children learn quickly and will model their behavior based on what they see and hear. Children are exposed to negativity that is repetitive, which allows them to hear racial slurs and wrongful comments over and over again.

Over time, they will begin to utter the same racial slurs and develop an attitude of superiority - believing another race is stupid or inferior to them based on what their parental figures say in the home. They see pictures in the paper, or on the television, of the men, women, boys and girls who look different than them. That's when mommy or daddy says the "bad" words, which to a child is ok because they hear it at home. They don't know any better and it becomes ingrained into their thought process until one day the slurs begin to come out of their own mouths as easily as momma and dada.

Therefore, children learn racism from what they intentionally (or unintentionally) see and hear.

In certain situations, children grow up in an environment that breeds fear and tension. An entire community where a family lives may share similar racist views, which only makes matters worse. Parents may be afraid because if they don't "blend in" (or their child begins to associate with someone of a different

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