by Elisabeth Mcgrath

Created on: July 04, 2009   Last Updated: May 17, 2010

The new millennium has seen a growing awareness of cultural diversity, gender differences, religious divisions and geographic consciousness. When we add the imposed limitations of politically correct language into these considerations, we see a rise in individual and collective expressions of trepidation and fear.

A Society Moving Along Racial Lines

Social aspects of everyday life can be governed by politics, the media and historical events. Legislation aimed at limiting immigration from certain regions speaks the language of racist policies. Media emphasis on the ethnic or religious backgrounds of figures of notoriety, aid and apparently legitimize generalizations. The ongoing liberalization of European countries has revived buried sentiments of resentment, xenophobia and nationalism.

Confronting Judgmental Racism

Where a racist reference is made inferring a judgmental conclusion against a particular person there is a certain finality about a speaker's statement which cannot be countered with logic. The speaker obviously rationalizes that geography, ethnicity or culture accounts for the subject's attitude or behavior. Judgments based on this premise can be challenged with examples of people of the same background who do not behave in the same manner.

Talking with a Supremacist

The categorizing of traits such as intelligence and superiority under the umbrella of a particular race or color is the foundation of those who suffer from superiority complexes. The onus of proof based on science, statistics and history rests with the supremacist. It does not require in-depth questioning to reveal that this argument is not sustainable and any discussion would quickly reveal holes and gaps in this type of logic.

Combating Derogative Racist Language

Where comments insinuate that a person or group of people are inferior because their home country is not their birth country, it may be timely to remind the speaker of the history of the subject country. Few nations or lands exist without a history of previous civilizations or invasion. If time-travel could transpose critics to another time in their place of citizenship, ask how their arguments would fare? 

One Bad Apple

High-profile crimes that generate worldwide interest attract an element of collective racism. If the name or appearance of an accused person gives an indication of race, ethnicity or religion, it may be necessary to deflect remarks that paint a whole nation or culture with the same brush as the criminal. Just as bad publicity against a professional figure (be it a politician, doctor, lawyer, or whatever) generates labeling of the whole profession, the racist tag is also tied around a whole nationality and needs urgent removal.

With increasing incidents of violence based on racial hatred, it is important for individuals to stem this tide of physical bigotry. Vigilantism and revenge attacks are not the answer. The words spoken across a coffee table, in a locker room or printed on a screen can be a more conciliatory and gentler form of persuasion.

Learn more about this author, Elisabeth Mcgrath.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.