Why racism is bad

We need to be vigilant in making sure that these kinds of things are never allowed to happen again. There are no reasons or excuses for racism. It's just wrong. And in many cases, racism is against the law. For more information, see the "What does the law say" factsheet. As you have seen in several studies that I mentioned, racism can occur regardless of age, education, or income level. Racism is equal opportunity. When experts talk about disparities in health care in our society , they are talking about differences for people based typically on income and race.

Black people tend to be overrepresented among the poor, so race and income are often intertwined, but racism is not exclusive to poor Black people.

Middle-income Black folks also endure hardships of racism. Though many thrive in the United States, it also provides a toxic climate for Black people. A large study of Black Caribbean immigrants found that the longer that they were in the United States, the more likely that they were to experience depression and poor overall health.

This says something pretty damning about the society in which we live. At the root of racism and racial disparities is the belief that Black people are not fully human and do not deserve access to the same rights as others. Those who hold racist beliefs tend to deny racism. For some, this racism is intentional.

For many, it is not intentional, as they are unaware of the ways in which negative stereotypes influence how they interact with Black people or stand by as Black people are being mistreated by others. Privileged children learn over time that only their perspective matters; they learn this in the same way that I was taught to work twice as hard.

Think about defense mechanisms as strong but invisible walls in the mind that protect us from uncomfortable, overwhelming, and perhaps threatening feelings. Those walls or defense mechanisms keep information, facts, and events from our active awareness because if we were aware of the information, we would sink into a very dark place.

For example, if you have experienced a traumatic event, you may not remember the details because your mind shielded you from them. CNN and Sesame Street team up for a townhall on racism. How to protect yourself and your children. What you need to know to keep your loved ones safe. Being silent cannot be an option. Here are some age-appropriate ways to start that conversation and explain that racism is always wrong: Under 5 years At this age, children may begin to notice and point out differences in people they see around them.

Use fairness — Children, especially those around 5, tend to understand the concept of fairness quite well. Be curious — Listening and asking questions is the first step.

Show interest in what they are reading and the conversations they are having online. Talk openly — Having honest and open discussions about racism, diversity and inclusivity builds trust with your children. It encourages them to come to you with questions and worries. If they see you as a trusted source of advice, they are likely to engage with you on this topic more.

Know what they know — Find out what your children know about racism and discrimination. What have they heard on the news, at school, from friends?

Ask questions — Find opportunities such as events in the news for conversations with your children about racism. Ask what they think and introduce them to different perspectives to help expand their understanding. Encourage action — Being active on social media is important for many teenagers. Some may have begun to think about participating in online activism. Encourage them to do so as an active way to respond and engage with racial issues. Celebrate diversity Try to find ways to introduce your child to diverse cultures and people from different races and ethnicities.