Race and Racism 2

In my "American Dream[sic]" class today we demonstrated classic American secularism. We shunned all other nations and the racial boundaries they have created. If this class were to develop a greater understanding of other peoples’ cultures, we would at least gain a sense of perspective with our own supposed racial boundaries. On the class message board I posted an example of Sunni and Shi’a Muslims at war in the Middle East over different interpretations of the Kuran, and how their prejudice towards each other has led to plotted suicide bombings and continued murder, etc. Imagine for one second, our prejudices in comparison to theirs – we may as well have none. Nevertheless, it would have been wrong of me to suggest that racism in America does not exist. Obviously, racism does not “help” anyone (as the professor was quick to sarcasticly point out in class) yet it exists for a number of reasons, one being, that it lends people a vehicle to carry their prejudices. Secondly, religious prejudice causes friction between cultures, as I have highlighted above (post-colonial thinking illuminates the progress that has been made in Western society). Moreover, cultures clash due to differences in commonly held beliefs and values. These factors dictate our racial prejudice, and they will go on dictating our racial prejudice no matter how dignified we are in suppressing our views.

Let's see what they make of that. Updates on the way.