Black in the 21 Century - African American Awareness (Paperback)

Black in the 21 Century: African American Awareness Nobody is born with the inherent hate or prejudice against racial background and color. Everybody is born equally bare and innocent. A human being is like a blank piece of paper - free from bias and presumptions. This leads to the conclusion that children only get to learn the concept of prejudice from the most influential stimuli - their parents and their peers. Nobody is born with racism. Racism is something that is acquired or learned. But sad to say, it is something that is difficult to learn. Even the most liberal and most progressive nations in the world are having a hard time unlearning racism. What keeps everyone from unlearning racism? Mainly, fear and ignorance keep people from breaking free from the vicious cycle. Racism and discrimination, through the centuries have already become a deeply embedded part of people's daily dealings. Through another lens, we tend to fear what we do not know. Fear of another culture, language, practice, or appearance can be manifested negatively through prejudice and discrimination. Another thing that keeps people from unlearning racism and discrimination is the irrational satisfaction that can be derived from bullying. When people do not feel particularly okay about themselves, they tend to divert their frustrations to other people. On top of this, people look for affirmation from peers. Usually, any group will do everything to display their supremacy over others groups and the result is the false notion of affiliation and non-affiliation, which can be harmful. At the ultimate, depression brought about by poverty and unemployment can lead to mindless thoughts like hatred and blame. People tend to think that people from other races as an easy excuse for all their miseries and pain.