Is racism the world’s most destructive problem?

gulfnews.com Racism can tear apart a nation

I have actually lived in South Africa, the rainbow nation, during the apartheid era. There was more economic development in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. There were more job opportunities and more housing projects for people. The media was and still is the worst enemy of white South Africans because of selective reports. Hence, very few have ever reported on how over 3,000 white farmers have been murdered since the apartheid ended, or talked about the unused farms, which were given to previously disadvantaged people, the corruption in the government, and countless illegal immigrants in the country, who are doing crimes and getting away with it.

I feel the world is seeing the wrong image of a self-sufficient country, which now imports more than it produces. People who say they were brainwashed into hating other ethnic groups show little sense. We fought together — black people and white — and now, the government led by the African National Congress (ANC) is too corrupt, with futile attempts to do anything. The South African government itself is tearing a once proud nation apart. It is a shame. From Ms Johan Nel UAE

Educate to end racism

Y ou just can’t stop racism completely – it is not that simple. First, we need to educate people that everyone in this world is equal, even though any individual might be superior to you in other ways, such as talent or skill. It is human nature to judge people according to their race or colour. Stricter laws will not help either, until people change their mindset. To do that, you would have to educate people. I believe education is the best answer to many problems today. When people stop judging others, I guess that is when racism will come to an end. From Mr Ali Seddiqi UAE

Too many forms

D iscrimination comes in many forms. It is not only limited to the colour of one’s skin but can be about race, religion, gender or ethnicity in the society, and the entire world is under its influence in one way or another. From Mr Farrukh Rehman UAE

Source of issues

R acism is a pressing problem. It is one of the reasons that we do not have peace and unity. From Ms Elma Estrada UAE

The choice is yours

E ducation and knowledge about racial differences, and how to embrace people from other ethnicities, are the keys to a united world. Our free will helps us choose our own paths, without being forced or influenced by the other. It is up to the person’s heart and mind to choose right from wrong. We cannot blame the lack of wisdom, the stereotyping, racism or discrimination tendencies on the different paths other people choose, because we are solely responsible for every decision and choice we make, whether it affects those around us or not. From Ms Cassandra Jr. Sandra UAE

Decide for yourself

A nyone can change if he/she actually wants to, because we have the willpower to choose what we decide for ourselves. No one is perfect but what effort are you putting in, to make sure that you change? My parents taught me to hate all non-blacks. I have probably grown up with a racist ideology in the back of my mind. However, as long as I am concerned, children would play with anyone, regardless of race, until a racist adult tells them not to. It’s as simple as that. From Mr Kelvin Alexander Dubai

Learn from the past

Y ou cannot erase history but you can educate the new generation. From Mr Mohammad Omar UAE

Laws not enough

Y ou cannot legislate racism out of existence. You have to educate people to loosen its ugly hold. There will always be ignorant people, but I am determined to stand up when I see it and to speak out. From Ms Karen J. Cravy UAE

Greed is powerful

I t seems to me that ignorance, which is the primary cause of racism – and also why children learn racism from their parents – is the world’s most destructive problem. However, greed can actually be more destructive. From Ms Airing Xlii Khouri UAE

What is the alternative?

I t won’t matter to me because I will be gone, but my descendants will live in a different world, where being a white person will mean being in a very small minority. I grew up in a 99 per cent white Christian country which will probably become a 99 per cent mixedrace, Muslim country, two hundred years from now. I hope white people can understand that and accept it, as the alternative is too terrible to think about. If the white minority can’t accept it, they will be wiped out. Unless, of course, they stop their white neighbourhoods from being changed forever. Britain is addressing this situation right now by pulling out of the European Union and that is only the beginning. From Mr Kevin Henson Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France

More regulations

Y es, there should be stricter laws against racism. Human beings are all the same. It shouldn’t matter if the person is white, brown or black. People should be treated equally, irrespective of which race they belong to. From Mr Ahtasham Imtiyaz Karachi, Pakistan

Still a dream

N elson Mandela spent 27 years in jail and relentlessly strove to end apartheid in South Africa. But it looks like his ideals for a majority of the nations and their people still remain a dream. The hard-hitting reality is that at the ground level, racist prejudices are still prevalent in the world. Racism has been a part of human history since time immemorial. On the basis of colour, race, sects, nationality, religion and other factors, it stems out in a violent way, quite often. Hierarchy in society propels people towards practicing racism. Creating division on the basis of skin colour gives rise to animosity among people, so is the ‘divide and rule’ policy responsible for escalating this bias? Racism has been an instrument of discrimination and a tool of exploitation. The need of the hour is for all countries to join hands to get rid of racial prejudice. Treating everyone as an equal, as a fellow human being, can help make the world a better place. From Ms Jayashree Kulkarni Abu Dhabi

Editor’s note: Is there a debate topic that you feel strongly about? Something that you would like to see addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.

Gulf News is not liable for any of the reader-delivered content on this page. It is a reflection of their individual opinion and not that of the newspaper. This page will always follow the principle of civil discourse.