Racial Prejudice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Racial Prejudice - Essay Example A stereotype is an exaggerated belief, image or distorted truth about a person or group — a generalisation that allows for little or no individual differences or social variation. Stereotypes are based on images in mass media, or reputations passed on by parents, peers and other members of society. Prejudices are often accompanied by ignorance, fear or hatred. Prejudices are formed by a complex psychological process that begins with attachment to a close circle of acquaintances or an "in-group" such as a family. Prejudice is often aimed at "out-groups." Discrimination is behaviour that treats people unequally because of their group memberships. Discriminatory behaviour, ranging from slights to hate crimes, often begins with negative stereotypes and prejudices. Though most people feel that they are not racist, almost everyone has some form of racist attitude. How could they not know it? Racism can be Explicit, where it is outward, easily recognisable, and generally acknowledged. The segregation and discrimination if the US South in the 1950s was a form of explicit racism. It left little doubt that it existed and those that supported it did so openly. Racism may also be Implicit. These are the unconscious feelings we have and react to that result in prejudicial behaviour and discrimination without our conscious knowledge. We may get a sudden sense of fear if we board an aeroplane and see an Arab passenger aboard, or be fearful when we are followed by a young minority male at night. Our sub-conscious is reacting to the stereotypes that are ingrained in our mind. This is not a conscious rational decision to be prejudice, and the fears are unrealistic. The stereotypes and attitudes that create prejudice come from a variety of sources that we encounter everyday. They may come from our family, our friends, the workplace, the media, or a personal experience. They have in common the fact that they