Is racism taught or learned?

Racism has been learned through out its known history by the same methods that sexism is taught. It is learned from examples set by family members,peers and society. Racist beliefs can be passed down through generations,societal norms and even religious institutions.

Institutions that propagate racist beliefs and attitudes depend upon the acceptance of those attitudes and beliefs as societal norms,religious values and the belief that racism is morally correct.

Children are often indoctrinated with racist ideas,attitudes and beliefs about different races in order to gain full membership into such organizations as the Klu Klux Klan and the Nazi party. These organizations teach racial hatred and intolerance by the passing out of literature,holding rallies and speaking at public functions. They use books,periodicals and newspapers help them disseminate their propaganda. Terror, is sometimes used by these organizations to frighten or terrorize their victims into submission.

Seemingly legitimate methods and means are also used by racist organizations to deceive the public from discovering their real and intended purposes. Those who are most vulnerable to be solicited for membership are often poor,unemployed and outcast. It is possible but rare to see college graduates or people with good paying jobs entering the ranks of these organizations. Though there are some members who are well educated they are not the majority.

These organizations often but not always will target blacks,Hispanics and Asians as racial inferiors who should not in their opinion, have any part in a free and democratic society. Minorities are openly discriminated against by members of racist organizations. Religious and ethnic groups that often targeted by some racist organizations are catholics,Jews and the Irish.

These organizations attempt to teach and propagate the beliefs an attitudes of racism to other members of society through the use of various media, deception and violence.

In order to counter the teachings of racist organizations we,as a society must pass more laws and ensure the enforcement of anti-racism laws. We can educate our young as to the methods and means that these organizations use to gain membership and social acceptance in society. To be for warned is to be for armed. We can teach our children that racism is morally wrong and unacceptable by our societies standards.

Society can respond in ways that are too numerous to list. What’s important to remember is that even if racism is taught we by what we teach and practice by example can prevent the learning of racism by our children.