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Why did racism exist?

Updated: 8/18/2023
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13y ago

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Racism has existed throughout history, it stems from the traditional ideas of racial supremacy held by most cultures, although in the modern world it exists without malice (think of patronism). These can manifest in such things as religion (The Chosen people) or social structure (Such as Slavery)

Athropologically, racism is a descendant from the evolutionary instinct that many animal species have which causes individuals to sort all creatures of their species into Us and Other. This is a very successful survival technique for social groups, allowing the easy distinction between the local (and thus likely friendly) population which the individual associated with, and remote (and thus likely hostile) groups which would likely be in contest for resources.

Racism is thus an extreme viewpoint which has progressed from clannism, through tribalism. The rise of what we could call Modern Racism coincides with the advent of the modern Nation-State, as the nation-state was originally defined heavily in terms of similar racial and social characteristics.

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13y ago
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9y ago
Racism occurs because some people believe that they are better then others.e.g they wear better clothes, or they are from a rich family I'm gay
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14y ago

There has always been racism or a fear of hose that were different. However The united states had a lot to do with putting strength behind the racist argument in its efforts to talk right its slow emergence from slavery.

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12y ago

Racism occurs because some people are full of hate and think that they're the most perfect people in the world because of the color of their skin, etc.

Basically racism was borne from fear and ignorance. Fear that others will take what you have so you devise systems to keep those who don't look like you from it. Subjugation of different ethnic groups, passing ridiculous laws, (black codes, Jim crow) as a justification to treat other races as subhuman and ensure one group is looked down upon (how else could "christians" explain slavery?). So one small group could retain and control the largest amounts of money and power for themselves in the society (who would want to share that anyway?) Sometimes, folks like to blame their inability to succeed even having all the advantages (the "right" skin color, religion and gender) on those who don't look like them[potato eaters (Irish) and garlic eaters(Italians)] in the late 1800's and the hicspanics today?

That way after you have placed de facto boundaries (even after laws were struck down) you benefit from daily the residual effects of past beliefs "white privilege" and perpetuate stereotypes of others, export those damaging cariatures of an entire race to other nations around the globe (via *gasp* tv shows) you can continue to make difficulty for those who aspire lift themselves up. However many can and do, thrive, believe, achieve and succeed despite annoying unnecessary obstacles before them. Living well, earning a six figure (or beyond) salary is ALWAYS the very best revenge!

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13y ago

Most of the time it happens because they don't live in a multicultural society. A multicultural society is where there are lots of different people from different places. Hope this helps x

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11y ago

Racism happened when one person decided they were better than another when feelings of superiority rise racism, sexism, ageism, division between the poor and the wealthy, ect. are born.

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13y ago

It did exist and still does exist all over because of fear and ignorance.

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13y ago

Because no one is perfect and no one is happy with themselves or one one another

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