What is the root cause of racism?

Answer 1

One of the root causes is ignorance. Also, it is a lack of understanding, and false perceptions about others which amounts to a lack of knowledge, which once again translates back to ignorance.

Racism is not particular to one race, all of us - no matter what race we are - experiences racism. All of us need to be educated in an effort to minimize this kind of mentality.

None of us see reality in its most perfect and purest form. We interpret what we read, we interpret what we hear, we interpret what we see and we call that reality when actually it could be the furthest thing from the truth. Perceptions of others can be correct and on target, or they can be incorrect and well off target. Its a perception and only a perception. We need as a society to bridge the gap, and this can only be accomplished when people understand the past, let it go, and move on to the future. The problem we have today, is that some people refuse to let the past go, and tend to harbor great resentment.

Basically, people must be willing to change. Its not that they can not change, but they are in many cases unwilling to change.

If there is anything that is stead-fast and unchanging, it is change itself. Change is inevitable. However, positive change can only evolve from enlightenment and understanding. Once again, we all need to be educated.

Answer 2

The root cause of racism is a complex combination of historical factors, social conditioning, fear of the unfamiliar or different, ignorance, and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. It often stems from a sense of superiority or entitlement based on race, leading to discrimination and prejudice against certain groups.