The existence of homophobia or racism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The existence of homophobia or racism - Essay Example However, this is a primitive thinking that should be condemned in one accord since human beings are equal regardless of their skin color, ethnicity or any other baseless ground that is used by unethical individuals to discriminate others. Skin color should not be used as a ground of determining how much respect a person should get. Racism is believed to be prompted by numerous reasons. However, the four main causes include stereotyping, environmental factors, unfamiliarity, and selfishness (Fredrickson, 2011). Labeling of other races and communities as inferior through the radio, television, in the internet and through books among other platforms leads to discrimination and unfair treatment of the targeted communities. Stereotype is very effective especially if introduced to young people (children) where a child might be exposed to false allegations of a particular group made by his or community thus growing believing that all people from the alleged community are that way. Unfamiliarity is also a common source of racism in the modern world (Fredrickson, 2011). People have a tendency of fearing what is unfamiliar to them or what they do not apprehend. Sources show that there is a very high likelihood for a person to discriminate against another community that he or she has never lived in or does not understand fully. This situation is mostly fueled by other factors like negative stereotypes or labeling that an individual might have received in the past against the targeted community or group (Fredrickson, 2011). Therefore, integration of cultures is highly advisable particularly in the early stages of child development like in schools. Parents, guardians and the society in general have a role to play in attempt to eradicate this problem by counterbalancing false stereotypes that children may encounter while growing up. Another major and obvious source of racism is selfishness since at times human beings are extremely selfish