What Is Racism? Where Might One Find It in Britian Today
Within this essay, I will provide an historical account of how racism first occurred and how it has taken our government some years to implement any polices that are relevant to this topic... For me to answer the first question within the essay I must first identify different views from varying authors because racism means different things to others like many things in life. By doing this and defining the fundamental term, I can begin to start answering ‘What is racism?’ For me to answer the second part of the question ‘Where in British society will one find it? ‘I will turn my attention to how racism is portrayed in the police service. Highlighting events, which have been historical in showing that racism, does exist within our police forces. Using the literature as a guide I will explore what polices are implemented to help protect ethnic minority groups Exploring how and if institutional racism played a part in these events and how the polices that we have in place failed Stephen Lawrence.
It was a common occurrence in the 18th century for Africans to be sold in the slave trade. This was not due to prejudice against the Africans but for the reason the merchants wanted to make a profit. During this time a profit was been made by the merchants contributing to economic profit so the logical thinking originated that white people were more superior. British government argued that as we had power over the countries that it was for honourable cause and that ‘white supremacy’ was required for human growth. As early as the 1950’s concern was growing and major debates where happening on race relations, immigration, and the longer term acts of discrimination amongst those of ethnic minorities. However, as stated in Solomos (1989:80) ‘The first measures to deal with potential racial conflict and tackle racial discrimination were taken in the 1960’s.’ This some ten years after the first concerns were raised.
What is racism? Where in British society will we find it?
It was a common occurrence in the 18th century for Africans to be sold in the slave trade. This was not due to prejudice against the Africans but for the reason the merchants wanted to make a profit. During this time a profit was been made by the merchants contributing to economic profit so the logical thinking originated that white people were more superior. British government argued that as we had power over the countries that it was for honourable cause and that ‘white supremacy’ was required for human growth. As early as the 1950’s concern was growing and major debates where happening on race relations, immigration, and the longer term acts of discrimination amongst those of ethnic minorities. However, as stated in Solomos (1989:80) ‘The first measures to deal with potential racial conflict and tackle racial discrimination were taken in the 1960’s.’ This some ten years after the first concerns were raised.
What is racism? Where in British society will we find it?
References: Aspen, K (2007) The Hounding of David Oluwale. London: Vintage Books. Baxter, C (1997) Race Equality in Health Care and Education: London: Baillière Tindall. Fredrickson, G (1934) Racism a short History. New Jersey: Prinston University Press Hall, N Grieve, J and Savage, S (2009) Policing and the Legacy of Lawrence Miles, R and Brown, M (1989) Racism (2nd Edition). New York: Routledge Penketh, L (2000) Tackling Institutional Racism: Anti- racist policies and social work education and training Rattansi, a (2007) Racism a Very Short Introduction. Oxford: University Press Rowe, M (2007) Policing Beyond Macpherson Rowe, M (2004) Policing, Race and Racism. Devon: Willan Publishing. Solomos, J (1989) Race and Racism in Britain. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.