The origin of racism and the process by which it develops
To know the origin of racism we must bear in mind that we are beings that have a cultural need, so we go through a cultural learning process called endoculturation. Perhaps the trigger is that said endoculturation of a specific group can have an ethnocentrist character, that is, an attitude of considering its racial, cultural and national group as superior and the groups of others as lower. And as a consequence, ethnocentrism can trigger xenophobia, fear and rejection of the other by different from oneself, and therefore racism.
In addition, we must bear in mind that there are reactive mechanisms learned within endoculturation, through culture and through prejudices, since we are damage to social learning, which are activated when the case is given.
This set of elements is consolidated in stereotypes and practices that are transmitted, sometimes fiercely, sometimes subtle, generation to generation. An obvious example is when an English family claims not to be racist or have behaviors of this type until their daughter has an African boyfriend, at that time their prejudices are fueled in such a way that they do not see that relationship possible.
Likewise, symbolic violence conceals a racism because it is considered that uncontrolled heterogeneity is an anomaly whose consequences must be stopped, provoking rude attitudes. These attitudes can be divided into a "intolerant" position and a "tolerant" position. The "intolerant" is that in which individuals who support a non -existent cultural uniformity are integrated, who urgent actions that limit the right to think, speak and feel and that leads to an extreme ethnocentrism forming biological racists (discrimination that uses the characteristicsphysical people to exclude them) and cultural (justification of a historical-cultural superiority of some groups with respect to others for undervalued cultural features). Faced with this position, there is the "tolerant" that defends respect for the minormarked as "normal". Even ratifying the same logic of racism and supporting its foundation.
Both positions think that cultural diversity is a problem that lacks a homogeneity of culture, when there really was never a. This leads to a great conflict, since they seek eagerly an event in vain, impossible to occur.
It is also appropriate to mention that within symbolic violence, the case of hidden racism within expressions that are normalized in society can be given. These expressions may have no intention and be used unconsciously, but they show an ideological discourse leaving a rejection nuance.
Some examples of these expressions can be "work like a black", "Moor", "go a gypsy", "Chinese work".
All these elements, both ethnocentrism and learned reactive mechanisms and symbolic violence promote racism extolling. As a consequence, hate crimes can be created, that is, violent, intimidating and hostile acts directed towards people by their identity, which is perceived as different by those who act in that way. In addition, Hatento quotes social concepts linked to hate crimes, in which hate incidents and hate discourse are differentiated.
The hate incident is a behavior of abuse and contempt for people for belonging to a certain collective, this behavior is not typified as a crime, but they can trigger criminal behaviors. An example in this case could be when a Spanish woman is sitting on the bus having a free seat by her side, and an African woman passes and immediately puts the bag in the seat so she does not feel there. Here a contempt behavior is confirmed towards its race by not wanting it to feel by their side, there really is no inconvenience in which the African woman feels there. However, he has a feeling of discomfort and lets his racist attitudes shine, these attitudes are not considered a crime, but that is why it ceases to be a totally unnecessary hostile behavior.
While hate discourse is any form of expression whose purpose is to promote, incite, spread or justify hatred, in our racial case towards specific social groups. It is done from an intolerant attitude, since speaking is already an act that has the ability to damage itself and can cause violent action. An example of hate speech could be that political party that attacks foreign people ensuring that they come to the country to take away food, work and well -being. Although this has no basis, it is able to spread ethnic hatred and encourage hostile behaviors towards them.
In conclusion, both the hate incident and hate discourse stimulate the height of racism that has been created through ethnocentrism, the prejudices that make up the reactive mechanisms learned and symbolic violence.
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