racism

Crossing borders, microaggressions, exclusions, violence: Structural racism and everyday racism is the reality of many people.

Racism is a systemic problem. It is deeply rooted: The example of Germany shows that around 22% of the population is affected by racism (Source: Racist Realities (2022): How does Germany deal with racism? - Kick-off study on the National Discrimination and Racism Monitor (NadIRA) of the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM) German Center for Integration and Migration Research DeZIM e.V).

What is racism?

Racist thinking appears when people devalue other people based on their appearance, skin color, name, supposed culture or (attributed) origin. The devaluation can be expressed through thoughts, words, or actions. Unconscious is the goal of upgrading one's own, or upgrading the group to which you feel you belong, through the devaluation of other people, in short discrimination: Racism creates privileges for white people. Attention: white is not to be understood as skin color, but as a political term that describes those who do not have to experience the negative effects of racism. Therefore, white is written in italics.

Racism is based on the idea that people belong to a specific race and that they can be brought into a hierarchical order. In this constructed hierarchy, white people rank above black people and traits are attributed to each race that underpin this hierarchy. White people use this as an excuse to misuse their power and to justify the treatment of “others.” In this way, social and economic differences can be derived or the exclusion or even violence against certain groups (members) can be legitimized. This is a man-made ideology that has no basis. A biologically based hierarchy of groups of people has long been scientifically refuted.

Racism is man-made and served Europeans as early as the 16th century to justify enslaving other people.

The English term race is used in discourse critical of racism to differentiate the social groups created by racism. However, it cannot be translated with the German term “race.” In Germany, the term race is used because diversity-sensitive discourse refrains from the word “race” in order to also distance oneself from the historical National Socialist past of this word. The term “race” makes it clear that it is a political and constructed category and not about actual differences between and similarities within the respective groups, as is the case with animals, for example.

Similar to sexism There are power imbalances between the person affected by racism and the person belonging to the supposed majority society, as racism exists and can occur at various levels. It can come to light in interpersonal relationships, appear in organizations, for example when people are not invited to an interview because of their names, or on a social level.

Racist structures and ways of thinking are deeply rooted in our society. As a result, we reproduce unconscious racial stereotypes. To prevent this, it is important to address your own thought patterns.

Recognize racism

Racism often has a subtle effect when observed from outside, for example when people with a non-German name cannot find a home or when non-white people are portrayed cliché in books. For people who belong to groups vulnerable to racism, however, this is a pattern and an experience that is repeated in their lives and therefore also has a major impact on the reality of their lives.

Why is the question “Where are you from? “racist?

The question implies that the person is not “from here,” based on external characteristics. Belonging is reduced to appearance or name. Questions about origin, roots or homeland are examples of how people experience racism on a daily basis. What makes this question particularly sensitive for people who experience racism is the frequency with which they are asked this question. And that they and people who often don't read white are asked this question and the people asking are not satisfied with the answers given.

Effects of Racism

The effect of such a question, described as microaggression, is the frequency and lack of sensitivity to private information. In doing so, one's own interest is placed above the well-being of the other person and opens up a hierarchy that can be based on racism. These challenging questions and associated situations are part of everyday life for people who experience racism. Because racism is commonplace and omnipresent in the lives of these people.

More than a fifth of the population in Germany is affected by racism. Experiences of racial exclusion, such as the question “Where do you come from? “People experience regularly. Racism is exhausting and recurring. In the same way, people are repeatedly exposed to stereotypes. At work, they experience invisible barriers, such as not getting a promotion despite good performance, their voices not being heard equally and being given less expertise. Or they won't even be hired in the first place.

Structural racism is firmly anchored in institutions: in the healthcare system, for example when people with a non-German name find it harder to get an appointment or complaints are not taken seriously and people are given a lower dose of medication based on racist assumptions because of their skin color. Or in education, for example, when children and adolescents are attributed less ability and performance and they are rated differently than white children.

In the worst case, people are threatened or experience violence and attacks. At least five people in Germany are victims of a right-wing, racist or anti-Semitic act of violence every day (https://verband-brg.de/). Since 1990, there have been at least 213 deaths from racist and far-right violence: there are still racially motivated murders in Germany. (https://www.rassismusmonitor.de/fileadmin/user_upload/NaDiRa/CATI_Studie_Rassistische_Realit%C3%A4ten/DeZIM-Rassismusmonitor-Studie_Rassistische-Realit%C3%A4ten_Wie-setzt-sich-Deutschland-mit-Rassismus-auseinander.pdf).

Specific forms of racism:

Anti-black racism is racism against black people. In anti-Asian racism, (alleged) Asians are constructed as “different” or “exotic.” With anti-Muslim racism What is meant is a specific form of discrimination that affects Muslim (read) people. Anti-Eastern European racism is one that is directed against people from Eastern Europe and devalues them.

What can I do against racism?

There is no racism against white people. At the same time, racism is deeply rooted in our society and is a systemic problem. The majority must actively unlearn racism. It must be recognized and fought against.

Each and every one of us is responsible for drawing attention to racism. You can:

Become aware of your own privileges and social position
Question yourself “Have I ever said or done anything racist myself? ”
Show solidarity and support people with experiences of racism, not patronize them!
Pay attention to your language and make others aware
Perceive structures and see discrimination in one's own environment
Name racism and fight it

Racism in companies

Racism is also structurally anchored in companies and organizations. For companies, scientific organizations and political institutions, racism can manifest itself in many ways, for example when applicants are racialized because they are mistakenly attributed fewer competencies due to their names, skin color or other appearances, or there are false assumptions about language skills. Racism can be seen interpersonally in teams, when roles and tasks are distributed within the team, or during promotions. It is there and the question must be: How can we recognize and prevent racism in the company? When companies address their structures critically of racism and reflect on them, measures must be initiated for employees and managers, but also structural changes, such as a complaints office, which is required by law and is legally binding for all companies under the General Equal Treatment Act, offers a structural solution to a structural problem. However, there is also a need for preventive measures so that this form of discrimination can be prevented. This can be done through training and training for employees. With the help of training, employees are trained to recognize racism and learn ways of preventing and taking action not to give racism any effect in working life.

Anti-racism training, workshops or seminars provide organizations with the tools and knowledge to identify and address racism in their workplaces and spheres of influence.