Race and Ethnicity
The topic area I will discuss in this essay is that of ‘Race and Ethnicity.’ Both race and ethnicity are perhaps one of the many, most sensitive issues in society today and often arouse controversy and feelings in certain people/institutions we call ‘racism.’ In recent times the issues of racism, discrimination and ethnicity have been very much in the media, both home and abroad. In my essay I would like to focus on racism and ethnicity and what it means to different people and how we can approach it. ... It is clear that racism is a huge issue but in my analysis I would like to consider that in today’s society, by focussing so much on the issues of racism and ethnicity are we allowing ourselves to forget the other shortcomings of society? ... To many people racism is a specific form of discrimination, which is usually associated with someone’s colour of skin and ethnicity. ... The UNESCO provides the following definition in its ‘Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice:’ “Any theory which involves the claim that racial or ethnic groups are inherently superior or inferior, thus implying that some would be entitle to dominate or eliminate others, presumed to be inferior, or which bases value judgements on racial differentiation, has no scientific foundation and is contrary to the moral and ethical principles of humanity. ... It is true to say that attempts have been made to outlaw racial discrimination in the form of the ‘Race Relations Act’ and the ‘Public Order Act’ aimed to prohibit the incitement of racial hatred. It has, however proven much more difficult to criminalize the race hate and violence which kills. ... Indeed recent example of this are rife, for example in Oldham in the North West, race riots are becoming a frequent occurrence.