How Did Racism Start? History, Examples, and How to Take Action

Racism occurs when individuals, communities, or institutions discriminate against people based on their racial or ethnic background, especially when targeting historically marginalized groups. It can manifest in personal interactions, be embedded within institutions, or even be internalized by individuals. Discrimination includes not only attitudes and actions but also larger systems that reinforce inequality. But where did racism originate? Has it always existed, or was it deliberately constructed at a certain point in history? This article explores the origins of racism, highlights modern examples, and discusses ways to take action.

The Origins of Racism

Racism is built on the belief that some racial groups are superior to others. While prejudice and exclusion have existed throughout history, the modern concept of “race” was shaped by white Europeans and Americans to justify slavery.

How Did Racism Begin?

To understand racism, we first need to examine the idea of “race” itself. For most of human history, people did not classify one another into racial categories the way they do today. Societies recognized physical differences and held biases, but the rigid racial classifications that now exist were largely developed during the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the 16th century.

Before this period, slavery was practiced in different parts of the world, but many questioned its morality. As the demand for enslaved labor increased in the 17th century, white Europeans and Americans needed a way to justify it. The concept of race emerged as a tool to create a hierarchy that placed white people at the top and Black people at the bottom. This racial ideology was used to argue that certain groups were “naturally” meant to be enslaved, reinforcing oppressive systems through both pseudoscience and religious doctrine.

How Racism Has Evolved

Although slavery was abolished in the 19th century, racism did not end with it. Instead, it evolved into new forms, such as segregation, discriminatory laws, and institutional barriers. In the United States, the Jim Crow era enforced racial segregation in schools, public spaces, and housing. Even after the Civil Rights Movement led to legal changes, racism persisted in more subtle ways, such as redlining, mass incarceration, and employment discrimination.

Today, racism continues to shape economic opportunities, political representation, and social interactions. While overt racism still exists, much of modern racism is more covert, taking the form of microaggressions, systemic inequalities, and racial biases that influence policies and practices.

Modern Examples of Racism

Racism is not just a historical issue-it remains a pressing problem worldwide. Some modern examples include:

Racial Profiling: Many people of colour, especially Black and Latino individuals, are disproportionately stopped by police, searched, or treated as suspects based on stereotypes rather than actual behavior.
Housing Discrimination: Although illegal, people of colour still face challenges in securing loans, renting apartments, and buying homes due to implicit biases and discriminatory policies.
Workplace Inequality: Studies have shown that job applicants with “ethnic-sounding” names are less likely to get callbacks compared to those with traditionally white names, even when qualifications are identical.
Healthcare Disparities: People of colour often receive lower-quality healthcare due to biases within the medical system, leading to higher mortality rates, especially among Black mothers and infants.
Hate Crimes: Violent attacks based on race, such as the Charleston church shooting in 2015 and the 2022 Buffalo supermarket attack targeting Black individuals, show that racial hatred can still lead to deadly consequences.

Colourblind Racism

One of the ways racism continues to thrive is through colourblind racism-the idea that ignoring race will somehow eliminate discrimination (eg. “I don’t see colour”). While this perspective may seem well-intentioned, it actually dismisses the lived experiences of people who face racial inequality. By pretending that race doesn’t matter, colourblind racism allows systemic discrimination to persist unchallenged. Instead of promoting true equality, it prevents society from addressing and correcting racial injustices.

Slurs, Stereotypes, and Discrimination

Racial slurs and stereotypes reinforce harmful prejudices, often portraying people of colour in ways that justify discrimination. Stereotypes-such as the “angry Black woman,” the “illegal immigrant,” or the “terrorist”-shape how people are perceived and treated in daily life. Even when not openly hostile, racial stereotypes fuel implicit biases that affect hiring decisions, policing, and social interactions.

Discrimination based on race can take many forms, from denying people jobs and housing to treating them differently in schools and healthcare settings. It also exists in more violent forms, such as racially motivated killings and attacks.

How to Take Action Against Racism

Fighting racism requires active participation at both the individual and societal levels. Here are some ways to take action:

Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the history of racism and its modern manifestations. Share this knowledge with friends, family, and your community.
Challenge Racist Remarks and Stereotypes: Speak up when you hear racial slurs or stereotypes being used. Silence allows racism to continue unchecked.
Support Anti-Racist Policies: Advocate for policies that promote racial justice, such as police reform, equitable education funding, and stronger anti-discrimination laws.
Diversify Your Media Consumption: Read books, watch documentaries, and follow social media accounts that highlight diverse voices and experiences.

Conclusion

Racism is not a relic of the past-it continues to shape society in profound ways. Understanding its history, recognizing its modern forms, and actively working to dismantle it are crucial steps toward a more just and equitable world. By educating ourselves, challenging discriminatory practices, and advocating for change, we can all play a role in combating racism and building a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

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Please note: the views and opinions expressed on this blog are that of my own and do not represent the opinions of any agency mentioned.

How Did Racism Start? History, Examples, and How to Take Action