Is there a WhatsApp group anywhere in Africa that is not discussing racism against black people, particularly in China?
Racism is a long-standing reality for black people, manifested through slavery, colonialism and apartheid, reducing black people to one affiliation—that of those to be subjugated. Racism takes many shapes today, such as the stereotypical images of black people in the controversial advert by Chinese laundry detergent brand in which a Chinese woman is shown pushing a black man into a washing machine, turning him into a light skinned Asian man. Enormous amounts of research prove ethnic and racial inequalities in American society with black people facing police brutality, structural barriers to quality housing, healthcare, employment and education. Many would be racists are exposed to misinformation about people different from themselves at an early age. They receive second-hand distorted information, shaped by stereotypes and prejudice. With this foundation, the key to understanding racism lies in knowing that racists exercise power. One can have prejudices, however, taking part in discrimination or a hate crime requires power, either real or perceived, over the victim. In speaking of racism, I am writing about an expression of prejudice from a mostly seemingly more powerful entity, directed at an individual in a less privileged position, through power. Circulating videos show racists exercising power supported by societal attitudes, and sometimes policies and legislation rationalising discriminatory treatment towards Africans. Societal support is key in understanding why racism drives people to the worst kind of extremism, and why they consider their racist acts legitimate and surprised if their actions are termed criminal. With its attendant violence, racism is an outward expression of narratives and discourses accepted by races against other races. Sometimes, racism is perpetrated by a system in which a group of people exercise power over another. Colonialism, for instance, legalised segregation of races, poor healthcare, inferior education and unequal economic opportunities, exclusion and the distortion of African history.
