Sociology

Racism is a multifaceted concept that is manifested in different ways in the society.  Racism is based on intense hatred for another person by one who believes that heshe as well as the associated race is more superior. Racism can be defined in many ways.  According to Benoist (1999),  racism can be defined as any theory claiming the intrinsic superiority or inferiority of racial or ethnic groups which would give to some the right to dominate or even eliminate others, presumed inferior, or basing value judgments on racial differences (p.3).

Through colonialism and slave trade, the concept of white privilege was perpetuated as whiteness was perceived as a ticket for domination and rule of other races more in Africa and Asia. The white colonialist practiced segregation in most places such as apartheid in South Africa where there were designated schools, eating points, streets, bars and other social places for blacks and whites.

Racism manifests itself in different forms in the society. Ones physical feature is the major form in which racism is manifested. Under the concept of white supremacy, people with black skin color, the blacks are normally down looked upon by the white- the whiteness society. Conversely, the blacks may also use the skin color as a way of showing some prejudice to the whites. Discrimination is another way in which racism is manifested in the society. In this case, opportunities and social benefits are shared in a skewed manner among different races. Hostility and physical persecution may also act as a show of racism in the society. Accordingly, members of the perceived superior race would very hostile to the members of the perceived inferior race. In the process, there is possibility of constant squabbles, physical attacks and mistrust. Racism can also manifest itself in a religious manner. In this case, discrimination of a given population segment may be manifested on peoples religious grounds. Further, during the height of slave trade, most whites and slave owners not only viewed the slaves as heathens who would only be relatively free when they converted to Christianity. Impliedly, one can be discriminated against because of the religious affiliations and face undue racial mistreatment.

World over, race is socially constructed through different ways and means. Based on the ideologies of white supremacy, the whites race is viewed as not only superior but also biologically important in the society. In the construction of   race and white privilege, socially, several issues come into play. The historical realities more in America that is characterized by slavery, racial segregation and authoritarian rule are some factors responsible for the racism. According to, these concepts, in relation to whiteness and the question of race are socially significant and can be intimately linked to the history of social organization in American society (Guess, 2006, p.6). White privilege is also constructed in the process of creating cultural identities in the society. To enhance their perceived supremacy, the whites in most countries especially during the 19th century, based their identities on the color of their skins. It is through such beliefs that the whites usurped their privileges politically and economically what become their identities. Being born white was a privilege as one would get the best education, ease access to power and authority and even to own a slave. Though, not currently openly practiced, the white privilege ideologies still exist in the society, though the practice has its origin to the old age oppressions and slavery meted against the blacks and the Native Americans. Emphatically, Transnational Racial Justice Initiative (2001) established that white privilege as it currently exist has its roots in the US conquest and oppression of indigenous peoples and the US role in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade (p.6). As such, the white privilege stems from the historical injustices that the oppressed races have been exposed to, and has systematically evolved over time.