Racism

Racism seems to be the big debate happening right now.  The debate is the result of the report the Collingwood AFL club commissioned.  It really is an extension of a wider debate that has been happening about “black lives matter.”  Merriam-Webster defines racism as, “a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race”
What is clear to me is that racism is not the domain of one people group.  Racism is found in every people group.  Right through history it has been displayed.  It is most public in the US at the moment.  I think a lot of genocide is the result of racism.  We sometimes see racism on display on Australia Day.  Although mostly not the norm, sometimes racism is not only tolerated but encouraged.
What does seem to me to be a precursor to its manifestation is one group holding power over another.  What is happening to the Rohingya at the moment is a case in point.  Hitler believed the Arian race was superior to others.  Apartheid was racist.  Spectators at sports venues hurl racist statements at players.  In all cases the perpetrators had, at least initially, the advantage.
For all the talk of its injustice I do not believe it can be legislated against.  To me only a change of heart can keep someone from being racist if that is how they are.
But I do believe the consequence of racist actions can be legislated against.  If a person is racist, the best I can do is curtail their actions.  For me there is nothing like rules and regulations and hip pocket outcomes to keep me in check.
Running amok seems to be the consequence of an absence of rules.    Rioting often shows that to me.  When law breaks down there is an inclination to take and destroy.  That is often property and possessions, but in the worst cases it is other’s lives.  Racism runs amok because it can.
Dictionary.com defines exploitation as, “the act of selfishly taking advantage of someone or a group of people in order to profit from them or otherwise benefit oneself.”  US slavery seems to be a classic.
Personally, I am in favour of legislation.  I do not believe however it will change a racist to a non-racist.  That does not sound real optimistic, but our track record of success with that and other things does not auger well.  It seems to me if it worked it would have worked long ago.
A part of “The Drum” was recently dedicated to this issue.  I agreed with one lady who spoke who was as black as the ace of spades.  She was asked how optimistic she was that things would change.  She was incredibly apologetic but indicated that she was “not very.”
I reckon it is difficult for many of us to understand what it is like to not know if the person who left home would be back, or the many ways racism though maybe unspoken is manifest.
It is one of the reasons I believe as I do.  Too much seems to be clutching at straws.  I have always found that dealing with the source is better than dealing with the symptoms.  Change a heart, and a multitude of issues are dealt with.