Racism: A Myth or an Enduring Reality?

For many, the idea of making every country in the world homogenous and exclusive to one race or culture is presented as a potential solution to eliminate racism. However, the reality is far more complex and nuanced. Let’s delve into the realities and mythologies surrounding this concept.

Racism: More Than Skin Deep

The notion that simply making each country ethnically homogenous would automatically eliminate racism is misguided. Racism, at its core, is not just about skin color; it is a manifestation of bigotry that often stems from fear, ignorance, and a desire for power and control. Even in culturally homogeneous societies, social dynamics and prejudices thrive. For example, in the city where the author resides, despite shared languages, religions, and cultural practices, groups still face derogatory labeling and heightened tension. This suggests that racism and bigotry will persist in any setting, irrespective of cultural or racial homogeneity.

The Myth of Identity

One of the primary misunderstandings about racism is the belief that nationality equates to race. This conflation is a significant factor in perpetuating racial hierarchies and discrimination. However, even when a nation is comprised of a single ethnic group, deep-seated prejudices can still arise. In the 1980s, Norway witnessed a period of relative ethnic homogeneity, yet there was still a stark division between Northern Norwegians and the rest. Rental ads during that time even explicitly excluded Northern Norwegians, highlighting the complex and dynamic nature of such divisions.

The Fluidity of In-group Dynamics

Racism and other forms of bigotry are not static or easily eradicated. Instead, they are fluid and adaptable, shifting focus as new groups emerge. As the author suggests, when a new, more different group arrives, the in-group and out-group dynamics change. For instance, in a community where the majority is white, individuals from different countries might share no common ground outside of skin color. However, when faced with a vastly different cultural environment, a sense of shared identity can quickly emerge. This is seen in various immigrant communities where people of different nationalities form tight-knit communities due to their shared experience of living in a predominantly different culture.

Expanding Our Sense of Belonging

When people encounter unfamiliar cultures, their sense of belonging often expands. The author notes that in the midst of a very different group of people, one’s idea of "your" group greatly expands. For example, in Asia, two white people might quickly bond despite their different nationalities due to a shared experience of being minority groups in an Asian context. However, if they were to return to a predominantly white environment, their sense of community would shrink, focusing on smaller sub-groups such as hometowns or specific neighborhoods.

Concluding Thoughts

The concept of eliminating racism through a world of cultural homogeneity is a myth. Racism and other forms of bigotry thrive in the spaces we create, often shifting focus as demographics and social dynamics change. True equality and acceptance require a concerted effort to challenge and dismantle existing prejudices, not just changing the cultural makeup of a society.