Chapter 20.

False Solution
For years, a lot of people have tried giving solutions to put an end to racism. Continuous
efforts from individuals and various organizations are observed. When you ask an individual
about the possible solutions they have to stop racism, they share their comments and
opinions. Among the given solutions presented on the table, will all of them help in solving
this issue?

In this chapter, we are going to discuss some so-called solutions that are actually not and
reconsderations that are actually reycled racism at best. Identifying the reason behind them
and why won’t help in stopping the pervasiveness of racism but instead help in persisting it.
One of these is what people call “racial reconciliation”.

What is racial reconciliation?

Establishing cross-cultural relationships, engaging with one another despite of difference is

what we call racial reconciliation. It can be expressed visibly in the community or the church.
This is a way of trying to embrace other people of different culture and race while giving
them equal opportunities. This rapprochement isn’t only expressed verbally but also in
actions. Meaning, when one fails explicitly show both, reconciliation would be useless. A
deceitful reconciliation is a false solution in ending racism.

The False Solution To Stop Racism

Today, the effects of racism continue to affect everyone’s lives. One group that gains from
racism results lives an advantaged life while the other continues to be deprived of what they
deserve. The backbone of racism is privilege void of fair competition. It doesn’t mean that
people have to turn their wealth to the deprived ones just to show repentance for abusing,
discrminating, and underestimating another God’s child. As what it should be, fair economic
opportunities should be given to them. When the benefactors of racism ask forgiveness for
their acts resulting to decades of financial benefits is nothing as you see him return to his
mansion and sleep unbothered at all. It is a fooslishness to make such verbal statements
without showing sincerity through their actions. There should be an economic way to
expand opportunities and extended help to the victims of racism or else the meeting is
nothing but a bluff. Without the economic empowerment given to the oppressed group of
people, what’s the essence of the tears that shed from the eyes of the benefactor? What’s
the purpose of using religious statements or quotes from the Bible? Is it all just for a show?
From all the sufferings and struggles, we need their words to be converted into positive
actions; their effort is void of godly value.

Reconciliation is good for us but would be better when the same privileges are given to
victims of racism. It has proven to be a failure without better economic opportunities
provided to the oppressed. Economic advantages are what actually drive people to be a
racist; it’s the heart of racism which means your skin pigmentation has nothing to do with it.
The oppresses should be granted the same exposure to privileges and opportunities with
equal access depending on the qualifications. After enjoying the benefits racism for
hundreds of years, now is the chance to help the oppressed to compete and rise
economically. It is impossible to see them rise above from nothing. Hence, reconciliation is
better when there are economic opportunities beside it. If not, it would just be a bilind
gesture. The way forward is to have a reconciliation that gives accessible economic
opportunities and privileges.
Racists Make You Look Like A Fool

Love conquer us all, they say. It’s definitely true. But as greed continues to be nourished and
propagated, it can overpower your thoughts. Corrupted mind triggers to commit wrongful
acts. Racists want you to look like a fool by believing their apologies, their statements. Once
you go with the flow, they’ll continue to act friendly in front of you but actually act
otherwise behind you. They blind your eyes as they strangle your neck.

To avoid from getting fooled of what they say “reconciliation”, observe them; look what’s
next. Be vigilant of what is happening around you. Are you given more economic
opportunities than before? Are they helping all of you without any hidden agenda? If yes,
racial reconciliation would be more effective.

Chapter 21. True Solution

There are tons of varied proposed solutions to racism. Mostly involves education as well as
open communication not only between leaders but also of citizens. Is the solution to stop
racism is giving minorities greater opportunity? Can developing plans to improve cross-
cultural understanding pave the way? Or promoting empathy between racial groups would
do?

Education has been primarily involved in every possible solution thought by everyone. It has
been associated to mostly every problem that our world have. Yes, it undeniably helps us
gain further understanding of different issues and concerns. It gives light to the dark road
towards parity. If used in the right, education can help in solving social problems. However,
as people who hold political postions and people of higher economic status continue to
reinforce racist ideas for their personal gains, it shows that even education, if not used in the
right thing, wouldn’t solve it all alone. Another way to solve this matter is to end racial
tensions between majority and minority groups. If they continue to pull each other just to go
up, will there be any progress to stop racism? It is better to empower their communcation
through all the means they can use.

There are so many solutions one can think of. They are varied and diverse in nature; all with
their own implications. More true solutions await to be discovered and it takes you to unveil
them by reading further in this chapter.

Ending The Reign Of Racism

Talks about racism never stop. And as we continue talk about it, it won’t take a rest even
fora minute. The call to end the pervasiveness of racism have arrived long before but still
doesn’t succeed to its mission. In the previous chapter, we’ve discussed about the false
solutions for racism. Now, we’ve come farther as we find out what are the true solutions
that would help ending the story of racism.
 Recognize your own privilege.

Learning and understanding the privilege you have is one of the first things you can to fight
racism. What are your basic rights? Political, economic, and social opportunities for you?
Having an adequate knowledge will help you recognize your racial privilege in different
aspects. You can not only gain from it but also use your privilege and opportunities as a tool
to help in dismantling systematic racism in your society.

On the other hand, it is important understant that aside from your race, there are various
aspects that can affect the level of your privilege such as your socio-economic status,
gender, religion, language, nationality, and more. Before using your collective privileges to
empower and uplift others, you must be fully aware of them first and recognize its
implications.

 Assessing your own biases.

Experiences you gather from hearing negative messages from other people and racist ideas
they consider as reality produce and reinforce biases, prejudices, and stereotypes. They lead
to both social and racial discrimination. Before telling someone he/ she is a racist, ask
yourself too. Do you have any racist ideas and views in mind? Are there any actions you have
done resulting to racism? Self-assessment of your own biases can help you reconstruct nasty
thoughts and actions into rightful one. Through examining yourself, you put yourself in the
right track first before helping to solve this problem.

 Learn to validate experiences and feelings.

People of color are also human beings. They get hurt too; they cry and suffer. Invalidating
their harshful past experiences and being insensitive of what they may feel won’t help you
address the main issue. You have show them your support through hearing their stories,
their sentiments, and conversing with them about race, inequality, and injustices. Show
them there’s nothing to be afraid of discussing oppression and discrimination. By hearing
them out, you’ll have idea how and why racism continue to persist in our society.

 Look beyond one’s skin color.

We should all acknowledge the different races and cultures within our world. To simplify, we
should be fully aware of diversity. The mask of region, religion, and cultural aspects do not
justofy racism and must be discarded. The problem about racism is its unjust ways of
treating people of color. We should be aware of the everyone’s differences but don’t make it
as an excuse to treat them differently.

 Stop normalizing racist “jokes” and statements.

In social media, there’s no way you can’t spot racist memes, jokes, and statements. Do not
be part of the crowd mocking other races, instead try to enlighten them that it may be funny
in their part, it is otherwise on the person or group being discriminated. If you are not that
comfortable enough to confront them, you can ask questions and weaken their thought
process. Neglecting such any form or racist jokes and comments only help in perpetuating
and normalizing racism. These biases and prejudices can be minimized in simple ways. And
also take note that laughing along these comments means you agree with them.

 Stand up against wrong.

Ignoring wrongful acts only helps for racism to persist. If you see your child gets badly
beaten by your husband, won’t you defend your child from him? Or you would rather cry in
the corner, remain silent, because of the fear he might place his anger unto you? When you
see your classmate being shamed by your teacher because of his race, would you try to
defend him? Or not because think you are just a student and has no power over your
teacher?

You would probably be under some situations where you know what is right but doesn’t
dare to do so because of some factors such as fear and power. Well, being silent only save
yourself while other people suffer. It has always been the time to stand up against abuse,
discrimination, and prejudices. Voice out, let them hear you.

 Expanding opportunities.

Who said that you alone can’t help in fighting against racism? You cn help in eliminating
barriers among people. If you are a working invidual, find out how your company or
organization can help in providing more opportunities to people of color. If you’re a student,
you can help also help in expanding the privilege of your fellow students through fixing
what’s wrong in your education system. Whoever you are, you can do something. By
addressing issues concerning racism, one can help in promoting the culture of equality and
equity.

 See others as you see yourself.

If you see yourself as a wonderful person, it wouldn’t be hard to incclude all people in the
world. See them as someone equal as you. You both have feelings, experiences, and share
the same air. When you start seeing yourself more than them, that’s when you create racist
ideas to pull them down while elevating yourself more. We all have our own wonders that
make us extraordinary and special.

Wish others the same as you wish yourselves. You want good things to happen for your
improvement? Wish others too. Wishing for your safety? Others want it too.

 Know that God made us all the same.

Yes, people are diverse in nature. We all vary in physical characteristics, color, learning
ability, and more but bear in mind that behind our appearance, we all share the same blood.
We all are the same when it comes to potential that resides within us. We are all human
beings- enough reason to unite as one and empower each other. We are the same at birth
and death so what’s the reason of creating tensions between people? Racism is the infusion
of false doctrine that between and birth.
 Love and accept.

Of all the potential solutions given above, no one can beat love. Love is the greatest antidote
to racism. If you manifest love for all people, acceptance will come next. Racism is full of
hate but once this feeling is converted to love, things would have a smoother flow. There
would be peace, happiness, and satisfaction that would guide us through the light. And let us
hold each other’s hands and embrace differences. It makes people find joy. We’re all aware
that nothing’s better than seeing people with plastered smile on their faces.

Love fairly. The law of salvation forbid particle love; God loves us all. No more, no less. In His
eyes, nothing draws us apart- not even our skin color. He loves us all despite of our
differences. If we just love each other like how God loves us, racism will never wake up.
Neither it would be in your neighborhood’s door nor in people’s minds.

Act Now, Benefit Later

“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.”-
James 4:7, NIV

People know what should be done but only a few acts. It is a sin not to do something you
should be. Do you see unfair treatment with someone? Do something. Have you seen
people struggling from a disadvantaged life? Help them in your own ways. Everyone must be
aware of their duties and responsibilities as a human being and part of it is to act for good.
We are all stewards of God; He wants us to take care of the world as well all those who live
there. If everyone just open their eyes and not ignore what’s happening around them, more
people would act together as one. There’s no need to wait for the perfect time to act; we
could use any minute we have. By doing something, the victims of racism are not the only
ones to benefit but every human living in this world.

In summation, racism will never end as people continue to nourish resentment within them.
Love, instead of hate, is the one should be taken care of. It clears your mind, your heart,and
open yourself to other people. Love is not a difficult thing to do. You just have to learn how
to accept, listen, and help. Eliminate your insecurities. Set aside power. Cut the root of your
greed. There are many form of love you can show, what matters the most its authenticity. If
we all love each other, help one another towards the betterment, the world could’ve been
the best haven for everyone.

Let’s continue to love like God loves us all. Let’s continue to act in accordance to His will.