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 not and
reconsiderations that are recycled 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 differences 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 cultures and races 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 to 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,
discriminating, and underestimating another God's child. As it should be, fair economic
opportunities should be given to them. When the benefactors of racism ask forgiveness for
their acts resulting in decades of financial benefits is nothing as you see him return to his
mansion and sleep unbothered at all. It is foolish 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 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 of 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 nothing. Hence, reconciliation is better when there are
economic opportunities beside it. If not, it would just be a blind gesture. The way forward is
to have a reconciliation that gives accessible economic opportunities and privileges.

Racists Make You Look Like A Fool

Love conquers us all, they say. It's 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 getting fooled by 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 develop 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 with almost every problem that our world has. Yes, it undeniably helps us
gain a 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 positions 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 communication
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 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 to talk about it, it won't take a rest even
for a minute. The call to end the pervasiveness of racism has arrived long before but still
doesn't succeed in its mission. In the previous chapter, we've discussed the false solutions
for racism. Now, we've come farther as we find out what are the true solutions that would
help to end the story of racism.

 Recognize your 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 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 to understand that aside from your race, various aspects
can affect the level of your privileges such as your socioeconomic status, gender, religion,
language, nationality, and more. Before using your collective privileges to empower and
uplift others, you must be fully aware of the 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 in racism? Self-assessment of your own biases can help you reconstruct nasty
thoughts and actions into rightful one. By examining yourself, you put yourself on 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 harsh past experiences and being insensitive to what they may feel won't help you
address the main issue. You have to 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 an idea of how and why racism continues 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
justify racism and must be discarded. The problem with racism is its unjust ways of treating
people of color. We should be aware of 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
on their part, it is otherwise on the person or group being discriminated against. If you are
not that comfortable enough to confront them, you can ask questions and weaken their
thought process. Neglecting any form of 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 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 have no power over your teacher?

You would probably be in some situations where you know what is right but don'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 can help in eliminating
barriers among people. If you are a working individual, 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 include all people in the
world. See them as someone equal to 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. 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 the 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 for 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 a 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 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 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 as all those who
live there. If everyone just opens their eyes and does 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 that 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 forms of love you can show, what matters the most is
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 with His will.