Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination is unfair treatment based on a person's race (physical characteristics like skin color) or ethnicity (cultural background, language, and traditions). The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), adopted in 1965, defines it as any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on race.

Racial discrimination can be direct or indirect: * Direct discrimination: Openly treating someone unfairly because of their race. * Indirect discrimination: A rule or policy that seems fair but disadvantages a particular racial group.

• •Direct discrimination involves overt acts of prejudice.
• •Indirect discrimination often involves seemingly neutral policies with discriminatory effects.

The Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, caste, sex, or place of birth under Article 15. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law. The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 provides penalties for preventing a person from accessing public places or services.

Increased awareness of racial discrimination is due to: * The Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. * Ongoing debates about systemic racism in various countries. * Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in workplaces and educational institutions.

• •The Black Lives Matter movement highlighted instances of racial injustice.
• •Systemic racism debates have brought attention to ingrained biases in institutions.
• •Diversity and inclusion initiatives aim to create more equitable environments.

Challenges include: * Systemic Racism: Ingrained biases within institutions and systems. * Implicit Bias: Unconscious prejudices that affect decision-making. * Enforcement Issues: Difficulties in effectively implementing and enforcing anti-discrimination laws. * Social Attitudes: Persistent prejudiced attitudes and beliefs within society.

• •Systemic racism requires addressing deeply rooted inequalities.
• •Implicit bias training can help raise awareness but may not eliminate unconscious prejudices.
• •Effective enforcement requires strong legal mechanisms and political will.
• •Changing social attitudes requires long-term education and awareness campaigns.

Affirmative action policies aim to address past discrimination and promote equal opportunities for underrepresented groups. Debates often revolve around: * Reverse Discrimination: Concerns that affirmative action can lead to unfair treatment of majority groups. * Effectiveness: Questions about whether affirmative action truly achieves its goals. * Meritocracy: Arguments that selection should be based solely on merit, without considering race or ethnicity.

• •Affirmative action seeks to level the playing field for historically disadvantaged groups.
• •Critics argue that merit should be the sole determinant in selection processes.
• •The effectiveness of affirmative action depends on its design and implementation.