RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION
RACISM: A SYSTEM OF IDEAS AND
BELIEFS

The belief in the superiority of one race over the others
and a hierarchial classification of racial groups.

The idea that this superiority and inferiority are of a
biological or bio-anthropoligical nature so it cannot be
modified.

The idea that collective biological inequalities are
reflected in social and cultural orders and that biological
superiority translates into a “superior civilization” which
itself indicates biological superiority.

A belief in the legitimacy of the domination of “inferior
races” by “superior ones”.

A belief that there are “pure”races which can “decline”
or degenerate” by getting mixed with others considered
more “inferior”.
RACIST IDEAS ARE VERY SUTIL…
So glad he
came out
white!
DISCRIMINATION: THE ACT OF
EXCLUDING

Is an unjustified negative or harmful action towards a
member of a group, simply because of his or her
membership in that group.

Discriminatory actions are often based on racist ideas of
the others who are different from one’s group.

There are many types of discrimination…

Which types do you know?
STEREOTYPE

Is a generalization about a group of people in which
identical characteristics are assigned to virtually all
members of the group, regardless of actual variation
among the members.

There are positive and negative stereotypes.
PREJUDICE

Is a hostile or negative attitude toward a distinguishable
group of people, based solely on their membership in
that group.

Prejudiced people direct their prejudice towards
members of the group as a whole, ignoring
distinguishing characteristics.
“ALL
colombians are
drug dealers”
STEREOTYPE
“¿Did you see the
woman with the
glasses?
They say she’s
colombian… she
most come from a
family of drug
dealers”
PREJUDICE
“They shouldn’t let
the woman with
the glasses into
the party…
she’s colombian”
DISCRIMINATION
“We are much
better than
colombians…”
RACISM
What do you see?
 Are there any stereotypes?
 Which ones are positive?
 And negative?
 How does it affect our relationship?

DISCUSSION
What’s the origin of the idea of “race”
 What does colonization has to do with the origin of
race?
 How is it that science developed a false idea?

TODAY CIENTIFIC FOUNDINGS SHOW US
DIFFERENT
According to the cientific perspective:
HUMAN RACES DO NOT EXIST
 There is only one human race, we all belong to the same
race
 The genetic difference between persons from any part
of the world is 0,01%


(Harold P. Freeman, General Hospital of Manhattan)
THEN WHY ARE WE SO DIFFERENT?
 According
to the scientific perspective whe have
adapted to environmental conditios.
 Heat, cold, solar radiation and the diet changed the
skin color, size and other superficial characteristics
of our body.
 But inside, our body functions the same way.
HOW DID IT HAPPENED?
LETS LOOK AT THE DNA ROUTE
Homo sapiens was born in the east of África 200,000
years ago.
 Around 10,000 homo sapiens left África 50,000 years
ago and expandid in the whole world.
 They reached Australia and Asia first.
 Then arrived in Europe (around 35 ,000 and 40, 000
years ago) and to America (15,000 to 30,000 years ago).

200,000 years is not enough time for
important genetic changes.
Most species need at least 1 million years
INTERESTING FACTS…
20,000 years ago, genes started clearing the
skin’s pigmentation.
 People in the highest latitudes in the north of the
hemispher needed to compensate the sun light
that they received to produce the vitamine D that
the human body needs.
 10,000 years ago, nobody had blue eyes.

CONCLUSION

Biologically there is only one human race.

But we are culturally diverse because in each place that
the humans settled, they developed their own ways to
communicate (language), their own worldview, their
own rules…

If there are no different races, then there aren’t
“superior” and “inferior” races.
 Then
why is there racim??
DECLARATION ON RACE AND RACIAL PREJUDICE
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF UNESCO IN 1982
ARTICLE 2.1 AND 2.3
 “Any theory which involves the claim that racial or ethnic
groups are inherently superior or inferior, thus implying
that some would be entitled to dominate or eliminate
others, presumed to be inferior, or which bases value
judgements on racial differentiation, has no scientific
foundation and is contrary to the moral and ethical
principles of humanity”.

Racial prejudice, historically linked with inequalities in
power, reinforced by economic and social differences
between individuals and groups, and still seeking today to
justify such inequalities, is totally without justification.
COLOR TODAY
What is the meaning of
white?
What is the meaning of
black?
IT GOES BEYOND BLACK AND WHITE…
LET’S ANALYZE…
How is it related to my life?
 Did I learned these ideas at home? At school?
 Can I find other examples related to my context?
 How does it apply to the situation of dominant/minority
groups in my country?
