In the corridors of human history, the haunting spectre of racism has cast its long, dark shadow, perpetuating a narrative of inequality, injustice, and collective pain. As we stand at the crossroads of progress and reflection, it becomes imperative to confront the harsh realities that continue to shape our world. Racism, with its insidious roots, burrowed deep within societal structures, is not a mere historical artifact; it is a relentless force that echoes in the lives of individuals, communities, and nations alike.
To understand racism, we first have to define a few common types of racism persistent within our communities, social groups, and even within ourselves.
At its core, Racism is more than individual prejudice; it involves a power dynamic where one group holds more influence than another. Without this power differential, racism reduces to mere prejudice, carrying fewer consequences.
Systemic or structural racism operates on three interconnected pillars: history, culture, and institutions/policies. Historical racism forms the foundation upon which contemporary racist structures are built. Culture perpetuates and normalizes racism in our daily lives, while institutions and policies reinforce discriminatory practices, making dismantling these structures challenging.
Interpersonal racism occurs at the individual level, manifesting when personal beliefs translate into discriminatory actions against others. Institutional racism, on the other hand, takes root within and between institutions, involving discriminatory policies and inequitable opportunities perpetuated by societal structures.
Internalized racism occurs when individuals from marginalized communities internalize racist beliefs to the extent that they begin to perceive themselves as inferior. This can lead to interracial hostility or the acceptance of Eurocentric ideals and values.
Oppression involves the use of power to dominate others or the refusal to challenge such domination by those in positions of power.
Racial trauma encompasses the traumatization resulting from experiencing racism, which can occur through cumulative experiences, including daily microaggressions or subtle acts of discrimination. Understanding these concepts provides a foundation for addressing the pervasive and deeply rooted issue of racism in our societies.
The manifestation of racism in the everyday lives of adolescents has enduring effects, potentially impacting their well-being and opportunities throughout their lives. Encountering racism undermines their sense of self-worth, belonging, and perceptions of society, leading to emotional struggles, hindrances in academic achievement, and constraining future aspirations.
Racism in Mental Health and its relevant services
The study that was published in the British Medical Journal Mental Health was financed by the Applied Research Collaboration – North Thames of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It was shown that incidents of racial discrimination happen in in-patient hospitals and have an impact on both personnel and patients, creating an unsafe atmosphere and a lack of psychological and cultural safety.
People from racialized groups are known to be disproportionately represented in mental health programs, especially those that involve incarceration under the Mental Health Act. Furthermore, rather than receiving psychosocial support, these patients usually receive more forceful care and medicine. Academic studies on this subject are still scarce, nevertheless.
It was discovered that several study participants had reported:
Strained communication and power imbalances shaped a process of mutual racialization by patients and staff.
An absence of safe spaces to discuss racialization silenced and isolated patients.
Not reporting racialization and discrimination made patients feel ‘othered’, misunderstood, disempowered and fearful.
This perpetuated racialization prevented authentic feedback from patients and disrupted the formation of trusting therapeutic relationships.
Depression is the most commonly reported ailment among BIPOC. Moreover, BIPOCs who have experienced racial trauma are more likely to meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Notably, racism significantly affects a person’s stress-related physical and mental health. Stressful situations trigger the release of stress hormones, and research has shown that BIPOC children and adults may find it difficult to encounter and see racial prejudice. Regular exposure to these stress chemicals may lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and other mental and physical illnesses, as well as poor overall health outcomes. Discrimination typically occurs on a regular basis, which causes people who are subjected to it to have a chronically high level of stress and stress hormones.
School Life
Racial discrimination within educational institutions hinders the normal social development of young individuals. Those subjected to racism often feel stereotyped and stripped of their unique identities. This experience forces them into a distressing process of questioning their sense of self and belonging. Under these circumstances, academic pursuits may become of secondary importance for these individuals.
The bewildering and harmful emotions stemming from racism manifest in various signs indicating the students’ difficulties. Teachers may observe absenteeism, academic underachievement, high dropout rates, and engagement in self-destructive behaviours like substance abuse. In an attempt to find belonging and validation, some students may turn to gangs as a way to counteract a sense of powerlessness. Tragically, in Aboriginal communities, the consequences of racism are evident in elevated suicide rates among young people.
Especially at the secondary level, teachers may recognize students in their schools exhibiting reactions of resentment, betrayal, and fear toward the staff. Other challenging students may display disinterest in learning, further isolating themselves. These indicators may be attributed, in part, to the absence of positive cultural references in their surroundings. Consequently, these young individuals fail to see themselves reflected positively in their school and social environments.
Social Effects
Racism profoundly affects children’s social relationships, leading to difficulties in forming connections due to peer rejection and bullying, fostering distrust in both peers and authority figures, and causing conflicts in cultural identity. Discriminatory experiences often result in isolation, hindering social development and exacerbating feelings of alienation and inferiority. Addressing these challenges necessitates fostering inclusive environments, promoting empathy and cultural understanding, implementing anti-bullying measures, and providing support services to mitigate the negative impact and facilitate healthy social integration.
Emotional Well-being
Racism detrimentally impacts children’s emotional well-being by subjecting them to chronic stress, leading to difficulties in regulating emotions and increased vulnerability to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. The constant exposure to discrimination creates a pervasive sense of insecurity and fear, contributing to emotional instability. Children may exhibit behavioral problems such as aggression or withdrawal as coping mechanisms. These emotional challenges can persist into adulthood, affecting their overall mental health and well-being. Addressing the emotional toll of racism requires providing safe spaces for children to express their feelings, offering mental health support services, and implementing strategies to counteract the negative effects of discrimination on their emotional development.
Perception of Society
Experiencing racism at a young age shapes children’s perception of society, often fostering feelings of distrust towards authority figures and institutions, as well as a sense of injustice and disillusionment. Children may internalize discriminatory experiences as indicative of broader societal norms, leading to a diminished sense of belonging and acceptance. This perception can have far-reaching consequences, influencing their engagement with societal structures and their willingness to participate in civic activities. Moreover, the realization of systemic inequities may instigate feelings of powerlessness and resentment, exacerbating social divisions. Addressing these perceptions requires promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability within institutions, fostering a sense of empowerment and agency among children, and actively challenging discriminatory practices to rebuild trust in societal institutions.
Long Term Consequences
The social effects of racism on children can have enduring repercussions well into adulthood. Traumatic experiences during childhood may contribute to lifelong struggles with mental health, relationships, and socio-economic opportunities. The emotional scars left by racism can undermine confidence and self-esteem, hindering personal and professional development. Moreover, systemic barriers perpetuated by racial discrimination may limit access to education, employment, and healthcare, perpetuating cycles of inequality. Addressing these long-term consequences requires comprehensive interventions aimed at dismantling systemic racism, providing access to equitable opportunities, and promoting mental health support services to mitigate the enduring impact of childhood trauma on individuals’ life trajectories.
Addressing the social effects of racism on children necessitates a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of individual experiences with broader societal structures. Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of society is fundamental to creating environments where all children can thrive regardless of their racial or ethnic background. This involves implementing policies and practices that foster cultural understanding, celebrate diversity, and ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources. Additionally, providing support and resources for affected children and families is essential in mitigating the negative impact of racism on their well-being. This includes offering mental health services, counselling, and community-based support networks to help children cope with the emotional toll of discrimination and develop resilience. Moreover, actively challenging discriminatory attitudes and behaviours at both individual and systemic levels is crucial in creating a more just and equitable society. This entails promoting anti-racist education, fostering empathy and understanding, and advocating for systemic change to dismantle institutionalized racism and address disparities in access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. By adopting a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of racism and its social consequences, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society where every child has the opportunity to thrive and fulfill their potential.