20/04/2022
We Can Not Learn From Each Other (In Current Social Structure)
by: Frankie Lee Graham Jr., MA
During a Ted Talk, Rita Pierson made many excellent points that can go back to the roots of racial prejudice being taught and the long-term impact on the mindset of individuals being raised by those with racism being justified and acceptable. Pierson (2013) stated, “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.” Reflecting on that quote and the topic for this learning paper being racial prejudice, it is not difficult to conclude that racial issues will continue to exist as long as people are unwilling to learn and listen to people they dislike because of their ethnicity. If people are reluctant to learn and listen to those they oppose, the pleas for help with economic and social rights will continue to be ignored as it makes individuals uncomfortable. The uncomfortable feeling racist individuals feel when engaging with social issues in the United States of America is cognitive dissonance. According to Cherry (2020), “the term cognitive dissonance is used to describe the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. People seek consistency in their attitudes and perceptions, so this conflict causes feelings of unease or discomfort...This inconsistency between what people believe and how they behave motivates people to engage in actions that will help minimize feelings of discomfort. People attempt to relieve this tension in different ways, such as rejecting, explaining away, or avoiding new information.”
Racial prejudice is a mental illness conditioned in people by using their limited experiences and ignorance of others different from themselves. People with racial prejudice are easily manipulated by fears linked to their cognitive dissonance of reality. This false reality is more frequently taught than created when individuals have a few harmful incidents with people they consider different from themselves. Some bad experiences with people they think are different from themselves make a traumatic stress disorder fear anyone belonging or looking similar to the person they consider a perpetrator. However, when racial prejudice is taught and practiced, it is often in self-interest or to maintain a status quo they believe to be rational and justified. The practice or tendency of racial prejudice in the United States of America can not be stopped because it is systemic. People are encouraged by the American White Supremacy views accepted by the society in fear of various racial theories such as “the replacement theory.”
According to the Mayo Clinic (2019), mental health disorders can affect mood, thinking, and behavior. When mental illness is long-term, frequent stress and the ability to function normally impact a person’s daily life, such as at work, school, or in relationships. Mental illness signs and symptoms can vary depending on the disorder, circumstances, and other factors. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Of the fourteen symptoms of mental illness listed on Mayo clinic’s website, half of the symptoms listed can be observed in individuals with racist perspectives. People with the mental condition of racism tend to have the following symptoms:
“Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt”
“Extreme mood changes of highs and lows”
“Withdrawal from friends and activities”
“Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia, or hallucinations”
“Inability to cope with daily problems or stress”
“Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people”
“Excessive anger, hostility, or violence”
However, racial prejudice is more frequently recognized as a social bias. The University of Florida’s Counseling & Wellness Center (n.d.) states, “social bias can be positive and negative and refers to being in favor or against individuals or groups based on their social identities (e.g., race, gender, etc.).” In addition, the University of Florida’s Counseling & Wellness Center (n.d.) mentioned that “biases are often based on stereotypes and prejudices that are systemically maintained. When individuals act on their biases, this is considered discrimination. Members of certain social groups (e.g., women, Muslims, transgender people) are more likely to experience discrimination due to living in a society that does not adequately promote equity.”
In conclusion, racial prejudice is a mental illness that is part of American society and its culture because cognitive dissonance and social bias being taught and encouraged since the beginning of the United States of America’s history. Often the practice and tendency have been rationalized and justified using religion and fears of ignorant individuals with limited or no experiences with people different from themselves. In reality, the false perspective racism often falls into is part of manipulating and gaslighting possible attacks and danger from various racist theories and ideas such as “replacement theory.” In ending, writing this assignment has given another perspective of why American Whites are extremely angered when the topic of “Critical Race Theory.” American White individuals must be ashamed and feel guilty about the racist history of America. Therefore, they do not want people to learn and talk about it. As previously mentioned in the symptoms of mental illness, one of the signs said by Mayo Clinic (2019) is “extreme feelings of guilt.” Until American society can be honest and address racial and social issues, racial prejudice and discrimination will continue. As a person of color, a portion of American society will not listen or learn from me because they were taught to hate and dislike me because of my skin color. To dislike others simply because of their skin color shows that many Americans are mentally immature and insecure children that will never learn.
References:
Pierson, R. (2013). Every Kid Needs a Champion. Ted Talks - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFnMTHhKdkw.
Cherry, K. (2020). What Is Cognitive Dissonance? Verywellmind - Cognitive Psychology. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognitive-dissonance-2795012.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Mental illness. Mayo Clinic - Diseases & Conditions. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968.
The University of Florida Counseling & Wellness Center. (n.d.) What is Social Bias? Module 1.4 - What is Social Bias? https://counseling.ufl.edu/resources/bam/module1-4/.
The Official Website for UF Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC)
