Racism is very real, and it’s very annoying. It’s isolating, and infuriating. As a black person, I’ve dealt with my fair share of racism. I don’t really hang around white people much, and it’s mostly as a result of my childhood experiences, combined with interactions that I’ve had as an early adult. I left North America knowing full-well how much harder it was to earn money overseas. I didn’t and don’t care. Racism wasn’t the only reason I left, but the interpersonal environment I had in North America was terrible enough that I don’t see myself going back. All that being said, the impact of racism can be mitigated. it’s all about taking a few simple steps and remaining proud and headstrong.
Join meritocratic industries and institutions
Whenever you’re competing, you want to make it impossible to deny you even if you’re one of the most hated people in the room. For most ethnic minorities, that means joining meritocratic institutions and industries. Blogging is meritocratic. Nobody knows I’m black, until they read this article. My articles are being judged based on their content and quality, not the color of my skin. If you don’t join meritocracies as an ethnic minority, you’re basically putting yourself on the back foot of a popularity contest. Not a good idea if you want your life to go at all smoothly.
Hang out with your own people
Humans are tribal creatures. In today’s age, we’ve grown tolerant. Some of us are also mesmerized by other cultures. There are lots of Japanese people who imitate black people, for example. I’ve seen lots of YouTube videos in which Japanese men were wearing dreadlocks and/or talking like black American gangsters. I find it interesting, albeit a bit strange. Gangster rap culture is nothing to be imitated. The same is true for the opposite, although it manifests itself in different ways. That being said, most people prefer being around their own and are taught to fear and hate other groups of people. If you want to avoid racism, hang out with your own people. It’s really that simple. When you’re around your own people, you’re comfortable with everyone and everyone is comfortable around you. Any problems that arise are strictly interpersonal and not race-related. This is true even when living in a country in which you’re the minority. I didn’t enjoy living in either country, but I loved my time in the USA over Canada. I didn’t have to see white people if I didn’t want to. Being around others of your own kind is also good for self-esteem. People who hang around other groups too much often hate themselves without knowing it. As someone who’s hung out with people of minority communities from across the world, it’s quite obvious when you see it.
Produce
People are able to be racist towards minorities because they’re poor. It’s pretty much that simple. If someone is poor, you can treat them like dirt. Things are getting better for the poor than they used to be, but in the past this was very true. You can tell poor people where to work, you can buy more stuff than them, you have more influence than them, and you have more free time than them. And that’s just if you’re middle class and have been working at something for a few years. Heck, if the difference in wealth between you and someone else is great enough, you can buy their whole world, basically. Their house or their place of business can easily be acquired if you’re wealthy enough. So, wherever you end up going, make sure you produce. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in a cycle of lounging around and resting on your Laurels. You want to produce and play a role in bettering the state of your people. Work hard. Become an outwardly respectable person who is successful in life.
In interpersonal situations, remain calm and protest
You want to embarrass racists. When most people are racist, they don’t really have their hearts in it. They’re usually upset or misguided. They’ll get embarrassed and turn into cowards when they’re backed into a corner. Call them out, but don’t waste too much time. You have a life to live, and the civil rights movement was long ago. It’s better to go to a space where you’re wanted and celebrated than it is to be fighting for your rights amongst people who hate you. Am I right?
Racism sucks, but it’s definitely something that you can cope with. It’s just about being mentally strong, knowing what to do, and having a plan for your life. Don’t waste time playing victim either. Everybody out there is racist, and most people aren’t racist enough to hate you. Most bad things aren’t racist. When you meet racism, you’ll know it. I’ve experienced ignorance from members of all racial groups. Only white people have ever taken the time out of their day to be racist towards me (although my friends can’t all say the same). Generally speaking, if you follow what I set out in this article, you’r
