Racism Should Not Be Up For Political Debate

OpenClipart-Vectors | Pixabay

I had a planned post to put up about my fears and experiences with racial prejudice and discrimination. However, considering the recent events that have taken place, I don't want to detract from the Black Lives Matter movement that is unfortunately taking place currently. So, I will save that for a later date and this post will take a different turn and repost something that you may have already seen on my social media.

You will always hear that you shouldn't bring your political views into your professional workspace. However, issues regarding racial, ethnic, and gender inequalities and injustice shouldn't even be up for political debate. 

It's quite shocking that we are in 2020 and still fighting against such issues in our societies. What if we discriminated each other based on eye colour? What if people with brown eyes are superior? They are treated with greater respect, they don't have to prove their worth, they don't have to convince others that they shouldn't be afraid of them; prove that they have rightfully earned their citizenship, or are even able to get better education... All on the basis that they have brown eyes.

Does that not sound completely foolish to you? I agree. 

If this sound familiar, you may recall an exercise/ experiment which Jane Elliott (an anti-racism activist and educator) introduced into her third grade (UK equivalent of Year 4) classroom (full documentary linked here and a short version here for you to watch). All it took was this very nuanced division and a couple of labels (i.e.: brown/ blue eyed people are smarter and troublemakers) to spread prejudice and discrimination among these children. They become so engrossed in the 'fact that their eye colour defined their identity and status. This is despite these children very clearly speaking against racial inequality at this very start of their class. 

If you think that adults would act differently, think again. Take a lookat this short video. It is appalling that adults would even use something so nuanced as eye colour to justify being "better' than or the value of another human being. I would highly urge you to take a look at these experiments conducted by Elliott and share them with anyone you know.

If there is one thing I have learned in social psychology it is that no matter how much you want to deny it, you have biases against people based on these overly generalised labels, whether that be based on race, gender, someone's looks, height, health status, whether they have tattoos, etc. Whether you believe in them or not, they are implicitly ingrained in us solely based on the way that certain groups of people are presented in our society. 

That may not be your fault at all. However, if there's one thing we can all do is acknowledge and speak up against them. Challenge the generalised way that the media present groups of people which only facilitate these biases. Challenge the way that you family, friends, colleagues, and peers speak about others. It should not be an issue that's up for discussion, but it is, and we all have a job to speak against it. 

I don't have a very big public platform, but I have one and I am going to use it. You should to even if it only reaches a few people. Use not to prove that you are not racist, but to truly acknowledge that prejudice and discrimination exists and build conversations. If this is something you can't do, have open conversations with those around you. 

Melany Rochester | Unsplash

You may not be able to fully understand the extent of it, but anything you do to attempt to educate yourself or stand with those who have to face the cruel acts of violence and continuous belittlement that we continue to see every single day will be appreciated.

I have no words to describe how wrong it is that this is something we still have to talk about.  Anti-black discrimination and similar brutal (as well as detrimental, non-explicit) acts of racism in all countries is not just a part of history books, it's a part of reality. Think about this: What much has changed? Why hasn’t it changed?

If you find yourself saying, “It’s too uncomfortable”, consider how it feels to have to fear experiencing it day and in day out. 

No one should have to fear going out and being attacked because of their race.

Resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Can You Guess What I Am?

Hello! It feels like forever since I've posted on here. I hope everyone is keeping well.

I will get back on the blog posts on here once my exams are over and I have nothing else to do. However, I did get a blog post up over at OurWarwick titled 'The Debate: Arts vs. Science', so I will hypelrink that for the meantime! I try and post weekly updates on my Instagram (@universitywithaimz). It's mainly random Psychology and Student-Related stuff but come and say hello if you want to! It's so lovely seeing what some of you other Psych students get up to and following your jounrneys!

Aaron Burden | Unsplash

Over the weekend, I wrote a poem in about 30 mins. I wrote down some random words to use as stimuli (anything that popped into my head), listened to a few songs on themes that I associated with those words, and this is what came out. Goodness knows when the last time I wrote a creative piece like this was, so don't be too harsh. I definitely didn't sit there and think about all those language devices you have to incorporate back in GCSE English Lang!

I can't believe I'm sharing this.
Anyways, here it is.


Before you read on, I am going to add a trigger warning here just in case because it is quite sad...



Can you guess what the overarching topic is before you get to the last stanza?

I’m a bully who keeps taunting you,

And who never leaves you alone.

My words are constantly stabbing you,

As others tell you to just strengthen your backbone.

I’m a full camera crew that follows you,

Everywhere you go.

Every single speech sound and move,

Everyone’s watching, you know?

I’m those who tell you that you can’t do this or that,

Despite all the mountains you have climbed,

Your efforts are simply not enough,

For everyone else is far better polished and primed.

I’ll make you feel like you’re drowning

Deeper and deeper into the sea.

You’re broken and bruised but you keep fighting,

Wondering if I will ever set you free.

You fight to keep on following

The little light that lies ahead,

But can that little light be trusted?

For it could lead you trapped in a shed.

Although I can’t always be seen,

I’m constant like a shadow.

Even when the lights are out, I’m there,

No matter how far into your covers you try to burrow.

You plea to have a break,

“Is that too much to ask?”

Don’t worry, you won’t make a fool of yourself,

I’m something you will learn how to mask.

I am overthinking.

I am the voices in your head.

But if I were a physical person,

By me, would you still be led?

Did you get it?

I have a much more light-hearted post coming up next. I might get it up before my exam week starts, but we will see (that's a hint to mean probably not).

If there are any posts that you would like to see, let me know!

As always, please take care,

via GIPHY