How Racism Affects Society : Seema Vijayi
There is nothing wrong seeing the color. It’s how you treat the color that’s important.
Seema Vijayi have very closely witnessed discrimination in her life being of Indian origin but she has spent a very crucial years in United States. Seema Vijayi says that racism is all about the feeling that one secure in the heart of an individual person at the moment of a particular act. Seema Vijayi further adds that Racism comes up with a very strong and dark history which is very difficult to avoid.

Seema Vijayi says that these unjust racial stereotypes have been deep rooted in the hearts of people from a very long time. These rigid emotions is the vital cause that they react to people differently, by differently Seema Vijayi means any attitude or behaviour that believe someone is inferior because of their skin colour or race. It can be in any form from jokes and comments to high level systematic discrimination, from harassment at school and college to accessing services or taking part in employment, from physical abuse and violence to exclude people through policies, conditions or practices that disadvantage certain groups.
Seema Vijayi describes racial discrimination as the treatment of certain people in a less favourable compared to others people in a same situation because of the reason that they belong to a particular caste, race, color, immigrants, or even nationality. Many times the discrimination takes face of violence or destruction of property. People smashing the windows, throwing stones or out of control mob. Seema Vijyai further classifies the Racism into two categories namely ‘direct discrimination’ and ‘indirect discrimination’. Seema Vijayi explains ‘direct discrimination as when particular sections of people are refused to play along or even to sit next to them. Sometimes the discrimination takes place through a rule or policy that is the same for everyone except for a particular section of people depending on their race, colour, religion or origin. This is called ‘indirect discrimination’.
Seema Vijayi mentions that Racism is complex, and has an individual aspect of belief without any kind of basis. But even worse is the reality that generations of racist attitudes are now woven into our systems and institutions like poisonous threads, hurting us all. Racism is more than just words, beliefs and actions. It includes all the barriers that prevent people from enjoying dignity and equality because of their race. Seema Vijayi through various examples put light as on what ways Racial discrimination takes place such as exclude them from social groups, make fun of their clothes, food or appearance, write graffiti or use derogatory language directed against their family or cultural group, make assumptions about their abilities based on their cultural background, do not respond to complaints of racism, force them to take part in activities that go against their cultural or religious beliefs or do not allow them to speak their birth language etc.
Seema Vijayi explains as to why racism is a problem, racism causes damage to those who are on the receiving end mentally and emotionally. It hurts individuals, communities and our society at large. In many Studies it is found that people who experience racism have profound effects on people’s health and welfare. The effects can exaggerate the feelings of sadness and anger, even anxiety and depression. The regular experience of racism can hamper people living their normal life, they may withdraw from work or study, and lower down their aspect of living life. It can also hurt people’s freedom and degrade their dignity. Those who face racism can be made to feel that they have less freedom as compared to other people.
Seema Vijayi further says that it is difficult to talk to people who have a different mindset about racism especially if you feel strongly about their beliefs. Seema Vijayi concludes by saying that Standing up to racism is not easy, but it is the correct thing to do. For avoiding an argument is to never address someone as a racist. If you say this, the person will automatically become defensive and will not listen to anything else what you say. It is a better option to approach the situation as calmly as you can. Instead of this, you should tell them that you disagree with what they have said, and explain why. You should only criticize the comment, not the person. This may also help the person to understand that the victims are people, too.
