Malik BrownProf. BrussinITA 14/30/1029Meaning of racism and its effects There is no doubt that racism is talked about more today than many years ago. However, there seems to be a decline in the use of the word in its proper context, and many often forget the effect it has on the people it is directed at. What is racism and the meaning behind it? Does it affect the people it is projected towards? According to Webster's Dictionary, racism is the belief that members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. We all have our opinions when it comes to issues of racial discrimination, whether you were born with the intent of it or not, and how it affects others. Within this essay you will find an analysis of the meaning of racism, the different forms it takes and the way it affects the people it is projected towards. This article seeks to discuss racism from the perspective and experience of a Black/African American. When asked what racism means, people often give an example rather than a definition. People have experienced this time and time again and when an answer is given it turns out that, at that moment, you must have known the true definition behind the word. We cannot discuss the topic of racism without paying attention to the debate over the use of the word race. Early racial anthropologists such as Carleston Coon state that there are 4 main races: Caucasian, Mongoloid, Negroid, and Australoid. Conversely, some might say that there is only one race: the human race. In 1950 UNESCO conducted a major debate on the use of the term race which led the United Nations to use the term ethnic groups instead of ... middle of paper ... do indeed influence others when projected, no matter the context in which it is used but actually has an effect on the individual or group. If humans took the time to think about what would be said before speaking, the rate of racial discrimination would actually go down. Much racial discrimination is projected as a sign of hate and with hate comes aggression, when aggression is a factor in any situation people intend to put up a barrier because they feel like they are being threatened. As mentioned before, no one is born racist but becomes one based on how and where they are socialized. Therefore, in most cases, if parents or very close family members are racist, it is very likely that these beliefs will be passed on consciously or unconsciously to their children. There is no doubt that racism is talked about more today than many years ago.