Everyday Racism: Definition and Examples in Muslim Culture

What is everyday racism? In racism definition essay an author reflects on this in relation to his own experience and/or opinion. Everyday racism is a phenomenon of smaller and bigger day-to-day violations of the rights and priorities of ethic majorities, and also of the violation of their dignity and humanity. 

The idea of everyday racism started in the 1980s and was practically relevant to the then experiences of racial expression. Everyday racism does not only entail racists but also the practices by racists, bringing the sense that racism is a common behavior in the society. Everyday racism can be easily identified in extreme forms, for example, white people beating up dark-skinned people, or in overt ways such as throwing objects like water bottles on players of color on football fields. Also, everyday racism can be deduced from a teacher asking a student of color: “How come you have good handwriting?” It can also be witnessed in institutional practices where friends of friends are appointed for a position and consequently the entire workplace consisting of just whites. Everyday racism is also witnessed in cafeterias or canteens where lunch tables are informally allocated to whites.

Everyday racism brings the sense that members or the dominant race automatically favor members of their own race, because they not only want to be with their ‘own’ members, but also due to the belief that white lives matter more, that they are more human, and that their culture is more superior than other cultures. It is incorrect, therefore, to conclude that everyday racism is just a white versus black phenomenon. When dominated races internalize the belief that their cultures are more superior, they may themselves become everyday racism agents. 

I am Muslim, and on a personal experience, I know plenty regarding the experience of being racially profiled with a name that constantly raises suspicion by law enforcement authorities amongst other individuals in the society.

The most recent experience I learnt about is of a 9th grader, Ahmed Mohammed, in Texas, who was taken in and interrogated by the law enforcement authorities in the absence of his Parents. It was a horrible experience for a Muslim child to be suspected of creating a bomb, when in the real sense, he was trying to seek approval from his engineering teacher to build a clock at home. It is so deeply ingrained in our culture to get the teacher’s approval so that they can think positively of you. I can only imagine how painful it was for him to watch his teacher change the situation into deep suspicion, and consequently the irresponsible administrators reporting the same to the police. Obviously, his arrest and interrogation brought a lot of trauma to him.  

Upon reading Ahmed’s story from the media, it reminded me of myself when I was a child, as well as many of my cousins, nephews, nieces and friends, who we are all children of immigrant Muslims from Lebanon. It reminds me of the constant advice that we were always given by our parents, that we should focus on out studies, and never be distracted by everyday racism, and that we should not make any excuses no matter how our humanity or dignity was degraded. Our parents always reminded us to be thankful that we are in Australia and that they let us into the country more so in the sense that we have an opportunity that we didn’t have in Lebanon. We were always reminded not to cause any trouble or bring any unnecessary attention to ourselves, and that we should not get involved in politics or talk about controversial matters such as religion.

As many Muslims in Australia, it has been really challenging to avoid the reality of being a Muslim. In Australia, the racist nature has been in existence for a long time, in relation to indigenous individuals, most recently toward Muslims. There is a massive conception that Muslims are always perpetrators of terrorism, and this has changed our experience in the country, going from a largely unknown group to a known community with massive suspicions surrounding us. Growing up in a country that accepts to profile Muslims, stereotype, vilify, and criminalize us as terrorists is quite challenging.

To sum up, for Muslims, now is a time of turmoil. Sometimes, It’s difficult for me personally not to despair. Many of us wondering, why is this happening to us? How could this happen when we’ve done nothing wrong? How can we be facing so much discrimination in the very country founded on ‘freedom’, ‘liberty’ and justice for all? I am of the opinion that such type of everyday racism should not be directed towards Muslims but this is the reality every day I have to live in.

References

• Bonilla-Silva, E. (2006). Racism without racists: Color-blind racism and the persistence of racial inequality in the United States. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
• Essed, P. (2008). Everyday racism. A companion to racial and ethnic studies, 202-216.