Racism: definition, historie og personlige oplevelser

The definition of racism is when you act or treat an individual or a group of individuals different from others, because of their nationality or race. The most common form of racism in North America is the discrimination of African-Americans.

Racism developed during the brutal Atlantic slave trade, which lasted from the 16th to the 19th century, where blacks were shipped from West Africa and Central Africa to North and South America. An estimated 12 million Africans were shipped into the “New world”. They used Africans to work on coffee, sugar and cotton plantations. Blacks were also used as servants.

Many positive things happened later, which involved Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela and many others.

Martin Luther King had a significant influence in the U.S. history. He was an activist, clergyman and a leader. He fought for the civil rights and used non-violence to earn his goal. With his ability to reach people, his popularity grew and grew. He led several well-known marches; The March on Washington was one of them, where he delivered his famous speech “I have a dream”. He succeeded to end racial discrimination and racial segregation through civil disobedience. He was truly a remarkable man, a man of honor.