In my research, I found that the negative effects of racism start from within the individual, who is committing racism. In fact, these effects extend to more than just an individual, and disrupt the function of society. In the State of Research on Racial/Ethnic Discrimination in the Receipt of Health Care studies, the experiment concluded that “general experiences with racial/ethnic discrimination are associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes including higher mortality; lower use of cancer screening; elevated blood pressure; higher levels of C-reactive protein; substance use; mental and physical health including mood, anxiety, and psychiatric disorders; increased depressive symptoms; weight gain; high body mass index; and smoking.” From breeding hatred, individuals also breed health defects within themselves and others. Also, with racism at hand, our focus as a nation shifts from making amends and strengthening our morals to becoming backward and stuck in a fight we begin ourselves.
In the end, it comes down to one’s own values and how he or she views the melting pot in the United States. Being a Muslim for me means to be accepting and respectful to all races, for “no Arab is better than a non-Arab, and no non-Arab is better than an Arab.” It’s all based ones merit and character, rather than outside physical features like skin color. After researching and evaluating my results, I have decided to start local and go worldwide in advocating civil liberties and human rights for people of all races. To reach out to people like the young girl in my class who teased me for being “smart,” I aim to work more with people from different races and help clear up many misconceptions about each other through this process.
"Are You My Equal?" ... Continued Dar, Marium
"Work Together to Stop Racism and Combat It's Adverse Effects In Society!"