Featured Religion, Racial Harmony and Racism

Over the twentieth century humanity increasingly moved towards greater levels of international cooperation. Associated with this change was the need for the diverse peoples of the world to work together towards common goals. There were several outstanding examples where humanity was reaching for real, lasting peace, although always falling short.

First was the establishment of the League of Nations, an organization intended by its founders to secure peace at an international level. It was the means by which, for the first time in history, a system of collective security was seriously envisaged, discussed and enacted. Ultimately the peace agreement that concluded the first war world war was fatally flawed, and the League was not able to prevent the second World War,

WWII has been judged by many historians to be the deadliest conflict in human history. After this period of unprecedented horrors finally concluded, the United Nations Organization was formed along with a system of international economic institutions being established. Historic advances were made relating to human rights and international law. Many territories under colonial rule became independent nations, and arrangements for regional cooperation proliferated greatly.

The post-war decades, however, were characterized by an atmosphere of simmering tensions and often open hostility between the world’s two major power blocs. Known familiarly as the Cold War, it spilled over into actual wars in various regions of the world, and brought humanity perilously close to a conflict involving nuclear weapons. Its peaceful termination, towards the end of the twentieth century, was an occasion for relief, giving rise to explicit calls for the establishment of a new global order. Efforts to put in place new systems for international cooperation and to strengthen existing ones received great impetus, as a series of world conferences on themes of importance to humanity’s future were convened by the United Nations. New opportunities for consensus emerged, and the spirit of collaboration propelling progress found expression in certain international institutions charged with administering justice.

These various advances, despite their many limitations and imperfections and the horrifying conflicts that continued to unfold during this time, stood as signs of a widespread rise in global consciousness on the part of the earth’s peoples and their embracing universal justice, solidarity, collaboration, compassion, and equality.

Amidst the tumult of the twentieth century and the profound and far reaching changes, there have been formidable barriers to progress. Chief amongst them as racism and nationalism. Both appear to be on the rise again as the forces which would divide humanity rather than unite gain ascendancy.

It is racism I wish to address in this thread. To what extent has racism become a barrier towards lasting peace between people? If you feel racism remains a significant issue, to what extent has your religion or worldview brought peoples of all races together as brothers and sisters? Are you able to acknowledge times where you world view has fallen far from these ideals and instead fuelled division and promoted racism?

(Acknowledgement - Some of my text has been adapted from a letter from the head of my faith, the Universal House of Justice - 18 January 2019 – To the Bahá’ís of the World | Bahá’í Reference Library)

 

I agree discrimination based on sexual orientation is a significant issue but its not the specific topic I'm focusing on for the purposes of this thread.

 

I agree humans have made incredible progress in regards racism. However, talk to anyone who is an ethnic minority and it will be clear there is much progress yet to be made.

I don't know what part of the world you live in. I live in a country in the South Pacific called New Zealand. When a white supremacist shot dead 51 Muslims gathered peacefully for worship in their Mosques a few months back, it was clear racism remains a significant issue. Then our indigeneous peoples, the Maori said "What's new!?".

 

They make up about 16% of our countries population. Over the last few months I've started working in a medical centre owned and run by a local iwi (tribe). They are wanting to improve access to high quality healthcare for Maori and Pacific Islanders. Currently New Zealanders of European descent will see their GP about twice as often as Maori. Yet Maori feature poorly in health statistics and have a life expectancy significantly less than other New Zealanders.

 

I'm a genral practitioner, so currently work in a couple of medical centres. One is based in a low socioeconomic suburb with a population of about 3,000 people. A lot of time its just me and the receptionist.

I've done my time working in hospitals and have always preferred working in the community rather than large institutions.

 

Thanks for your thoughtful post.

I like the phrase, think globally, act locally. The first place for any change is with ourselves first but then community and governmental institutions have an essential role to play too. I think it comes down to moving beyond our comfort zone and building connections with those who are very different from ourselves. I don't see it as being abstract at all as I think of some of my closest friends who are from diverse racial backgrounds. Creating a medical centre that consciously works at reducing barriers to healthcare is very practical. Once we are able to take concrete steps to overcome barriers in our communities, the discussion about extending our learning to international relationships becomes much easier IMHO.

 

Before working in general practice I worked in psychiatry for quite a few years. I really enjoy all areas of medicine and what I do is very dependant of secondary and tertiary health services when my patients need to see a specialist. People who gravitate towards medicine are from diverse backgrounds. Its about finding a niche that suits our personalities and skill set.