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Click on image to go to Author website. "THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT." Eccl. 9:11

Monday, 3 September 2018

How To Improve Race Relations

By Virginia King


It is almost impossible to discuss race with evoking negative emotions. This storm has led to broken relationships and inability to work in some circumstances. Violence and conflicts in different parts of the world have also been attributed to poor race relations. This leaves every individual and organization with the responsibility of building stronger bridges between different races. Here are ways to boost these relationships.

Engage in conversations about races and how to build bridges. As emotive as the issue is, there is possibility of people engaging in decent conversations. The people who are aggrieved will air their views on the areas that are oppressive. This creates awareness in those who are considered oppressors. With such understanding, workers and people engaged in such conversations will be more cautious when making remarks or treating people in certain ways.

Stop jokes that are stereotypical. It must be made clear that there is nothing funny about racism. Racist comments must be viewed as putting people down. The people who are aware of such negative treatments must take the lead and stop those who are out to perpetuate the vice. This should be done openly, especially by not entertaining their derogative language and insinuations.

Be introspective at individual level. Encourage other people to discern their words and actions before they get to the other people. Reflect on the impact certain words and actions will have on other people. By being in the shoes of other people, you understand the best way to treat them and avoid being offensive. Stories of tragedies and disasters that came out of racist comments and actions should be shared to drive the point home.

Openly criticize and disassociate with people and events that promote racism. This includes television or entertainment shows, leaders and events, among others. Follow through the principle to pass a message that such divisive activities should never be entertained. People must understand that you are in support of different races co-existing.

Create diversity in your work place. Diversifying the races of people working in an organization helps everyone to appreciate the contribution of the other without being confined to race bigotry. These people should be working in all levels in the organization. It sends a message that all races are capable of performing at whichever level. Some races will therefore not be considered inferior to others.

Persons who promote racism must be punished severely. The policy on racism must be included in company regulations and policies. Each worker and partner must be made aware that your organization does not entertain racism. Punishment should be meted on those caught perpetuating the vice. There is also need to protect majority of the people from reverse discrimination from minority. Racism will cease to be an issue if everyone is treated as an equal.

Evaluate situations and judge them on individual bases. Discuss the events candidly and when they are still fresh. Executives and management must spearhead the campaign to improve relationships between races. The relationships must be candid and genuine such that they appeal to both minority and majority in the network.




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