The Absolute End of Racism

Lou York

• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781645446279
• eBook ISBN: 9781645446286
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Discrimination & Race Relations
• Index: Social Sciences

Racism is generally defined as a person of one race exhibiting superiority over a person of another race. The fallout of such behavior can range from disrespect to intimidation to outright violence. Why does this happen, and what would it take to prevent and stop racial incidents? In this observational analysis, York explores the array of issues that contribute to the problem, including failure to acknowledge the realities of racial employment and violence, failures in individual responsibilities, a lack of focus on our shared Americanism, and direct pot stirring for the purpose of political gain. The good news is that we can absolutely reverse elements of racism out of existence, particularly in view that politicism breeds far more hatred in twenty-first-century America than racism. So turn the book over, start reading, and take note of how you can individually make a difference.

Chapter 12

Individual Workbook to Combat Racism and Other Hatreds

I’m starting with the man in the mirror

I’m asking him to change his ways

And no message could have been any clearer

If you wanna make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself,

And make a change

Sung by Michael Jackson

Written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett

As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him

—Gandhi

The one thing you can change is yourself. Let’s look back at the types of behaviors we need to achieve and adapt for personal use if we are to set a tone for civility:

1-Self-Reliance	2-Attitude	3-Conformity	4-Privacy/Restraint
1.1 Show initiative.	2.1 Be patriotic.	3.1 MYOB	4.1 Keep your mouth shut.
1.2 Be self- supporting.	2.2 Assume the best.	3.2 Leave others alone.	4.2 Don’t go overboard.
1.3 Take responsibility.	2.3 Work hard.	3.3 Keep your hands off.	4.3 Keep privates private.
1.4 Take care of yourself.	2.4 Control habits.	3.4 Don’t break the rules.	4.4 Control your opinions.
1.5 Care for others.	2.5 Maintain neutrality.	3.5 Dress not to provoke.	4.5 Limit social media use.

Behavior protocols to deter hatred

You may or may not have an interest in thinking about how your behavior affects others and affects the course of racism and other hatreds. For those who want to form a discussion group or who want to pursue change personally, following are some sample ideas for achieving the intent of each of the categories of behavior above. There will be space under each area for adding other ideas that may be more powerful or appropriate to different individuals. We’re talking very low-level actions to help those who just don’t have a clue about how to change their life.

1 – Self-Reliance

1.1 Show Initiative.

1.1.1 Each morning, start by making your bed. This was the advice of Admiral William McRaven when he addressed the University of Texas at Austin class of 2014 on the lessons he learned from basic Navy SEAL training. This simple task, he said, means you will have accomplished the first task of the day, giving you a sense of pride and setting in motion the many other tasks to come. “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.…If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never do the big things right.”

1.1.2 Eat breakfast, both to fuel your health and to launch a pattern for your day.

1.1.3 Nothing to do? Read a book. Make a list of goals for the day, the week, the month, or the year. Research how to start a business. Take a walk. It’s good for your health and good to think through things. Walk your dog. Mow a lawn. Read a newspaper. Clean the house. Wash dishes. In other words, accomplish something, anything, on a daily basis.

1.1.4 If you have a job, think about ways to go above and beyond the basic requirements. Who are your customers, the boss, the public, or another section of the company? Come up with better ways to serve these customers. That also harkens back to the old saying “If you work for a man, in heaven’s name work for him” (Elbert Hubbard).

1.1.5 (Add your own ideas here.)

1.2 Be Self-Supporting.

1.2.1 Pay your own way in life. This is usually achieved by getting and keeping a paying job or else starting your own homegrown business.

1.2.2 Buy your own food, and prepare healthy meals for yourself to fuel continued self-support.

1.2.3 Don’t have children unless you can pay for them and care for them in the entirety, that is, cover their health, supervision, feeding, and care.

1.2.4 Pay your own rent or house payment, your own car payment, credit cards, and insurance. Avoid expenses that will deplete your ability to make these routine, required payments.

1.2.5 (Add your own ideas here.)

1.3 Take Responsibility.

1.3.1 Made a mistake? Step up to the plate and accept responsibility for correcting your error or making amends.

1.3.2 Have a job? Show up for work on time every day, and check all the boxes for job tasks and requirements you’re supposed to handle.

1.3.3 Accepting pay for a job? Then do it, and don’t waste your time or others’ time by socializing, shirking your duties, pleading ignorance, or putting in minimum effort.

1.3.4 Take ownership, take charge, and do the right thing, even when nobody’s looking or checking, in all you do.

1.3.5 Have a pet? Take care of it with regular feeding, watering, exercise, and attention.

1.3.6 Wear your seat belt. And then don’t text and drive and put your...

Table of contents

• Fundamental Premises about Racism in America
• Not Like Me
• General Sources of Racism, Emotions, Rabid Reactions, and Hatred
• Politics and the Divide
• What It Feels Like to be an American
• The Rationale:: Historical and Scientific Foundation for Change
• A Personal Platform to Combat Racism and Hatred
• The Process: Ideas for Change
• Visualizing Equality
• The Rollout
• Conclusion
• Individual Workbook to Combat Racism and Other Hatreds