Impact of Racism on Society and Culture in Wolverhampton

This study explores the impact of racism on society and culture in Wolverhampton, focusing on specific cases and their consequences. It also discusses legislations and strategies for promoting diversity and protecting against racism.

To understand ways in which racism can increase knowledge and helps in
understanding about contemporary society.
Racist society used to treat or differentiate people because of their skin
colour, they speak a different language or have different religious beliefs etc. Also,
when people in society behaves differently to another person based on their colour,
skin or culture (Williams, Lawrence and Davis, 2019). For developing better
understanding of social norms it can be seen that some people are victims of race
due to their looks; their appearance may be different, or they may speak a different
language. Some people wear certain types of clothing because of their religion and
may get harassed because of this. Systemic racism in certain societies is also
reoffered to as international racism; which occurs on a greater platform (Timothy,
2018). It is present in political and societal organizations. It describes when racism
becomes so ingrained, it is seen as ‘normal (Tate and Page, 2018).
Earlier than 1965 racism was not illegal in Britain and people from Africa and
Asia were bought by the government to England as labour. However, on arrival they
faced racism and discrimination (Reid, Cormack and Paine, 2019). Racism became
implanted into the nation's structures of power, culture, education and identity.
Racism in the United Kingdom is deeply linked to its relationship with its previous
colonies and citizens that included the British Empire, many of whom settled in Great
Britain, particularly following World War II (Hudson, 2017). Racism was moderated
by the attitudes and rules of the British class system, in which during the 19th
century, race mattered far less than social distinction. The term is also applied to
political, economic, or legal institutions and systems that engages in spreading

discrimination based on race. Many believe that race is determined by biology, it is
now widely accepted that this classification system was in fact created for social and
political reasons.
In the year of 1919, there were significant number of racist attacks on
'coloured' communities in different areas of UK. One of the most well-known racist
attacks (1993) was murder of Stephen Lawrence a black teenager. Furthermore,
when Germany was defeated in World War I, anti-Semitism was successfully
exploited by the Nazi Party, and it detained power in 1933 and applied policies of
systematic discrimination, persecution, and eventual mass murder of Jews in
Germany and in the territories occupied by the country during World War II. Those
who openly declared or practiced racism stated that members of low-status races
should be limited to low-status jobs and that members of the leading race should
have exclusive access to political power, economic resources, high-status jobs etc.
In the 18th century, racism was at the heart of North American slavery and the
colonization activities of western Europeans. The idea of race in society was created
to expand the differences between people of European origin and those of African
descent whose families had been involuntarily caged and transported to the
Americans. By characterizing Africans and their African American descendants as
lesser human beings, the advocates of slavery attempted to justify and maintain the
system of exploitation.
Racism affects both intentional and unintentional social concepts, as it has
crucial impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Racism
also affect school, work, system. Racism is part of structures and systems that we
live in. Racism has impacted society directly. For instance; health and physical
violence, this can cause negative psychological and physiological effects. For

example, ethnic differences in socioeconomic status can indirectly result in
differential access to care, while health providers use ethnic bias to influence the
quality and outcomes of healthcare interactions.
Racism also influences social/political life and individual choice. In, 1965 the
Race Relation Act banned racial discrimination in public places and initiated to erase
hatred of the grounds for (colour, race, or ethnic or national origins) an offence. This
act came into force on the 08th December 1965. Lastly, in 1968 the Race Relations
Act, made it unlawful acts of discrimination within employment and housing.
From the above study it has been summarized that racism has several
negative impacts on the society. Racism has contributed to our understanding of
contemporary society by knowing data about numbers of racist attacks on coloured
communities in different areas of the UK. These data helped out in knowing the
extent to which racism affect people in all physical and mental manner. It has also
summarized that racism increases the gap between the rich and the poor. Further it
has discussed that racism act that came into force in 1965 banned racial
discrimination at public places and it protected people against race discrimination.
This act also helped companies in promoting diversity and equality within business.

REFERENCE
Mason, Peter (2008). Learie Constantine. Oxford: Signal Books Limited. ISBN 978-1-
904955-42-9.
Essed, Philomena. 1991. Understanding Everyday Racism. Newbury Park, CA:
Sage Publications.
Feagin, Joe R. 2006. Systemic Racism: A Theory of Oppression. New York, NY:
Routledge.Lavalette M, Penketh, L, (2013) Race, Racism and Social Work:
Contemporary issues and debates Policy Press
Wilkens VA, (2012) The life of Stephen Lawrence , Penguin Random House, UK
Jenkinson, Jacqueline (2009). Black 1919: Riots, Racism and Resistance in
Imperial Britain. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press. ISBN 978-1-846312-00-7.
Williams, D.R., Lawrence, J.A. and Davis, B.A., 2019. Racism and health: evidence and
needed research. Annual review of public health. 40. pp.105-125.
Timothy, R., 2018. Racism impacts your health. The Conversation.
Reid, P., Cormack, D. and Paine, S.J., 2019. Colonial histories, racism and health—The
experience of Māori and Indigenous peoples. Public health. 172. pp.119-124.
Hudson, D.J., 2017. On “diversity” as anti-racism in library and information studies: A
critique. Journal of Critical Library and Information Studies. 1(1).
Tate, S.A. and Page, D., 2018. Whiteliness and institutional racism: Hiding behind (un)
conscious bias. Ethics and Education. 13(1). pp.141-155.

https://historicengland.org.uk/research/inclusive-heritage/another-england/a-brief-
history/racism-and-resistance/
Task 2
Title: To discuss legislations or strategies for promoting diversity and protecting
against racism.
INTRODUCTION: This study is going to show about racism as how cases
related to racism affected people in all manners. It will also discuss impact of racism
on culture of Wolverhampton and how people got affected. This study of racism and
cases related to Wolverhampton that is metropolitan borough administrative centre in
the West Midlands. It is famous for steel production coal mining and others. It will
discuss some cases of Josef Smith and Tarsem Singh Sandhu. It will also discuss
ways and legislations that can help in protecting people against racism or
discrimination. In regards to culture it can be said that it consists of behaviours
objects and beliefs of members of particular group that is known as society.
In this essay 3 case studies from Wolverhampton will be explored that have
impacted Wolverhampton’s society and culture (social and cultural life).
The three cases that are being chosen for this Task are; Josef Smith (DOB:
9/6/1979 ) is from Dudley, Tarsem Singh Sandhu fought for two years for the right to
wear his turban to work and police, All have notably made an impact on

Wolverhampton. It will examine and assess what impact the cases have had on
society.
Josef Smith (DOB: 9/6/1979 ) this is the case of a football fan who made
racist comments towards a black football player, after he had scored a goal and due
to this; he has been convicted of a hate crime. This racist comment took place at the
Wolverhampton Molineux stadium when the match was between Wolverhampton
Wanderers and Chelsea Football Club. Joseph Smith was seen outstretching his
arms to the side and curling his fists under his armpits by three witnesses after the
football player scored a goal. He was also was seen to have spat; from his seat in
the upper stand, When the police interviewed Smith, he denied any wrongdoing
although he admitted that he was frustrated that the Wolverhampton Wanderers
were losing the match. Joseph Smith was convicted at Dudley Magistrates’ Court
and sentenced, also a football banning order was issued for four years.
Basically, in this case there was a racist comment made via football fan to
team player, it was reported, and the decision was challenged. The person was
sentenced. “Sean Kyne of the CPS said, “There is no place for hate crime in football
and we will prosecute offenders who demonstrate hostility towards others based on
their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability”. Therefore, this
case shows that Wolverhampton Wanderers will not accept racist or hateful
behaviour they are not permitting it. This case sets the expected standard for
behaviours.
Tarsem Singh Sandhu date 1967 – 1969, fought for two years for the right to
wear his turban to work. This is a case of a Bus driver from Wolverhampton who
fought for his right to wear the Turban at work. Mr Sandhu arrived in the West

midlands in his early 20s and he said he did not see anyone with turban on. Soon,
after his arrival to midlands he was pinned down by his uncles who cut his hair
against will and said you would never get a job with a turban on. At that time
Wolverhampton was different and the racism, At the age of 23, he began working as
a bus driver with Wolverhampton Transport Committee which at the time employed
823 drivers, 411 of whom were Indian and all had signed the uniform policy,
agreeing to come to work clean shaven and wearing the uniform cap. None of them
wore a turban. In 1967 Mr Sandhu returned to work with a turban and beard. Mr
Sandhu decided he could not forget his religion for the sake of being a bus driver.
The previous bus driver, who still lives in Wolverhampton, humbly said his actions,
which went on to change legislation about religious expression at work etc, It showed
religion shouldn't take a back seat; as people realised they were here to stay, people
felt they no longer had to compromise on their identity." Mr Sandhu said I was
criticized via some community people stating that we have come to this country for
work and he is causing problems. He said he would burn himself to death. Mr Jolly
set a deadline of 30 April 1969 - the Sikh new year - for Wolverhampton Transport
Committee to lift the ban on turbans. The ban was lifted on 9 April 1969”. Mr Sandhu
stated that the city had changed drastically since he came.
Therefore, this case highlights that you should be persistent if you think
something is wrong and stand up and fight against any wrongdoings. As a result of
this case, many Sikhs, Muslims, and people of different faiths in this region of
Wolverhampton are permitted to wear religious items freely in conjunction with the
code and uniform policies.
CONCLUSION

It has been summarized from the above study that racism affect culture and
societies. It has also discussed some cases related to racism that created several
problems and affected the whole society. Further it has shown some legislations and
ways by which people can protect themselves against discrimination and can seek
for equal rights as like others.