Strategies for Dealing with Racism and Discrimination in University

This essay addresses the pervasive issue of racism and discrimination, particularly as experienced by students in colleges and universities. It highlights that while overt acts of racism like violence and slurs exist, racism often manifests in more subtle forms such as exclusion, assumptions, and stereotyping. The essay emphasizes the importance of developing strategies to cope with these experiences, including seeking support from professors, mentors, friends, and ethnic resource centers. It also underscores the significance of empowerment, self-care (mental, spiritual, and physical health), and, when appropriate, challenging offensive statements or behaviors. The essay encourages individuals not to internalize racism and to report extreme cases of threats or violence. It concludes by emphasizing the need to challenge racist behavior and the importance of fostering a culture of respect and understanding to combat racism's learned nature. The essay draws on the work of several scholars, including Barling, Bonilla-Silva, DiAngelo, Galtung, Isaac, and Sue, to support its arguments.

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How to deal with experiencing Racism
People of color especially students in colleges and universities are still experiencing
racism and discrimination. Galtung & Dietrich (20) Stated that extreme racism is
demonstrated inform of violence, graffiti or slurs. However, it is typically presented in more
stable forms such as exclusion, assumptions and stereotyping. Racism and discrimination
usually make life very much difficult for people of color. According to DiAngelo (18), a
Racist can be explained as a person who feel threatened by culture or race which they don't
have enough information about. Unfortunately, instead of choosing to learn the diverse
culture of the said group of people they act negatively towards them. Therefore coming up
with strategies for how to handle yourself when experiencing racism is very important.
The major strategy of dealing with racism is getting support. Barling (105) Explains
that spending time with supportive professors, mentors, friends, and family is one significant
way in which one can release stress. However if one does not know where to start, it is better
for him to get connected with one ethnic resource centres. Sue (201) also explains that one is
encouraged to look for supportive counsellors can offer him support in private.
People experiencing racism need to get empowered. Galtung & Dietrich (130)
Explains that Getting empowered helps in reducing the feeling of being helpless and
depressed. It is also said to give frustration and anger a positive outlet. However, this might
appears different because people are different and they are also faced with different

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situations. According to Isaac (154), one can challenge an offensive statement from other
people by use of humour. On the other hand people of colour need get involved in activist
and political cause. Others need to engage in discussions groups to have their voices heard.
One also needs to ensure good self-care when dealing with the pressure of
experiencing racism and discrimination. DiAngelo (175) stated that it is possible for people to
lose track of things they need to take care of themselves. Students may become overwhelmed
trying to deal with these situations. They may in return use unhealthy ways to cope with the
situation. Some unhealthy ways in which students deal with these feeling of racism include
isolating themselves and abusing drugs and alcohol. According to Isaac (58) taking good care
of your mental, spiritual and physical health will make one well equipped to cope with the
stress that comes along with racism and discrimination. It will also make a person to be
empowered and make better choices amidst racism.
Barling (2015) Advice that When experiencing racism you don’t need to see yourself
as the problem. People are always encouraged to never see themselves as the reason as to
why they are going through racism. Otherwise, the person subjecting the other to racism is
always the one with issues within himself. Sue (69), Explains that one is never targeted
because of his race but because people hold a certain attitude towards that factor.
However, if you are subjected to racism in extreme ways that threaten your safety, it
is better for you to report the matter to the police or an adult. It is critical that at this stage you
open up to people this is according to Bonilla-Silva (250). On the other hand, if you are
facing any racial hostility and discrimination make sure that you are aware of your safety and
you do not respond to such kind of behaviour therefore you are just encouraged to walk
away. However, if you are in a position to speak to the racists, you can respond more
humorously or maturely to avoid conflict.

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One may also choose to speak to racists if he feels safe to do so. According to
Bonilla-Silva (51), you need only to challenge the behaviour and not accuse the person of
being a racist. Show them that their behaviour towards you causes stress and it is not good for
them to do so. Also, request someone who is an adult to be a mediator between you and the
racist. Sometimes mediation is usually scaring, but it has excellent outcomes in solving
problems.
In conclusion, racism is a hate crime. It is unacceptable to mistreat a person because
of your attitude towards their race, culture, nationality, and religion. However, it is
impossible to know the reason why people are racists. Racism can be thought as a learned
behavior. No one is born discriminating others based on their race, religion, and color
therefore we need to stop teaching the next generation racism.

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Work Cited
Barling, J K. The 'r' Word: Racism. , London: Biteback Publishing, 2015.Print.
Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. Racism Without Racists: Color-blind Racism and the Persistence of
Racial Inequality in the United States. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers,
2010. Print.
DiAngelo, Robin J. White Fragility: Why It's so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism.
, Boston: Beacon Press, 2018. Print.
Galtung, Johan, and Dietrich Fischer. Johan Galtung: Pioneer of Peace Research. Berlin:
Springer, 2013.google books search.Web.5th November 2018
http://www.worldcat.org/title/johan-galtung-pioneer-of-peace-research/oclc/
1005752964
Isaac, Benjamin H. The Invention of Racism in Classical Antiquity. , Princeton, New Jersey
2004. Google books search. Web. 5th November 2018
http://www.worldcat.org/title/invention-of-racism-in-classical-antiquity/oclc/
1029799329
Sue, Derald W. Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation.
Hoboken, N.J: Wiley, 2010.google books search. Web. 5th November 2018
http://www.worldcat.org/title/microaggressions-in-everyday-life-race-gender-and-sexual-
orientation/oclc/607554989