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In 2017, 54 percent of the Dutch population stated that there is more discrimination now than there was 20 years ago, as reported by the Social and Cultural Planning Office. What can we do to combat racism? By Ans Hekkenberg
How not to discriminate? Tip 1 Learn what racism is
GLENN ADAMS cultural psycho logist at the Uni versity of Kansas (US) is an expert on racism percep tion. He provides three tips.
‘White people notice racism less quickly because they are not exposed to it. It is not always unwil lingness, it is also a lack of informa tion,’ says Adams. ‘Furthermore, dif ferent groups experience racism in different ways. White people often see racism as a personal problem: it is a matter of some individuals’ pre judices, ‘a few bad apples’. Minority groups sooner acknowledge that racism is a structural problem. It is
not just personal, it concerns unequal treatment that stems from the way in which various institutions in society, for example the education and legal systems, work.’
‘We all have implicit prejudices’
Tip 2 Become involved with more diverse social networks
‘We all have implicit prejudices,’ says Adams. ‘For example, many people associate the word ‘professional’ more with white people than with people whose skin is darker. For tunately, prejudices can be repro grammed, by searching for a social network with more diversity. Go outside your usual social circles. Look for other cultures. Make friends – not on your terms, but precisely on someone else’s. By having positive experiences, you combat prejudices.’ Tip 3 Read and learn
WESTEND61 / ZELJKO DANGUBIC/HH
‘Many people of European descent are only familiar with European and American literature and his tory-writing. That limits your per spective of the world. By reading more from a non-Western perspec tive, you get a better idea of how Europe and the United States achieved their prosperity. Schools still often present this as a glorious historical account, but it was accom panied by violence and colonization. Do not pretend it was not. By studying history from a different perspective, you not only under stand more about other cultures, but also more about your own position in the world.’
special diversity matters | New Scientist | 29
