A future without racism is a utopian rapture that has been emancipated from the intolerance and stagnation of the present. It is a vast kingdom in which equality nourishes the earth and love is imprinted on the hearts and minds of all. It's colorful, warm and magnanimous. This realm is far from the divided and turbulent land we call home, for it is a place where everyone is protected. It is a place where true freedom exists. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essay Racism, by definition, is the belief that members of racial groups possess specific characteristics and abilities that can be considered as inferior or superior to another race. groups (Oxford Dictionary). This belief manifests itself in prejudice, discrimination and hatred. Typically, when one hears the word “racism,” a myriad of thoughts and images flood the mind. As a South African, the first thing that comes to mind is Apartheid, and from there we remember those grainy, photocopied images from textbooks and low-quality video clips from documentaries. viewed in class. There is of course the "Net Blankes" bench, the old South African flag, Hendrik Verwoerd, the word "Bantu", the protest action, Hector Peterson, the Sharpeville massacre and a young Nelson Mandela, for n 'to name just a few. And, as one of the world's 7.6 billion people, when we hear the word "racism", we might think of: the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide, the slave trade and the genocide Australian Aborigines, to name just a few. Currently, racism is rampant across the globe and news reports of police brutality against African Americans and racist slurs uttered by South Africans have dominated all forms of media, among other atrocities. However, this is not new since, since the dawn of time, the subordination and degradation of human beings have developed in the quest for domination. What upsets racism is its true capacity to take many forms, etched in history, active today and predicted in the future. But despite the many forms racism takes, there is one symptom – I believe – that needs to be addressed. For years, we've been grappling with the effects of white privilege on things like access to higher institutions for people of color, the debasement of derogatory names and comments, and the legacy of segregation on our economic development. We marched, we argued, and it’s safe to say that progress has been made. However, we are far from finished, because there is another element that we tend to forget. Very often, the underbelly of racism, in its subtle omnipresence, still exists and continues to ferment where we least expect it. Our schools, our homes, our circles of friends and ourselves. Apartheid – in its legislation – is over, but its deep-rooted effects remain and multiply. The chained psyche remains and evolves through our conversations, interactions, and decisions. This is why when we hear broken English and thick accents among communities of color, we think “unintelligent,” “slow.” This is why when we see a man of a darker shade, we hold our bags tighter and avoid eye contact. This is why you feel inadequate and isolated in a room where you are the only person of color. This is why you watch an interracial couple a little longer and.