By not even recognizing the black population as human beings, society instills long-term psychological effects on a person. Racism creates feelings of inferiority, destroys self-identity and harms mental health. Studies on discrimination and mental health indicate the effects of “depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychological disorders” (Ruma 35). Othello's deterioration from a rational, peaceful, and calm man to an irrational, violent, and impulsive man was driven by color prejudice and racism. Negative images associated with the color black have lasting effects on victims' self-esteem. It is imperative that racism be minimized in society to prevent further innocent lives from being destroyed physically, mentally and emotionally by racism, as the lives of Othello, Desdemona, Emilia and Roderigo bear testimony to this fact. The psychological effects of racism are not temporary; they have affected the lives of the black population in the past and continue to do so today. The injustice of racism is a widespread problem, as forms of racism have taken different forms depending on the changing times, but the long-term psychological effects of racism are painful and