Dealing with Discrimination

this article is not to complain, or pout, but to help those who are still struglling with any type o racism or discrimination to get some healing.

several reports and surveys have highlighted countries and areas where racial discrimination and inequity are particularly prevalent, based on government actions, social biases, and the experiences of marginalized groups. 

Examples of systemic and social racism around the world

• Iran: Ranked as one of the worst countries for racial equity in 2024, Iran faces widespread discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities such as the Kurdish, Baluchi, and Ahwazi Arab communities. These groups face significant barriers to employment and education and are disproportionately subjected to severe penalties, including the death penalty.

• Belarus: Reports in 2023 indicated pervasive governmental and societal discrimination against ethnic minorities, including the Romani, Polish, and Lithuanian populations. The Romani community, in particular, faces frequent harassment and arbitrary detentions from law enforcement, with no specific legal protections in place to prevent ethnic violence.

• Bahrain: Systemic discrimination exists against Bahrain's Shia Muslim majority and other ethnic and racial minorities. The country lacks specific legal protections against ethnic discrimination, and Shia Muslims face restrictions on employment, political representation, and public services.

• Myanmar: Ethnic minorities, especially Rohingya Muslims, face extreme social marginalization and economic hardship. Barriers to citizenship severely limit access to public services, and violence against minorities intensified following a 2021 military coup.

• South Korea: Despite a high overall global ranking, South Korea struggles with racial equity. A 2023 U.S. State Department report noted that immigrants and minority groups often encounter systemic barriers, such as restrictive work permits. Anti-immigrant sentiment and religious discrimination, particularly targeting the Muslim community, also occur.

• India: A 2013 survey found that a significant percentage of Indians expressed discomfort living near neighbors of a different race. The survey also revealed widespread colorism and discrimination against darker-skinned Indians.

• European countries: A 2023 survey from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) found that people of African descent experienced increasing racism across Europe between 2016 and 2022. The report noted that Black people faced particularly high levels of discrimination in Austria and Germany.

• United States: While less severe than in some other countries, systemic discrimination persists in the U.S. A 2023 survey found that a high percentage of Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults reported experiencing racial discrimination in the past year. 

Challenges in measuring racism

Measuring racism is difficult due to several factors:

• Data collection limitations: Data often relies on personal surveys, which can be influenced by cultural norms and whether racism is openly acknowledged.

• Variability of experiences: Racism can take many forms, including individual prejudice, institutional policies, and societal biases, making a direct comparison between different regions challenging.

• Focus on discrimination: Many studies focus on levels of discrimination rather than the attitudes of individuals, reflecting how systemic issues impact marginalized communities. 

Racism exists within all ethnic and racial groups, including among Latinos, and is a complex issue shaped by national origin, skin color, and individual experiences. 

Key factors regarding racism and Latino communities:

• Colorism: Anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism exists in Latin America, where lighter skin is often favored. Pew Research surveys show that Latinos with darker skin are more likely to report discrimination or unfair treatment from other Latinos.

• National origin: Studies have found variations in attitudes and experiences of discrimination among Latino subgroups, though results are not always consistent. Some media commentary has focused on instances of racism within specific communities, such as anti-Central American sentiment among some Cuban Americans.

• Denial of racism: Some Latinos deny the existence of prejudice within their communities based on a "mestizaje" or mixed-race ideology, which suggests that because people are racially mixed, they are incapable of being racist.

• Internal discrimination: Latinos experience discrimination from both non-Latinos and from other Latinos. A 2022 Pew Research study found that about one-third of Latinos reported unfair treatment by a non-Hispanic person, while a similar proportion reported it from another Latino.

• Involvement in far-right movements: While a small minority, some Latinos have joined white supremacist and other far-right groups. For instance, individuals of Cuban-American or Mexican-American descent have gained notoriety as leaders or members of such movements, demonstrating that racism can be found across the political spectrum. 

Now That you know the most racist groups in history, and the Summary of Racism in Latin Communities. Now its Time to Heal. Sometimes, just talking about or reading something can help. The worst thing we can do is always hod everything inside, especially for long periods of time.

So here is your self-help group...more to come. We all have dealt with it in some form or another.

Racism has profound and devastating effects on individuals and communities, impacting their physical and mental health, economic well-being, and social standing. The damage is caused by both overt, interpersonal racism and more subtle, pervasive systemic racism. 

Effects on health

Research overwhelmingly links experiences of racism to severe and chronic health problems. 

• Mental and emotional distress: Experiencing racial discrimination and prejudice is a significant source of trauma, stress, and anxiety. This can lead to or worsen conditions such as depression, low self-esteem, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For some, this stress becomes chronic, eroding their mental health over time.

• Physical health problems: The chronic stress from racism leads to lasting physical effects. The body's "fight-or-flight" response is triggered repeatedly, leading to hormonal imbalances and inflammation. This increases the risk of developing long-term conditions, including:

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)

  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Kidney disease

  • Substance abuse disorders

• Negative birth outcomes: Studies show that mothers who report experiencing racism are more likely to have babies with low birth weights, which can cause health issues for infants later in life.

• Health inequality: Systemic racism within healthcare systems contributes to health disparities. For example, some studies have found evidence that racial bias can result in undertreated pain for Black patients and that Black people are more likely to have higher rates of hypertension than other groups. Also Mixed people as well. Many times if they have something wrong, their problems will be ignored and they even might be referred to a psychiatrist for emotional or mental health problems, when in fact, its physical.

Economic and social effects

Racism creates and reinforces social and economic inequalities by denying people access to opportunities and resources based on their race. 

• Economic disadvantage: Structural and institutional racism manifest in practices such as unfair lending policies, discrimination in hiring ( meaning not letting people from certain groups get jobs, even if they are qualified) and promotions, and wage gaps. This leads to chronic financial strain and limits upward mobility for targeted groups.

• Educational disparities: Systemic racism can lead to unequal funding for schools and bias in educational settings. It can result in lower graduation rates for minority students and fewer opportunities, which then affects future economic prospects.

• Residential segregation: Racist housing practices and stereotypes can create segregated neighborhoods with worse living conditions and fewer resources. This concentrates poverty and limits access to better schools and job opportunities.

• Criminal justice injustice: The criminal justice system is another area where systemic racism is evident. It can lead to biased policing and sentencing, and over-incarceration of minority youth. 

Intergenerational and community effects

The damage caused by racism can extend beyond individuals and affect entire communities and future generations. 

The best way to deal with it is to talk about it with people you trust and speak out to the right authorities when you observe it happening. Also support others who are voicing their struggles with this , and dont deny their claims as fake.

Also To deal with racism, prioritize your mental well-being by connecting with supportive people, limiting overwhelming media, and seeking therapy if you experience racial trauma. Act against it by speaking up when appropriate, reporting incidents, and supporting anti-racist efforts. Educate yourself and others by seeking diverse information and engaging in open, fact-based conversations about race.  

For Yourself

• Acknowledge the trauma:

  Recognize that experiencing racism can be a source of chronic stress and trauma. 

• Connect with your community:

  Find trusted family, friends, or affinity groups who can provide understanding and support. 

• Limit media exposure:

  Take breaks from the news and social media to manage the emotional toll of constant negative information. 

• Seek professional help:

  Consider therapy with a racial trauma-informed therapist who can help you process feelings and develop coping strategies. 

• Practice self-care:

  Engage in activities that help you feel calm and recharged to maintain your mental and physical health. 

• Reinforce positive identity:

  Affirm your strengths and pride in your identity to combat negative impacts. 

When You Experience Racism

• Talk about it:

  Find trusted individuals to discuss what happened and express your feelings. 

• Respond strategically:

  If you choose to confront the person, start with facts to make them think about their actions and avoid escalating the situation unnecessarily. 

• Document incidents:

  Keep records of racist encounters, especially in professional settings, to protect your rights. 

• Report it:

  If it's a crime or a violation of workplace or online community guidelines, use available reporting mechanisms. 

• Know your rights:

  Understand your rights as a victim and the available reporting routes depending on the nature of the incident. 

When You Witness Racism

• Speak up: Clearly state that the behavior is unacceptable. 

• Support the target: Check in with the person being targeted to offer your support. 

• Provide information: Share accurate information and facts about the situation to empower others. 

• Report the incident: Use official channels to report hate speech or harassment. 

When You Want to be an Ally (for people with privilege)

• Be anti-racist:

  Understand that being anti-racist means actively working to dismantle racist systems, not just avoiding racism. 

• Listen and learn:

  Seek out diverse perspectives and information to understand the realities of racism. 

• Engage in conversations:

  Talk about race with your family and friends to help change attitudes. 

• Support anti-racist efforts:

  Participate in events and organizations working to combat racial injustice.

OKAY NOW LET THE HEALING BEGIN!

You can also take steps to make sure you take care of yourself, and make some time for you.

PHYSICAL HEALING CAN also increase levels of mental emotional healing from any kind of trauma

• Eat healthy

• Exercise Regularly

• Try stretching and Yoga

• Listen to relaxing meditation music for at least 15-20 minutes every day

• Use aromatherpay oils, such as lavender, eucalyptus, vanilla and franksense, among others to help you feel a more positive mood with out even trying

• Do you hair in your favorite style

• Take a hot shower or bath

• Spend time doing something you love to do

• Get rest take naps when you can

• Some days dress up when you dont even have to

• Talk to and/or spend time with people you love

• Read the Bible

Peace.

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Sources. Google, 2025. NALP, 2025., Oregon.gov, INAR., 2025.