The Causes of Racism

Racism, defined as prejudice or discrimination aimed at an individual of another race or a whole race in general, has brought much depression and hate in our society. You would think that an attitude that is this “primitive” would be gone by now, but no – it is still around, taking many different forms, still in the mind of some people.

What causes this hurtful attitude to form within a person? 

• Ignorance. Ignorance is being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed. Racism stems from ignorance because the person just doesn’t know that what he or she is doing is wrong, probably because the people around him or even the whole society that he grew up in has such an attitude. Ignorance drives racism to be a habit, not just a one-time act.
• Fear of loss and displacement. When some people encounter people of another race, they become afraid that these people would take over their jobs, territory, status, and even personality. They are threatened that they would be replaced, and so they attack the other person of another race as they believe that doing so help them stay where they are.
• Lack of self-love and the need to feel superior. The most racist people are those that do not have love for themselves, continuously enveloped by negativity. They pass on their negative feelings to those of other races, which makes them feel superior because they ridicule and insult others based on what they feel they can do better or what others do worse.

Unfortunately, these causes are still prevalent in society. Racism feeds on them and continues to live – though not as outspoken as times past, but certainly no less hurtful or vicious.

“Sister Josephine” by Joanna Traynor is an award-winning story of a strong young woman that is challenged by racism every day of her life – a black girl fostered by a white family, living in a society where she is the only black person. She doesn't know her birth family and doesn't meet anyone else who is black until well into her teenage years. She is neglected but resilient and goes onto become a nurse - a profession that comes with pressure that is difficult for her to bear.

This book, originally published by Bloomsbury, won the Saga Prize in 1997. The Saga Prize was organized by Marsha Hunt, to raise the profile of black British writers. Marsha Hunt's daughter by Mick Jagger lived in England at the time and Marsha realized there were very few books written by black British writers to give to her to read, so she set up a literary competition to find new writers. Joanna Traynor won the second Saga Prize offered and was published by Liz Calder, then the Director of Bloomsbury Publishing.

"Sister Josephine" is current available in Kindle format at Amazon.com. Click on the link to preview the book or download your own copy.

Strength in the Face of Adversity

Strength is very hard to maintain in the face of adversity. It is even harder to find it once it’s lost.

Adversity comes in many forms – be it physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, or social. It is hard to keep your strength through one kind of adversity, and even harder still when all these forms come together. 

Whatever adversity you are facing, there are ways to make sure that you stay strong through them.

• Keep your eyes on your goal. Adversity is one huge distraction. Difficult, but still just a distraction. “Keep your eyes on the prize,” as the saying goes, and it’s not just a cute rhyme. If your goal is something that you really want to happen, then you would draw strength from that fact. You would take on whatever challenges are thrown your way to make sure that your goal is achieved.
• Seek support from your loved ones. Support from your loved ones, both friends and family, will give you that extra push to stay strong. If you are alone in adversity, it would be very easy to just give up. However, if there are people supporting you, it would be very tough to tell them that you’ve let them down.
• Believe in yourself. This is probably the most important thing that you can do. Adversity comes and goes, as does in every person’s life. This is what defines people – how they handle the toughest times that are sent their way. If you continue to believe in yourself, if you continue to work hard, and if you continue to keep your eyes on your goal as you receive support from your loved ones, your strength in the face of adversity will never waver.

“Storm Clouds Rolling In” by Ginny Dye is a story of a woman whose strength is tested in the face of adversity – and in this historical fiction novel, adversity comes in the form of the Civil War.

“Storm Clouds Rolling In” is currently available in Kindle format at Amazon.com. Click on the link to preview the book or download your own copy.