Racism continues to be a major problem throughout the world. It divides continents, countries and even villages over race, religion or just skin color. Despite laws and International intervention, racism is still very much a problem today in many countries. This list looks at the 10 most racist countries in the world.
As a whole, racism is bad for society, but gets even worse when it manifests into slavery, segregation, genocide and war. Obviously any war or event where lives are taken is the pinnacle of racism, but it starts with basic discrimination that is not typically tied to quality of life or even region of the world. This is a widespread problem that continues to be a work in progress.
Two countries that just missed the list are United Kingdom and Australia. The British don’t like anyone coming from India living in their world. They also show spite toward the neighboring French as well as other Asian and Western countries. In Britain, race becomes political with parties attempting to draw lines on which immigrants should be welcomed in their country. In recent years Australia has created stricter laws to dampen discrimination; however, there continues to be hate against “outsiders”, specifically Indians who are often targeted and find themselves the victim of hate crimes.
Racism is degrading and wrong, a lot of what is referred to as “radical” racism has been abolished; however, there are many countries where racism still prevails. Here’s a list of those countries.
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10 United States of America
Despite being called the land of the free the US is full of racism in just about every pocket of the country. Hate breeding from the color of someone's skin brings crime and discrimination throughout, especially in the southern and Midwest states where racism is a common part of life. A large portion of racism in the US is black vs. white, but also Asians and even Native Americans are often treated unfairly. This builds a lot of tension that has seenriots, staged (and un-staged) protests and conflicts with law enforcement, often resulting in assault, arrest and sometimes even death.
9 Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a very rich and powerful country due to their oil resources. The problem is how they use their power by exploiting their neighboring (not as rich)countries such as India and Pakistan. Saudi Arabia will use people from these developing countries for jobs that pay little and offer poor conditions. On top of that they are not treated well, are forced to live in conditions not suited for mankind. In addition to the labor issues, Saudi Arabia also shows racist tendencies against other Arab countries, refusing to allow others into their country, or treating them poorly if they seek refuge.
8 Rwanda
In 1994, two ethnic races, the Tutsi and Hutu tribes were in a conflict that eventually escalated into the death of over 800,000 people in Rwanda. It was the Hutu tribe that carried out what was essentially an execution of the Tutsi population. The elimination of so many people was a low point for the country and for human kind in general. The genocide is still fresh in the region and for good reason tension continues to exist. At any moment the hate these two sides have for each other could once again explode and lead to the deaths of many more.
7 Russia
The Russian government and people have seen a lot of change over the past 30 years so it’s really no surprise that in some cases racism has become part of this change. Essentially, the people of Russia don’t like anyone who is not Russian. The list includes Asians, Caucasians, Chinese and again, really anyone that is not ethnically Russian. The hate and discrimination is felt in both rural and urban parts of the country. The government continues to try and curb this behavior, but racism still thrives in Russia which already has a rich past of racism related conflict and hate.
6 Pakistan
For ages, the Shia and Sunni sects have hated each other and been at war. There doesn’t appear to be an end in sight. Pakistan is also always at war with India (another conflict that has seemingly gone on forever will little to nothing done about it), leading to much racism between the two countries. That’s apparently not enough as Africans and other countries have had instances of discrimination against them by both the Pakistani people and government. Conflict, and the racism that comes from it, is very political in Pakistan and is watched closely internationally.
5 South Africa
Nelson Mandela and the Anti-Apartheid movement made racism illegal in South Africa; however, you don’t have to look far to see it is still very much part of the South African culture and daily life. Racism is so prevalent here that pricing for goods and services are dependent on your race and the color of your skin. Groups that promote racist violence are now arrested, but it still hasn’t stopped the constant discrimination in this country. Mandela put in the legal framework to make South Africa better, but change doesn’t happen overnight, South Africa is an example of a place that needstime in order to change.
4 Japan
Even though Japan is a first world country with laws against racism they continue to discriminate against most anyone who is not a Japanese native. Japan is 98 percent native people and the government does not typically allow people from other countries to come and live in their country. This is especially the case with Muslims who are rarely allowed into Japan because the government believes the two cultures have “compatibility” issues. That’s blatant racism that the government refers to as “positive discrimination.” There is nothing positive when you are knowingly keeping “outsiders” from entering your country. Clearly this is negative and clearly the government doesn’t care.
3 Israel
Where to start with Israel? It feels like the hatred directed at Israel and then back toward others started before humankind. The conflicts between the Israelis, Israeli Arabs and Palestinians are an open-ended war that bubbles up constantly resulting in violence and death. After World War II, the Jews were given a new state and anyone who was living there became refugees. This has been the latest reason of a long list of reasons for conflict and dislike between these groups. The United Nations and other countries have attempted to work out peaceful endings, but all cease fires have been temporary. This constant war breeds not only hatred, but discrimination is extensive.
2 Germany
Given their history, it may be a while before all the hate is wiped out of Germany. Hitler may have left long ago, but Germany remains a racist country where some Germans still feel they are superior to everyone else. Oh, and then there are the Neo-Nazis. Both the United Nations and German government are working hard to stop the Neo-Nazi groups that continue to preach anti-Semitic messages, but they have not been successful in removing the group in its entirety. If that’s not enough (and it should be), German political parties have even been accused offacilitating Neo-Nazi propaganda. Germany is the perfect example of what happens when you have a leader that breeds hate in his country. Hopefully someday the feeling of a “superior race” will be replaced by more welcoming arms.
1 India
Racism in India is pretty straight forward which makes it even worse than these other examples. A child is taught early on in Indian culture that people with white skin are superior to people with dark skin, hence, the hatred toward Africans and other countries with dark skin. What’s surprising is how India doesn’t really acknowledge this attitude; instead, insisting they live in a culture rich in diversity that doesn’t discriminate. In addition to this clearly racist viewpoint, there is xenophobia, a division between the Hindus and Muslims as well as people from the regions of Marathi Manoos and Biharis.
Sources: washingtonpost.com, listovative.com
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David Grant (88 Articles Published)
David S. Grant is the author of several books including "Blood: The New Red." He writes about pop culture and humor, he is also a degenerate gambler (which he also writes about). You can reach David on Twitter @david_s_grant and his website www.pulpscribbler.com. David lives and works in New York City.
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