Getting to Know One Another

by rbobbitt

           Racism takes many forms, constantly shifting in expression in order to brace against the ever widening borders of contact between foreign cultures and ethnicities. Race has once again taken the spotlight as the contest for the US presidential election hosts the first African American presidential candidate and the country collectively examines how much race plays a role in the mind of its citizens. Religious bigotry has also played a role as whisper campaigns spread word of Obama’s supposed Muslim faith in an effort to deter votes. Recently speaking out, former Secretary of State Colin Powell asked not that we stop confusing the faith of Obama, but that we ask ourselves why a Muslim could not be a viable candidate for the United State’s highest position. Why cannot young Muslim Americans dream of one day taking over the presidency? Do we still consider Muslims foreigners we must be suspicious of? Gordon Allport’s theory of Contact proposes that prejudices will decrease if groups have equal access to one another. Cooperation over competition will lead to more harmony among groups. As our world becomes increasingly globalized the need to better understand one another becomes vital. We are each other’s neighbor.

         Washington Post article

          Intergroup conflict resolution article