Against Discrimination: Psychology's long fight for human rights

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. ” “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth. — Genesis 11:4–9

In the myth of the Bible, God confused the language of all mankind and made them stop building the Tower of Babel by scattering them all over the world. The myth tells us that language differences can create divides, but humanity's strength is in unity. Even with barriers, we need to fight for equality and against discrimination. More diversity means more creativity — and that's how we push civilization forward. We should fight for equality and anti-discrimination for all mankind, so as to liberate more people, form a stronger creativity, and constantly refresh the new heights of human civilization.

Racism and Discrimination: Insights from Social Psychology

Psychology is assisting the awakening of all mankind, making a significant contribution to a more just and inclusive world.

The Psychological Impact of Racism

Racism, as highlighted in psychological research, has profound effects on mental health, often leading to increased anxiety, depression, and a weakened sense of self-worth. Studies in social psychology emphasize how discriminatory practices, both overt and covert, affect individuals' mental well-being and hinder societal cohesion.

Psychological Theories in Action: Addressing Racism

Social psychology offers a variety of frameworks that can help explain and combat racism.

Theories such as social identity theory suggest that people tend to favor their in-groups and discriminate against out-groups, often subconsciously.

This in-group favoritism can perpetuate systemic racism unless actively countered through education, exposure, and empathy-building strategies.

Furthermore, the contact hypothesis theory suggests that fostering interaction between diverse groups can help break down racial barriers and reduce prejudice.

United Humanity's Action Against Discrimination

Discrimination in all its forms, especially racial discrimination, remains a profound issue globally. Throughout history, various nations have contributed significantly to the fight against racism. Since its founding, the United States has had strong and serious racial discrimination. Although it has improved through various anti-racial discrimination movements such as the abolition movement, there is still very serious racial discrimination in the United States. At present, racial discrimination in the United States has expanded from the traditional white and black to the Americans and other ethnic groups in the world. Moreover, this discrimination is relatively hidden and hidden in all aspects of daily life and work. China's changes in anti-discrimination and other situations do not rely solely on industry organizations, but from government policies, diplomatic exchanges and other aspects from both internal and external aspects.

1. World Conference against Racism

The World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) is a series of international events organized by UNESCO to promote struggle against racism ideologies and behaviours. Five conferences have been held so far, in 1978, 1983, 2001, 2009 and 2021. Founded after World War II and the Holocaust as a dependent body of the United Nations, UNESCO started as soon as it was created to promote scientific studies concerning ethnic groups and their diffusion in public opinion to dispel pseudo-scientific rationalizations of racism. One of its first published works was The Race Question in 1950, signed by various internationally renowned scholars. Racism not only violates basic human rights but also acts as a significant barrier to equality, justice, and peace. Psychologists promotes the use of educational and psychological interventions to prevent and mitigate the effects of racism. This includes implementing human rights education, fostering empathy, and challenging racist ideologies from an early age. Furthermore, the theory of contact hypothesis in Social psychology posits that increased interactions between diverse groups under favorable conditions can reduce prejudice and promote understanding. This aligns with the WCAR’s call for international cooperation and intercultural dialogue.

2. China’s Efforts in Combating Racial Discrimination

The Chinese government has adopted a multi-faceted strategy to tackle racial discrimination, reflecting its dedication at various levels of governance and society:

  • Policy and Legal Frameworks: China's "National Human Rights Action Plan (2021-2025)" includes clear goals aimed at promoting racial equality. These include special protections for vulnerable groups and ensuring equal access to development outcomes for all ethnicities. Moreover, China has ratified and participates in international treaties, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

  • International Advocacy: China continues to advocate globally for the eradication of racism. It regularly calls on nations to address racial injustice and discrimination, playing a critical role in the United Nations by pushing for stronger measures against these systemic issues.

  • Social and Cultural Advocacy: A core part of China's approach is promoting dialogue between different races and cultures, encouraging respect and understanding. This fosters an inclusive social environment where diversity is celebrated, and racial prejudices are actively dismantled.

Chinese psychological organizations have made a series of efforts in opposing racial discrimination, which are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

  • Raising Public Awareness: Through public education and advocacy activities, they raise public awareness of mental health issues and reduce prejudice and discrimination against individuals with mental disorders. For example, the Representative of UNICEF in China, Xinyue Rui, emphasized the importance of breaking the silence around mental health issues and eliminating stigma, and initiated the #YouAreTrulyRemarkable# public welfare advocacy campaign, aimed at helping young people engage in dialogue about mental health and eliminate stigma.

  • Policy Advocacy: The Chinese government and relevant organizations actively participate in formulating and promoting the implementation of anti-discrimination policies. For instance, a report published in The Lancet mentioned that stigma and discrimination are more dreadful than mental illnesses themselves, and called on governments, international organizations, schools, employers, and others around the world to take immediate action to end the stigma and discrimination against individuals with mental health conditions and their families.

  • Providing Psychological Support and Assistance: Chinese psychological organizations provide psychological support and assistance to individuals affected by discrimination. For example, the Guizhou Dexin Care Service Center for Women and Children cooperates with the government to provide psychological assistance to left-behind children.

  • Education and Training: Through education and training programs, they raise public awareness of mental health and reduce discrimination. For example, Mind China promotes psychology and mental health through public account postings of psychology-related popular science, and periodically holds online knowledge-sharing sessions and lectures on the dynamics of the psychology industry.

  • Public Welfare Projects: They carry out public welfare projects to provide help to discriminated groups. For example, the Heilongjiang Feihe Charity Foundation donated 20 million yuan to provide public welfare treatment for postpartum depression patients; the China Women's Development Foundation launched the Liangshan Fire Psychological Assistance Project, launched a fundraising project on the Ant Financial Public Welfare Platform, and carried out emergency case psychological intervention in collaboration with the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

  • Legal and Rights Protection: They promote the formulation and implementation of laws to protect the rights and interests of discriminated groups. For example, the Mental Health Law of the People's Republic of China aims to develop the mental health industry, regulate mental health services, and safeguard the legal rights and interests of individuals with mental disorders.

These efforts demonstrate the positive role of Chinese psychological organizations in opposing racial discrimination and promoting the development of an inclusive society. Through these activities, Chinese psychological organizations have not only helped individuals who are discriminated against but also promoted societal understanding and awareness of mental health issues, contributing to the establishment of a more inclusive and equal social environment.

3. Building A Community With A Shared Future For Mankind

Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the need of the survival and development of human society.

Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out: “In today’s world, all countries are interdependent and shared a common future. We should renew our commitment to the purpose and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, build a new model of international relations featuring mutually beneficial cooperation, and create a community with a shared future for mankind.”

The traditional and non-traditional security challenges, such as the Iraq war, the Syrian question, the Libyan civil war, the Afghan war, the refugee question, the food security, the terrorist threat, the separatist forces, the racial discrimination, the populism, the unilateralism, the trade protectionism, as well as the climate change, the natural disaster and so on, are bewildering and threatening human beings survival and development. The pandemic of COVID-19 in the world makes people aware of the challenges and threats that are facing. It is imperative to building a community with a shared future for mankind. The international community should take the initiative to contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Both China and the United States continue to contribute to international discussions. For example, China has published The Report on Human Rights Violations in the United States for many years in a row, supplementing the missing parts of its own research in the human rights reports released by the United States, It well reflects the complexity and long-term nature of the international human rights struggle. Experiencing racial/ethnic discrimination is a part of life for many Asian Americans. (Alvarez & Juang, 2010; Alvarez, Juang, & Liang, 2006; Goto, Gee, & Takeuchi, 2002; Grossman & Liang, 2008; Liang, Grossman, & Deguchi, 2007; Way, Santos, Niwa, & Kim-Gervey, 2008; Ying, Lee, & Tsai, 2000). Although there is a growing literature documenting the negative effects associated with experiencing racial/ethnic discrimination among Asian Americans, little is known about the particular contexts of discrimination (Niwa, Way, Qin, & Okazaki, in press). In 2021, the American Psychological Association (APA) issued a formal apology, acknowledging its historical failure to effectively oppose racism and committing to concrete actions for promoting anti-racist change. The American Psychological Association failed in its role leading the discipline of psychology, was complicit in contributing to systemic inequities, and hurt many through racism, racial discrimination, and denigration of people of color, thereby falling short on its mission to benefit society and improve lives. APA is profoundly sorry, accepts responsibility for, and owns the actions and inactions of APA itself, the discipline of psychology, and individual psychologists who stood as leaders for the organization and field.In China, human rights education is integrated into the national curriculum, instilling values of respect and equality from a young age. Schools emphasize the importance of understanding and appreciating different cultures, helping to dismantle prejudices and foster inclusivity.

4. Education and Cultural Understanding

Both China and the U.S. have recognized the critical role of education in combating racism. In China, human rights education is integrated into the national curriculum, instilling values of respect and equality from a young age. Schools emphasize the importance of understanding and appreciating different cultures, helping to dismantle prejudices and foster inclusivity.

Similarly, organizations like the APA advocate for using education as a tool to challenge racist ideologies and build empathy across diverse populations. Through educational reforms, the goal is to create a generation that is more tolerant, understanding, and committed to justice for all.

5. A Global Call for Unity

Psychology is integral to understanding and addressing the root causes of racism. By integrating psychological research into global policies, it can help combat the destructive impact of discrimination, making a significant contribution to a more just and inclusive world.

The fight against racial discrimination requires the efforts of all nations and global institutions. Just as China has taken steps to promote racial equality within its borders, it has also contributed to the global anti-racism movement.

In the spirit of international cooperation, it is essential to remember that the fight against racism is a shared responsibility. Every nation, organization, and individual has a role to play in creating a world where all people are treated with dignity and respect. Through continued education, cultural exchange, and policy reform, we can move closer to a future free of discrimination.

Takeaways

We know too well that history can repeat itself, that the past informs the present, and that many harms will continue to be perpetuated absent purposeful intervention. The past contributions to global anti-racism efforts, show that while much progress has been made, the journey is far from over. The path forward lies in unity, empathy, and a relentless dedication to building a world where equality is the norm, and discrimination is a thing of the past.

References

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