Navigating Racial Dynamics: Insights and Lessons for a Global Society

In 1963 at the inaugural ceremony of the African Union, Emperor Haile Selassie noted in his speech, “That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned; That until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation; That until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes; That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race; That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained”.

Selassie's words resonate today as racial differences persist, impacting Africa and its diaspora globally. A recent dialogue among friends traveling across Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, and Fiji prompted reflections on the complex subject of racial inequalities, drawing parallels with the experiences in other parts of the world with similar discrimination. I was part of the group as we shared personal anecdotes and observations to underscore how diverse reactions to race-related incidents can shape economic realities—in other words, we sought to explore the intersections of racial dynamics and economic disparities.

The conversation veered toward personal encounters with racial sensitivity, including a powerful incident in Ghana where diverse reactions to the historical legacy of slavery revealed contrasting emotional responses. Such experiences, whether on the African continent or within diasporic communities, serve as a lens to understand the complex interplay between racial consciousness and economic outcomes.

A colleague from the Caribbean visited Cape Coast Castle (also known as the Slave Castle) in Accra, Ghana, while touring with an African-American friend and a Ghanaian host. The African American was distraught and sobbed excessively. My colleague felt awful and shocked. The host, having visited the Castle several times, was indifferent.

In another incident in the US, a supervisor asked, “Where are those black kids?” referring to two student employees of African descent. Immediately, a young African-American lady confronted the supervisor, Black kids? Don’t they have names? The matter was investigated as racial prejudice. The supervisor was exonerated. The young lady, however, quit the university, abandoning her scholarship. The other student from Africa continued with his work but was utterly astounded by the reaction from his co-worker.

These incidents not only reveal the challenges faced by individuals but also underscore the need for a collective effort to combat systemic racism. African Americans stand out in the fight against racism and react more powerfully than their cousins in the continent and other diasporas. Their heightened reactions can be attributed to historical legacies of systemic racism and police brutality in the United States. Although these were opinions and observations, there was cause to explore what the literature says. ?

Alvin Powell, Harvard Gazette Staff Writer, interviewed Sociologist Michèle Lamont, a professor of sociology and African and African American studies at Harvard University 2016, regarding her studies concerning individual responses to everyday racism. The sociologists' eight-year study looked at minority groups' reactions to racism, discrimination, and stigma in three cities: New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Tel Aviv. The findings, published in the book "Getting Respect: Responding to Stigma and Discrimination in the United States, Brazil, and Israel," look at how five minority groups respond to a variable called "groupness," a measure of collective identity strength.

Interviews were conducted with blacks in New York and Rio de Janeiro, as well as members of three Israeli groups: Palestinians, Mizrahi Jews from the Middle East, and recently emigrated Ethiopian Jews. Researchers discovered that while group strength was a significant element in shaping people's behaviours — whether they addressed discrimination directly or not — other characteristics also played a role.

The main distinction is that African Americans have substantial cultural resources at their disposal that persuade them racism is wrong in the American context and that they are entitled to fair treatment. The Civil Rights Movement's legacy has significantly encouraged African Americans to address [instances of racism]. In Brazil, people are considerably more hesitant to confront. Furthermore, African Americans have a powerful group identity. In contrast to Brazil, they prioritise their racial identification over their national identity.

The study demonstrated that African Americans address [racism] considerably more freely, and they feel genuine in doing so. Ethiopian Jews, another population they researched, are newcomers to Israel. They want to be accepted, so they take a less combative approach. Arab Palestinians are notably excluded — they are aware that they are seen as "the enemy within," as Palestinian friends — and thus are far more prone to confront. Their expectations for full citizenship, for inclusion in Israel are meager. As a result, individuals are less likely to express feelings of being ignored or misunderstood because they do not expect to be understood.

In contrast, Indian reactions to racism are highly idiosyncratic, and persons in the Indian diaspora may combine various techniques based on their specific circumstances and preferences. Furthermore, attempts to eradicate racism frequently require collaboration with allies from all backgrounds to establish a more inclusive and equal society. For example, in response to frequent racial attacks on Indian students and migrants in Australia, the victims decided not to return. Instead, there was a protest against prejudice against Indians in India. The Indian media urged the government to use the country's expanding economic clout to compel Australia to act. The Australian government apologised, and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd felt obligated to repair diplomatic relations with India by visiting the country and establishing the Australia India Institute.

Dr Sukhmani Khorana, Senior Research Fellow at Western Sydney University's Institute for Culture and Society, later stated that the attacks demonstrated that the Indian-Australian community had evolved from "de-wogged migrants" to "rabble-rousers." This suggests that, due to India's growing economic prowess, Indians migrating to other countries are prouder of their home country. As a result, they are more inclined to speak out against perceived discrimination in Australia.

There are lessons we can learn from Asians, especially Indians, who, too, have endured racism for years but have taken a different strategy to deal with it. Their reactions are often muted, but they take education seriously to the extent that they now dominate the leadership of global companies. When measured by market value, Indian chief executive officers (CEOs) lead some of the world's largest firms, with a strong presence in the technology (tech) sector. For example, Microsoft's market value reached $2.27 trillion in May 2023 under the leadership of CEO Satya Nadella. Meanwhile, Sundar Pichai, an Indian-American businessman, has led Alphabet (previously Google) to a market capitalisation of $1.36 trillion. This has implications for India and its entire diaspora. Deloitte estimates one-third of the global workforce will soon be Indian.

Africa and its diasporic groups require a plan that prioritises education and the establishment of a sound economic foundation through global collaboration and the utilisation of the young population. The idea emphasises the significance of forging genuine connections within the black community and with allies who advocate for a more just society. I believe this is what Selassie intended, just as Mahatma Gandhi laid the seed of a subdued response to adversity. We must deepen the conversation on the intricate intersections of race, education, and economic inequities to emphasise the importance of more profound education as the foundation for promoting better racial relations and cohesion inside Africa and its diaspora. Drawing inspiration from other races' experiences, particularly those in Asia, meaningful connections, education, and togetherness are critical for breaking down preconceptions and constructing a future that represents Selassie's vision of a society free of racial inequities.