Racism is an Act of Violence

“Help one another in acts of piety and righteousness. And do not assist each other in acts of sinfulness
and transgression. And be aware of Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment” (Al-Maidah Verse 5:2).

Assalamualaikum and a very good day to chairperson, honorable judges, beloved teachers and fellow
friends. My name is (Name) from SMU (A) Ittihadiah and today I will talk about racism is an act of
violence. As the verse I have recited just now, it is clear that Islam encouraged its worshippers to do good
to other people regardless of age, race, and nationality. Before we get to know why racism is a violence,
lets get to know what is the meaning of racism. Racism is a belief or doctrine that inherent differences
among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving
the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial
group is inferior to the others.

In a study conducted in Australia involving 800 secondary school students, the researchers found
out that racism had huge mental health impacts on young people who experience it. It mentally impacts
victim by making the victim feeling ongoing sadness, anger, depression and being left out. Victim will also
experience headaches, increased heart rate, sweating, trembling and muscle tension also a constant fear
of being verbally or physically attacked, not wanting to go to school and having little or no trust in anybody
apart from family. This is violating the racism victims to live their lives normally, so this is why racism is an
act of violence.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Children who are facing racism has been denied education and there are many oppressions to
give them right to have education like other children. In a few countries, minority students are given fewer
and lower-quality books, curriculum materials, laboratories, and computers; significantly larger class
sizes; less qualified and experienced teachers; and less access to high-quality curriculum. Many schools
serving low-income and minority students do not even offer the math and science courses needed for
college, and they provide lower-quality teaching in the classes they do offer. This is an obvious unfairness
because education should be inclusive, not exclusive.

Members of the hall,

In the United States of America, people with black skin experience most racism violence and in
the most extreme case is police brutality. About 1,000 civilians are killed each year by law-enforcement
officers in the United States. By one estimate, Black men are 2.5 times more likely than white men to be
killed by police during their lifetime. And in another study, Black people who were fatally shot by police
seemed to be twice as likely as white people to be unarmed. They were killed even though they have no
weapons to cause injury to the police. This is a red flag for human rights not only to those who are facing
racism but to all humanities.

Before I end my speech, I would like to remind everyone here that there are no reasons or
excuses for racism. It’s just wrong. And in many cases, racism is against the law. So, let us be a good
human being and educate ourselves to respect all humans and say no to rasicm. ‘Wabillahi Taufiq
Walhidayyah, Assalamualaikum Warahmatillahi Wabarakatuh’. Thank you.