Racism - why does it still exist, what is happening at the moment and how is it affecting every aspect of our lives?
Racism has occurred in society for hundreds of years, and it's shocking to see that it's still very much an evident factor in our lives today. The way in which certain things are portrayed may have shifted slightly but that doesn't excuse the fact that it is still a major problem worldwide - people shouldn't have to be protesting with regards to their human rights in 2020.
Since the seemingly racially motivated death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month, American citizens have taken to the streets to protest, demanding a change in the way people are treated based on their race. Additionally, we have seen similar scenes in London with regards to racism and oppression - two things which should've been nipped in the bud years ago.
The whole race issue has been a huge problem within our society for as long as we can remember and it shouldn't take something as shocking as someone losing a life for people to realise that things need to change. That being said, moments like this also encourage some people to come together and unite, urging others to change, regardless of their race and background.
Of late, many businesses across the globe have spoken out on social media to show their solidarity and support in terms of racism. Although it's fantastic to see a number of companies doing so, this is just scratching the surface. Rather than take a performative approach, these companies must take action if they feel that there is racial inequality in the workplace - this isn't something to be taken lightly. It's important for people to educate themselves on an issue as impactful as racism, and it's also imperative for businesses to do so as their values and ethos will reflect on the way a company treats its employees.
Diversity in the workplace has certainly developed over the years and it can only improve in the future. Living in a multicultural society is a fantastic thing and companies must take this into account in terms of hiring and beyond. Diversity is a real focus for businesses now, and rightly so - it goes without saying that all employees must be supported fully by the company they work for, regardless of their race, religion, gender or ethnicity.
Discrimination takes place in many forms, and although some progress has been made over the years, it's clear that it still occurs far too often and surprisingly, in the workplace too. It is so institutionalised in some parts of society that it still lives on sometimes in a more nuanced form. Let's hope that the recent events that have taken place urge more people to unite regardless of colour, and one day, racism will be a thing of the past. It's certainly a learning process, but one we should all be willing to engage in.