One of the news that have impacted us the most is the case of George Floyd, which generated a huge shock in the United States.

On the 25th of May of 2020 (Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S), Derek Chauvin (american policeman) immobilized George Floyd, and afroamerican man 46 years old, by pressing his knee on the throat of George while being handcuffed on the floor.

The policeman kept the knee on George's throat 9 minutes and 29 second, even though George said many times "I can't breathe". Floyd lost the consciousness and was later pronounced dead.

Why the policeman did that, you may ask, well he falsely accused Floyd of commiting a crime he didn't do, only because he was black, which is a clearly example of racial discrimination.

Derek Chauvin was later sentenced to 22 years and 6 months of prission after being declared guilty for the assasination of George Floyd.

There were also massive protests with the motto of "Black lives matter", made by the citizens of all U.S and other countries after realizing the crime thanks to a video of the murder on live that went viral on the internet (that is how we were told the news).

This case raised public awareness about excessive use of strength by police officers, racism and the necessity of reforms.

Also changes in police policies were made in some cities and states, plus, there were advances in legislation, like the law project "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act" (still not approved).

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In 1957, he and other civil rights activists created the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to harness the organising power of black churches to carry out non-violent protests to achieve civil rights reform. It formed part of what was called the ‘Big Five’ of civil rights organisations, which included the NAACP, the National Urban League, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Congress of Racial Equality.

In 1963, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom became the pinnacle of Martin's national and international influence. Before a crowd of 250,000, he delivered a speech which became legendary (I have a dream). In that speech, along with many others delivered by Dr. King, has had a lasting influence on world rhetoric.

One year later, in 1964, Luther King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his activism for civil rights and social justice. Most of the rights for which Dr. King organised protests became law with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

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From ancient times to the present day, racial discrimination has evolved. Initially, discrimination was most noticeable in slavery and colonial practices, with the creation of systems that justified inequality based on race. Over time,the slavery was reduced and discrimination has become more discrete and structural,but persisting in the form of,for example, systemic racism, discrimination in housing, education, and employment.

This is a difficult question, because racism has existed throughout history and continuous to affect millions of people today. Although it is a complex issue, I believe that progress is possible through education, laws, technology and society participation.

In recent years, awereness of racial discrimination has grown, especially between young generations. Schools are beginning to talk more openly about racism, not only in history classes, but also with discussions, projects and activities to promote respect and equality.

I think education is key to changing mindsets and preventing future discrimination. Learning about other cultures, histories, and experiences can help reduce prejudice and create more empathy amoung young people.

-Employment Discrimination: Race continues to be a factor in inequality in wages and opportunities, even with similar educational levels.

-Unconscious Biases: Racism is often expressed through unconscious or "implicit" biases that affect perceptions and treatment of people of other races.

-Denial of Racism: Denial of the existence of racism prevents action from being taken to combat it. Systemic Racism: Structural inequality that favors certain races and disadvantages others persists in areas such as education, the justice system, and access to resources.

-Cultural Imposition: Modern racism often involves imposing the norms of the dominant culture on other groups, which can manifest itself in exclusion or prejudice.

-Ethnocentric Racism: The belief that one's own culture or ethnic group is superior to others can manifest itself in racist attitudes.

-Symbolic racism: Criticism of affirmative action policies or laws that seek to protect minority rights can be a form of symbolic racism.

Racism in the 18th Century:

-Slavery: The practice of slavery, common in the colonies, was based on the idea that African people were property and undeserving of freedom.

-The "Science of Races": Scientific thought in the 18th century developed the idea that human races were different and that some were superior to others. This contributed to the discrimination and segregation of Indigenous and African populations.

-The Caste System: In the Spanish colonies, the caste system classified people based on their ethnic and racial origin, creating a hierarchy that favored Europeans.

-Cultural Discrimination: Indigenous and African cultures were considered inferior to European cultures, which led to a loss of identity and the imposition of European standards.

19th Century:

-Slavery: The enslavement of Africans and African Americans was a common and legal practice, which generated profound social and economic inequality.

-Segregation: Laws and practices were established that separated African Americans from the white population in areas such as education, housing, transportation, and public places.

-The idea of ​​racial superiority: Racist theories emerged that justified colonial domination and racial inequality, arguing that some races were naturally superior to others.

20th Century: Civil rights and decolonization movements began to question racial discrimination, leading to laws and policies prohibiting discrimination, although the problem has not disappeared.

-Segregation continued: Segregation continued in many countries, even after the abolition of slavery, generating social and racial tensions.

-Nazism: In Germany, the Nazi regime carried out a policy of extermination against Jews and other racial groups, based on the belief of Aryan superiority. Racial discrimination in other countries: In various countries around the world, racial discrimination continued to be a problem, affecting different racial and ethnic groups.

-The struggle for civil rights: In the United States, the civil rights movement fought to end segregation and racial discrimination, although inequality persisted in many areas.

Laws in many countries are being strengthened to fight racism in all its forms, not only against Black communities, but also against Indigenous peoples, migrants, Asians, Arabs, and other ethnic minorities. For example, The Equality Act 2010 in the UK protects people from discrimination in employment and services. The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), adopted by the UN, encourages countries around the world to take action against racial discrimination. 

These laws are essential to protect people rights, reduce hate crimes , and promote fair treatement for all ethic groups. If they are properly implemented, they can make a real difference.

At the same time, social movements and protests play a crucial role. One of the most powerful recent examples was the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, after the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in the US. This event reminded the world that racism is still a serious and deadly problem. Protests like that have helped raise awareness globally, putting pressure on governments and institutions to take racism seriously. Peaceful protests, both in the street and on social media, have shown that people are prepared to stand up for justice and equality.

Technology is another important factor. On the one hand, it allows people to share their experiences, access information, and create publicity about racism. On the other hand, if used incorrectly, technology can spread hate speech, false steriotypes, and division. That is why digital education is essentieal. Young people have to learn how to use the internet responsibly and how to recognize misinformation.

Migration and globalization are also helping in the creation of more diverse societies. Living with people from different cultures can help bouild empathy and reduce prejudice. However this also means that the people had to be more open-minded, respectful and have a good integration with policies from governments.

There are many thing we can do to continue improving. Schools should include anti-racism content in their lessons and crate safe spaces where students can share their thoughts and experiences. The media should represent people backgrounds fairly, without steriotypes. Governments should listen to minority communities and include them in the decision making processes.

In conclusion, racism is still present, and it won't disappear easly. But by combining education, fair and active laws, responsible use of technology, and an inclusive society, we can reduce it. The progress may be slow, but it is possible. As a young person, I believe that change is up to us, because after all, the future is going to end up being the decisions of the present.

There were some situations along our lives that impacted us and helped us to maintain more informed about racial discrimination:

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Malcolm's family was threatened by the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups and had to move house and state several times.

At the age of 21, after committing a series of robberies of wealthy white families, he was arrested and sentenced to eight to ten years in prison. It was there, behind bars, that the life of this juvenile delinquent took an unexpected turn.

During his years in prison, Malcolm became interested in the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam. Nation of Islam was an African-American movement that combined elements of Islam with ideas of black nationalism.

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Like Malcolm X, his family was also threatened by the terror of the local branch of the Ku Klux Klan. Racial discrimination continued throughout his life, with, for example, episodes of harassment of local white children.

In 1955, when Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus, she was already a well-known figure in the struggle for racial equality. As a result, she was arrested for disorderly conduct and briefly jailed.

The response of the black community in Montgomery to her refusal to give up her seat on the bus was perfectly orchestrated. Word of Parks' arrest spread, and her friends convinced her to allow her arrest to be used as a test case for challenging Alabama's segregation laws. Local activists organised a one-day boycott to coincide with her trial.

Parks had become a national figure and travelled around the country publicising the boycott. Nearly a year after her arrest, while on her way to give a speech, she learned that the US Supreme Court had declared segregated bus transportation unconstitutional.

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There's almost no information about her, but I considered she a good example because she is one of the few white people who wanted an equal and fair society as black people fighted for.

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Luisa, in fighting for equality between black and white people in the workplace, as well as promoting the empowerment of working women, especially immigrant women, was the target of political persecution during the Cold War.

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This problem has, unfortunately, always been present throughout history, especially in the past.

Nowadays, this problem is more under control, or at least that is what many people think, because every day we find different cases of racial discrimination all over the world, and this is something that has to change.

According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), 45% of people of African descent in Europe say they have experienced racial discrimination.

In the USA, Black Americans are three times more likely to be killed by police than white Americans, according to studies by Mapping Police Violence (2021)

Bibliography:

• United Nations. Human rights and fight against future racism. Fight racism - ES | Naciones Unidas

  
  

• Human Rights Watch. Social Movements like Black Lives Matter and its impact. https://www.hrw.org/the- day-in-human-rights/2020/05/29

• European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
  2018 report on being Black in the EU
   https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2018/being-black-eu

• Mapping Police Violence – US statistics on racial injustice
  Data on police brutality against Black Americans
   https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/

  
  

• Black Lives Matter Official Site
  Background on the BLM movement
   https://blacklivesmatter.com/

• UNESCO – The role of education in fighting racism
  Insight into how schools can help prevent racial discrimination.
   https://en.unesco.org/themes/fostering-rights-inclusion/education-against-racism

Although progress has been made in the fight against racism, continued efforts are still needed to eradicate it. Education, awareness, and changing attitudes are essential to achieving a more just and inclusive society.

-In institutions: Legal, political, and social structures can perpetuate racial discrimination, reflecting historical and persistent inequalities.

-In everyday life: Racism is expressed in discriminatory attitudes and behaviors, racist jokes, social exclusion, and lack of opportunities.

-In the labor market: Racial discrimination is evident in access to jobs, wage discrimination, and lack of opportunities for professional development.

-In education: Discrimination against students of different backgrounds

-In housing and healthcare: People from racial minority groups may face difficulties accessing quality housing and healthcare services.

According to UNESCO's newly launched Global Outlook on Racism and Discrimination, race accounts for 38% of reported discrimination cases globally and ethnicity (20%). Alarmingly, 18% of cases involve physical attacks, underscoring the violence and harm many face daily.

But it is worth mentioning that there have also been many more people who have fought alongside them, such as Dorothy Height, John Lewis, Frederick Douglass, Bayard Rustin, or Harriet Tubman. And that's not to mention the many others who may not have made big changes, but they did make a difference.

Moreover, although today it is not as much of a problem as it was before, there is still not a 100% egalitarian society, so any of us can do something about it so that the day will come sooner when this problem no longer exists.

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Racism still exists today, and we see it every day. From people insulting others for their nationality to what usually happens in the world of soccer, constant racist insults against soccer players just for being better than others.

The most common are Nico Williams and Vinicius Jr., at all an entire stadium shouted "Monkey."

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United States Census Bureau QuickFacts. (n.d.). U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: United States. Census Bureau QuickFacts. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045224

País, E., País, E., & País, E. (2016, September 19). 247 ejemplos de discriminación. El País. https://elpais.com/elpais/2016/09/19/migrados/1474274934_147427.html

Social Media Victims Law Center PLLC. (2025, 5 marzo). Racism in Social Media | Social Media Victims Law Center. Social Media Victims Law Center. https://socialmediavictims.org/social-media-violence/racism/

Alvarodinamia. (n.d.). La discriminación racial en el ámbito laboral sigue siendo una realidad y afecta especialmente a las mujeres. – Madrid Corresponsable. https://www.madridcorresponsable.es/noticias/la-discriminacion-racial-en-el-ambito-laboral-sigue-siendo-una-realidad-y-afecta-especialmente-a-las-mujeres/

Redacción. (2020, May 29). George Floyd: quién era el afroestadounidense muerto bajo custodia policial en Minneapolis (y qué se sabe del agente involucrado en el incidente). BBC News Mundo. https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-52838977