EXAMPLES OF RACISM IN MODERN HISTORY ASIAN STUDIES

THE KU KLUX KLAN Founded in 1866, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) extended into almost every southern state in America. Its members waged an underground campaign of intimidation and violence directed at black people and their white supporters. It’s main goal is white supremacy. in the early 20th century, burning crosses and staging rallies, parades and marches attacking immigrants, Catholics, Jews, blacks and labour unions. The civil rights movement of the 1960s also saw a surge of Ku Klux Klan activity, including bombings of black schools and churches and violence against black and white activists in the South.

APARTHEID Apartheid was a system in place in South Africa that separated people based on their race and skin colour. There were laws that forced white people and black people to live and work apart from each other. Even though there were less white people than black people, apartheid laws allowed white people to rule the country and enforce the laws. Afrikaners (South Africans with a Dutch background) justified apartheid saying God wanted it.

SEGREGATION IN THE SOUTHERN STATES OF AMERICA In the years leading up to 1910, before African-Americans (ex- slaves) were given the vote, white voters in the Southern states of America voted to pass laws that would segregate (separate) African-Americans from white people. The Ku Klux clan attempted to maintain this way of live by terrorising the African- American population of each state. African-Americans did not have access to basic human rights such as the right to vote, because they were often attacked and maybe even killed if they attempted to use this right. They did not have the same level of resources (schools, universities, jobs, freedom of travel).

Cambodia and the Killing Fields The Khmer Rouge (new leaders of Cambodia 1975 and 1979) and their leader Pol Pot targeted various ethnic groups, forcibly relocating minority groups, and banned the use of minority languages. Religion was also banned, especially Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism. Over four years, the Khmer Rouge killed more than 1.7 million people through work, starvation and torture.

OTHER NOTABLE CASES OF RACISM IN HISTORY Armenian genocide Nazi Germany East Timor Guatemala Yugoslavia Rwanda