Let's Talk About It With Myeka: The Real Cause of Classism, Racism and Sexism

This commemoration week of the life, death and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has caused some deep reflections, mainly, Why Are We Still Battling Issues of Classism, Racism and Sexism? Why haven't we united to overcome these issues. The answer is simple. We focus on what others believe about us, struggling to make them change their minds about our inferiority. But we believe ourselves to be inferior as well; if we didn't, what others think would truly have no impact whatsoever.  And the secret is - the real cause of classism racism and sexism is fear on the part of the perpetrator that he or she is inadequate.  "I have more than you have, so I'm better than you." Classism.  The fear is, if I no longer have more than you have, I will feel inadequate, so I must maintain a system that insures I always have more than you have.  "My physical traits make me genetically superior to you." Racism. The fear is, if your physical traits prove to be superior to mines, I will feel inadequate, so I must maintain a system that reinforces the idea that I look better than you, am smarter than you, and deserve more than you.  "I belong to the superior gender, so I should dominate you." Sexism. The fear is, if you excel in achievements beyond what I have achieved, I will feel inadequate, so I must maintain a system that keeps you from competing against me, excelling over me and dominating me. Once we realize the deep seated fears of those who discriminate, we can dismantle the systems created by fear. But first we must acknowledge and eliminate the fear and belief in our own inadequacy.