Protesters rally during the medical boycott of apartheid Israel at Sandton Convention Centre on 13th February  2025 in Sandton, South Africa. The healthcare professionals are calling for the promotion of justice, equality, and human rights. 
Photo credit: Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images

Why racial discrimination persists despite globalisation

While technology and globalisation have created opportunities for cultural understanding, they have also introduced new challenges. Overcoming cultural ignorance, misinformation, and discrimination requires conscious efforts at individual, societal, and institutional levels. By embracing tolerance, advocating for human rights, and fostering genuine cultural appreciation, societies can move toward a more inclusive and equitable world. On this day of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we explore different perspectives on why, even with the interconnectedness of the world, there are still growing cases of racial discrimination.

From a sociological perspective, cultural ignorance can be seen as a failure of social integration despite globalisation. As people become more connected through technology and travel, they should, in theory, become more aware of cultural and racial diversity. However, longstanding societal structures, historical biases, and systemic inequalities often prevent understanding. Stereotypes persist because dominant groups usually shape cultural narratives, limiting exposure to authentic cultural representations. This contributes to discrimination, reinforcing social divisions rather than fostering unity.

Technologically, digital platforms provide unprecedented access to diverse cultures, but they also enable selective exposure. Algorithms often tailor content to individuals’ existing beliefs, creating echo chambers that reinforce biases rather than challenging them. Instead of broadening understanding, technology can sometimes perpetuate ignorance, as people remain within information bubbles that validate rather than question their perspectives. Additionally, the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning can reflect and amplify existing prejudices, further entrenching cultural misunderstandings.

Looking at it from a psychological point of view, cognitive biases play a crucial role in the persistence of cultural ignorance. Confirmation bias leads people to seek information that supports their pre-existing beliefs, while implicit biases shape unconscious attitudes toward other cultures. Despite increased exposure to different cultures, people may still interpret cultural differences through the lens of their own experiences, leading to misinterpretations and stereotypes. Addressing these biases requires deliberate education and media representation efforts to promote critical thinking and cultural empathy.

It should be noted that misinformation plays a significant role in discrimination. Today, misinformation has become a major tool for influencing public opinion. The rapid dissemination of false narratives, often spread through social media, has the power to reinforce stereotypes and deepen racial discrimination. Sensationalist reporting and biased news sources contribute to a distorted perception of different cultural groups, leading to misjudgements and unfair treatment. The challenge lies in promoting digital literacy to help individuals critically evaluate sources and discern facts from misinformation.

Everyone is entitled to dignity and respect regardless of race or culture. International frameworks, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasise that freedom, equality, and justice should be upheld for all. However, racial discrimination continues to challenge these principles. Treating others with fairness and respect is a fundamental aspect of ethical human interaction. Discrimination contradicts the ethical principle of fairness and harms not just individuals but society as a whole.

It is possible to use tolerance as a pathway to inclusion and fighting against racial discrimination. Promoting tolerance goes beyond passive acceptance. It involves fostering a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. Fostering tolerance requires active participation in intercultural exchanges. When individuals share experiences, traditions, and stories, they move beyond abstract concepts of tolerance and develop genuine appreciation and respect for cultural diversity.

Overcoming cultural ignorance, misinformation, and discrimination requires conscious efforts at individual, societal, and institutional levels. This International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reminds us to embrace tolerance, advocate for human rights, and foster genuine cultural appreciation so that societies can move toward a more inclusive world.