"当种族主义不再有利可图且不再具有心理作用时，它将消失。届时，它将消亡。"

Racism sticks around because it's often profitable and provides psychological benefits to certain people. Once those incentives vanish, so will racism.

Let's break it down. People and systems benefit from racism in many ways. Some businesses profit from exploiting marginalized groups—think about cheap labor or marketing that preys on stereotypes. And on a personal level, racism can make some individuals feel superior. It's a sad truth, but feeling "better" than someone else can be psychologically rewarding for those who buy into such notions.

Historically, racism has been used to justify all kinds of exploitation. Slavery in the United States, colonialism in Africa and Asia, and the apartheid regime in South Africa are prime examples. These systems made huge sums of money for the people in power, all while dehumanizing those they exploited. Racism wasn’t just a byproduct—it was a tool.

Now, let’s dive into a real-life example that hits home. Think about the fashion industry. Many brands have come under fire for using sweatshop labor in developing countries. These workers, often people of color, are paid pennies to make clothes sold for hundreds of dollars. The companies profit massively, while the workers remain trapped in poverty. This setup thrives on racism and economic disparity. When consumers and activists push back—boycotting brands, demanding transparency, advocating for fair trade—the profit incentive for exploiting these workers diminishes. Brands start to change their practices, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's no longer profitable to continue the old ways.

So, how do we apply this wisdom in our daily lives? Start by being conscious of where your money goes. Support businesses that prioritize ethical practices. Educate yourself and others about the hidden costs behind cheap products. And don't shy away from tough conversations about race and privilege. The more we erode the psychological and financial benefits of racism, the closer we get to dismantling it.

Imagine you’re at a dinner party, and someone makes a racist joke. It's awkward, right? You could laugh it off, but what if you didn't? What if you calmly explained why the joke isn’t funny—that it dehumanizes people and perpetuates harmful stereotypes? Sure, it might make things uncomfortable for a moment, but you're chipping away at the psychological "benefit" that person gets from feeling superior. Over time, these little moments add up.

Let me tell you about my friend Alex. Alex grew up in a small town where casual racism was the norm. People made offhand comments all the time, not really thinking twice about it. But after moving to a diverse city and making friends from various backgrounds, Alex started to see things differently. One night, back in his hometown, a friend made a racist comment. Instead of ignoring it, Alex spoke up. It was tough—his friend was defensive, and the conversation got heated. But later, that same friend reached out, admitting they’d never thought about how their words could hurt others. Alex’s courage helped change a perspective.

In a nutshell, while we might not dismantle racism overnight, every conscious choice we make to remove its profitability and psychological appeal gets us closer to a world where it can't survive. So, let's keep pushing—one conversation, one purchase, one brave moment at a time.