Important question -
Is it reasonable to blame entire nation on th basis of irresponsible and immature voices emerging from only a handful of people ?
Will that yield any good solution ?
Most often such issues are merely misunderstandings. I would rather prefer to analyze entire issue in an integrated manner, so that underlying factors can also be understood and suitable suggestions can be recommended based on root causes. Such an approach would help society grow mature to solve any similar problems in future. If you are a Krishna-conscious person, you need to be calm and patient neutral observer before you make any suggestions. It might be that you would ultimately trace out a series of immature actions and reactions.
If you accept what I mentioned above, I have got two important points here to emphasize :
1. Equal human identity and equal treatment is utmost essential for establishing peaceful coexistence of humanity.
2. I do recommend Krishna-consciousness as one of the ideal means to get rid of not only what you refer as "racism”, but also other similar pathologies from human populations.
Here is the discussion.
Humans have a natural tendency to derive meaning of differences about their surrounding environment based on distinct features. Humans on this planet share a capability of biological similarity and interbreeding. However, humans have differences in our external appearance. I strongly believe it to be extremely unethical and morally irrelevant if people sharing a set of similar features of appearance not only start considering others as different from them, but also behave in a discriminatory manner simply because “others” don’t share similar features by appearance. Unfortunately it is widespread issue around the world also known as “kin altruism”. Often different value-systems, religions and languages, even ones’ origin from different geographic location - are seen to complicate issues of discriminatory conduct. To add, certain religious philosophies try to spread a sense of divide among community, rather than spreading a message of universal love. Ultimately it hampers the process of cross-culturalism and sometimes gives rise to crime and conflicts. Therefore, racism is a complex issue, often associated with other factors of divide. In my opinion racism, is no different from speciesism and sexism in terms of its origin. Same also applies to other forms of discrimination such as discrimination on the basis of language or religion. If you consider all these issues being linked together, you may find what measures are necessary to promote mature understanding about these issues in community.
Study of vedic literature nicely explains how these issues are closely linked and shows how practice of Krishna-consciousness can provide an ideal solution to solve not only the racism but also these issues of speciecism and sexism. Practice of Krishna-consciousness strives to view all living organisms with a same respect. Eternal, and omnipresent [sarvam khalv idam brahma- from Chhāndogya Upanishad 3.14.1] ; ayam ātmā brahma- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5] Brahman is an absolute reality[ekam sat]. There are number of other verses that can be cited to single origin- supreme consciousness of life in world.
Here I am citing some interesting verses from Aitareya Upanishad.
3.1.1
What is this that we contemplate as ‘self ’?
That by which one sees, or that by which one hears, or that by which scents are smelled;
or that by which speech is articulated,
3.1.2
That which is this mind
and
this heart:
3.1.3
This is brahman, comprehending all reality.
This is Indra, chief of gods.
This is the creator, Lord Prajapati;
all the gods;
and all these five great elements called ‘earth’, ‘air’,‘ether’, ‘waters’, ‘lights’;
and these seeming complexes of minute things,and various seeds of different kinds;
and egg-born creatures and those born of womb,
and those born of heat and moisture, and those born from sprout;
horses, cattle,humans, elephants,
and that which stays in place.
All that is seen, and led, by consciousness;
and is established in consciousness.
The world is seen, and led, by consciousness.
Consciousness is all there is.
3.1.4
By this self, as consciousness,
he ascended from this world;
and, attaining all desires in that place of light,
Source of translation: Interpreting The Upanishads by Ananda Wood. Interesting book, recommended for anyone interested in vedic literature....
Shrimad Bhagvad Gita [6.29]
It is also true that we can not expect all those following Krishna-consciousness as perfections in terms of putting these principles into practice. It’s a life-long process of interpreting ideals, learning and putting principles into practice. Some people are quick learners and others take time.
Study of vedic literature nicely explains how these issues are closely linked and shows how practice of Krishna-consciousness can provide an ideal solution to solve not only the racism but also these issues of speciecism and sexism. Practice of Krishna-consciousness strives to view all living organisms with a same respect. Eternal, and omnipresent [sarvam khalv idam brahma- from Chhāndogya Upanishad 3.14.1] ; ayam ātmā brahma- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5] Brahman is an absolute reality[ekam sat]. There are number of other verses that can be cited to single origin- supreme consciousness of life in world.
Here I am citing some interesting verses from Aitareya Upanishad.
3.1.1
What is this that we contemplate as ‘self ’?
That by which one sees, or that by which one hears, or that by which scents are smelled;
or that by which speech is articulated,
3.1.2
That which is this mind
and
this heart:
3.1.3
This is brahman, comprehending all reality.
This is Indra, chief of gods.
This is the creator, Lord Prajapati;
all the gods;
and all these five great elements called ‘earth’, ‘air’,‘ether’, ‘waters’, ‘lights’;
and these seeming complexes of minute things,and various seeds of different kinds;
and egg-born creatures and those born of womb,
and those born of heat and moisture, and those born from sprout;
horses, cattle,humans, elephants,
and that which stays in place.
All that is seen, and led, by consciousness;
and is established in consciousness.
The world is seen, and led, by consciousness.
Consciousness is all there is.
3.1.4
By this self, as consciousness,
he ascended from this world;
and, attaining all desires in that place of light,
Source of translation: Interpreting The Upanishads by Ananda Wood. Interesting book, recommended for anyone interested in vedic literature....
Shrimad Bhagvad Gita [6.29]
सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि ।
ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः ॥६- २९॥
A real yogi observes Me in all beings, and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the self-realized man sees Me everywhere.
It is also true that we can not expect all those following Krishna-consciousness as perfections in terms of putting these principles into practice. It’s a life-long process of interpreting ideals, learning and putting principles into practice. Some people are quick learners and others take time.
