Taylor Harms
Dr. Preston
Expository Composition
11/9/13
Racism in the 21st Century
The
United States and even the entire world has grown at least a little more
tolerant and accepting of people of different race, color, ethnicity, and
religion. As the “Land of Opportunity” it is our duty to accept everyone into
our population regardless of their history, be it dark or successful, we need
to accept them as one of our own, all of us working towards a better world.
Tolerance is preached in all aspects of
our society be it in church, school or even the workplace; so why is this still
even an issue? It is still alive because of those engrained feelings and
thoughts that were inherited through the family’s opinions on the young
impressionable teenagers when it was socially acceptable to hate someone, just
because of the color of their skin. There was and still is a social hierarchy,
even though we don’t like to admit it, that is being challenged still today and
for good reason. This leads to tensions and out lashes that cause even more
issues. No one man has more of a right to life than another. No matter how
simple and fundamental this idea is, it is still not completely accepted by
society. An example of this was the enslavement of African-Americans for 300
years just because they were viewed as subhuman. They were humans just like
every other person on the planet but they were viewed as inferior because of
their way of life. Another is the genocide of Native Americans. They were
viewed as savages and again, sub-human because of their way of life. They lived
off the land peacefully and in perfect balance. They viewed war as a sacred
thing and the scalping of enemies was a ritual. It may seem gruesome and savage
like to the invading Europeans. If anything, it was the
Harms
pg.2
Europeans
that acted savage like because they live much like we do today: with lots of
waste and dominating and abusing land rather than living with it for the
bettering of society.
Everyone has their own views and
thoughts about people’s differences. No one person is completely unbiased and
insensitive to those differences. The reason we feel certain ways about these
differences is that we are all under the influence of social schema. The social
patterns and “things to think about things” that we obtain throughout our lives
from the media, parents, in-groups, and our own personal thoughts being mixed
up with all the other sources. Sometimes we get a little confused with our own
feelings and wonder if we should really be thinking those things so we go to
things like the media for confirmation of right and wrong.
Another root of racism, and just
simple misunderstandings of people’s differences, is our fear of the unknown.
When we aren’t something that someone else is, we don’t understand exactly what
it is like to be then. We don’t know their lives and struggles so we don’t
understand why they act the way they act. When we went to the moon in the
1960’s, the whole world was scared. Scared because we had no true idea what was
out there. Maybe an alien civilization maybe a massive black hole nobody had an
exact idea. We simply did not know. But the only way to find out was to go out
there with an open mind and ready for anything and when we did, it opened up a
whole new world essentially. The same thing applies to people of different
color. We don’t know what its like to be African-American if you are white and
vice versa. Whites do not understand what its like to go through life knowing the
struggles your people had to go
through
just to have the simplest of freedoms. Since they do not understand it, they
might be a little afraid. They might be thinking, “Oh I’m white they’ll
probably resent me or think I’m a racist so I’ll just act super nice and not be
‘that’ guy.” This may cause a separation to prevent
Harms
pg. 3
conflicts
that wouldn’t happen anyway. Blacks don’t necessarily hate and target
individuals. Maybe they would just be proud of their heritage and want
friendship. Nobody can tell exactly what you are feeling, only what you’ve been
through. This idea of fear of the unknown is relevant today. According to Erika
Marquez’s article Why 7 Times? Police
officers shot and killed an adolescent Latino who had a fake gun and pointed it
at police. Although told by police to set down the gun, he pointed it at the
officers and they opened fired. They had no idea that it was a fake gun; all
they saw is what it looked like. The officers were just looking out for each
other and acted on their training. They feared the unknown. They see a Latino
boy just walking around with what really did look like an actual threatening
rifle. In the article Toy Guns Deadly
Consequences by Katy Steinmetz quotes, “Stopping the police car, the
deputies chirped their siren and demanded that he drop the gun. Still holding
it, Lopez started to turn around. A deputy, believing he was in danger, fired
several rounds.” The officer believed he was in danger, so he acted. He did not
think of the other possibilities and simply acted. He didn’t take the time to
figure it out or use a non-lethal method of disarming him. This ties in to
racism because sometimes we act or say things that maybe we don’t really mean,
but do anyway because we see no alternative and it seems right in the moment.
Fear of the unknown is one of the
many ‘social schemas’ that make us think the way we think about certain things.
They are the socially accepted reasons things are the way they are. The article
Theory of Knowledge: Human Sciences and
Racism supports this idea by quoting, “When groups of people interact,
thoughts of superiority may occur, leading to racism among them. These thoughts
are typically considered natural in the human sciences, and to an extent, the
impetus for many social problems.” It is human nature to have these thoughts of
superiority
Harms
pg. 4
or
inferiority based on stereotypes and successes and shortcomings of each race.
It may create many problems, but it is natural.
Trying to make sense of the world
around us takes a lifetime to accomplish so we depend on our parents and the
media to fill in the holes in our understanding. A good example would be a very
Republican and white set of parents shopping with their kids at say a grocery
store in a bad part of town and they see a group of Latino teens and think
they’re gang members and the parents hold their kids tighter or walk in the
other direction. This may cause the kids to develop an acquired fear and
suspicion not of gang members, but of people of that race. The color of a
persons skin is obvious to tell if it is different and it is a social schema to
associate a color with an emotion or thought. Blue is the sky, green is grass,
and in this instance: dark skin is suspicion and someone below you. If parents
don’t take the time to understand something, they will pass on their fear and
insecurity to their children, who will in turn pass it on to their children and
so
on.
One instance of misunderstanding can lead to a lifetime of mental segregation.
They will view different races as just that, different. Not the same. Not like
us so something must be wrong with them.
The reason why we are friends with
the people we are friends with is because we share some kind of common ground
be it a sport, interest, religion, anything really, Sometimes even race can play
a role and even within races their can be huge separations due to wealth.
Wealth and race are interchangeable because they may share a similar family
life at home and have the same interests and experiences because of it. Rich
white kids associate themselves with other rich white kids and poor white kids
associate with other white kids. It is a fundamental idea that people enjoy
singularity and they focus on what makes them different rather than what brings
Harms
pg. 5
them
together. Wealth often can be a replacement for equal race because they then
are on the same level on the ‘success’ pyramid. Even if an African-American
family is neighbors with a white family, there most likely wouldn’t be any
problems if they are equal in wealth. If a minority is of equal wealth and
success, skin color doesn’t matter. They have proved themselves according to
the standards of somebody else and shown that they do deserve to be associated
with. Sometimes in a group, a new member must be ‘initiated’ or proven loyal
and worthy in order to join.
There are many different examples of
these initiation rituals that are involved in any social group. On a sports
team it might be hard work, in a religious group it might be over the top
devotion, and in an all one-race group of friends, it might be proof of
equality.
No matter how integrated and diverse
our groups seem to be, there will still be a feeling of ‘us versus them’ and
this is the belief of in groups and out groups. People will continue to
associate themselves with people that are just like them because again, people
like to be in one certain group and this continues the feeling of separation.
It is impossible to have a
completely un-racist and uniform country if we continue to have a national
value of competition over who has more worth. Everyone has an equal amount of
worth to offer to society, all it takes is the right action to show it. No one
person has more of a right to life than another, yet we still catch ourselves
seeing politicians, athletes, and celebrities as more important to us as a
national sense of identity. The way we identify these people is many times by
race.
Harms
pg. 6
The reason white person are typically
labeled as wealthy and of high esteem is because of just how they are
portrayed. There are way more commercials and billboards of white people
wearing nice clothes and driving nice cars than the poorer ones. The way
impoverished people are often portrayed in movies and television often times
are as minority races having to steal and join gangs just to survive. There are
just as many white gangsters as there are African-Americans or Latinos.
Survival of the fittest is just a way of life that is going to be around for a
long time. The two extremes of wealth and power tie in with race due to century
old hierarchies. Slavery only ended only 150 years ago and the social attitudes
of race haven’t changed much. African-Americans are still trying to prove
themselves but many are doomed to a life of poverty due to discrimination.
Salaries and job acceptance are still subject to discrimination. According to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for non-whites is twice
that of whites. This is because of job discrimination. Two people with similar
education and experience can apply for the same job but their race is what may
determine who gets the job. This can
create a social stigma that they don’t get picked because they just aren’t good
enough when really they were subjected to racial discrimination. This is a main
reason why gangs and drug trafficking are much more prevalent in poorer
neighborhoods because they have a feeling of disparity and need a sense of
worth and financial security. Anyone can be anything they want to be, they just
have to fight for it. Not let anything get in their way, including
discrimination because it will only make them a better competitor in the end.
Martin Luther King Jr. for example was
the leader behind the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement and he won his race many new
rights they had never had before. Growing he faced adversity and not even all
his downfalls could dampen his spirits. He rose above all the nay-
Harms
pg.7
sayers
and proved that determination and fighting for what you believe. He proved that
everyone has a right to their own American Dream regardless of race because in
the end, it doesn’t matter what color we are, so long as we are all American.
Our country is what brings us together, and that is what we need to focus on.
Success in this world knows no bounds, or color. Another more radical example
of rising above the rest and perhaps why there was a lot of fear of
African-Americans during this trying time in our history. He proved that the
only thing society will listen to isn’t reason and logical arguments, but violent
action that is guaranteed to grab their attention. Under the threat of arrest
and prosecution, he still grabbed society’s attention and made them listen.
Communication is key to how we associate
ourselves. Saying one thing with one group of people can be a complete insult
to another group of people. For instance a thumbs up in America is actually
grossly offensive in many Middle Eastern countries. Different interpretations
of gestures and vocabulary often can lead to misunderstandings and unintended
consequences. Certain words and actions often identify one group versus
another. One example is the use of the “N” word and other forms of it. If a
white person goes up to a group of African-Americans and calls them that word
and tries to shake their hand, then he will probably get beat up. They would be
so offended that it could lead to violent action. Every social group has their
own set of social queues that only people in that group can say or do. They
could be inside jokes or just little quirks that identify them with that group.
This can create a confusing double standard because if one group of people is
allowed to do or say something, why can’t another do the same? Isn’t that
discrimination in itself? It isn’t. Certain vocabulary and gestures often times
are sacred to one group and offensive to another is because it has a sense of
symbolism. It could be symbolic and
Harms
pg. 8
representative
of a time in their history that has defined who they are today. One reason it
is only socially acceptable for African-Americans to say the “N” word is
because that is what they were called for hundreds of years. It is resembling
of their heritage and just how far they have come. Only they know what it is like to be in that
group so when someone different just comes in and acts like they are part of
the group and it is offensive to the other members because they haven’t really
done anything to be accepted into it.
National pride is also a major factor in
the creation of separation. If everyone is proud of what makes them different,
then how can we be proud of what brings us together? People often can become so
proud of their heritage that it creates arrogance. They can become so into
themselves that they see everybody else as below them, just because they aren’t
them. They think the way the look or the way they do things is so much better
just because it’s the way they are. Even if others have proven themselves equal
physically and mentally they don’t hold it relevant. They still hold their
strong belief of national pride and everyone should be like them. This idea of
national pride supported by national institutions is impressing upon teenagers
still trying to make sense of the world. If the school they go to is supportive
of different clubs based on nationality it creates a sense that being different
and that everyone has their place in the world is socially acceptable. As if it
weren’t O.K. for people of different nationalities to collaborate and act as
one. No matter how much we try to have equality in the United States we never
will, if minorities still only want to associate with themselves rather than
everyone as a whole. Another example of this is the sheer number of all
African-American or all white colleges. It’s an awesome idea to try to bring
people of similar background together, sure. But this hinders the
Harms
pg. 9
idea
that our institutions should be more integrated. How is society supposed to
have morals of acceptance if there are still segregated and discriminating
schools?
The
idea that when two people are different they should associate themselves with
people like themselves, creating the idea of “us versus them” isn’t supported
even by our history. Take the Revolutionary War for example. We separated from
and even went to war with England on the belief that no man should be bound by
the chains of government and that this is the land of the free. Another example
is the Civil War as well. Here we had whites fighting for the freedom of
another race. Not every person of one race has a sense of racism. This
escalated to the point of brothers fighting brothers because of their own
beliefs. This is a strong argument against generalizations that not everyone of
one group has the same ideas and beliefs. The basis of our constitution and the
Bill of Rights contradicts our efforts to remove racism. The basis of these
historic documents is that citizens should be free to say, think, and do what
they please so long as the really believe whatever it is. This includes the
right to think you are superior to another. There are two compelling arguments
be it, “I can think whatever I want” or “Everyone has the right to their
pursuit of happiness, regardless of race”. So it leads to the question, how can
this be the land of the free and equal if everyone has their place in their
group? Everyone should be able to feel that they could have a place in a group if
they so choose.
In order for everyone to be the same, we
need to fix our institutions. It starts with the schools because how can we
have a tolerant future if our students today are learning the value of
separation. We need to focus on what brings us together because in the end, we
are all Americans only wanting the well-being of our country. We all crave that
feeling of belonging and self worth. People enjoy showing what they have to
offer in the world. Everyone has their
Harms
pg. 10
own
thing that they do well; their niche. Every race has a right to be here and the
right to be celebrated. Our uniqueness is something that makes us all the same.
We can all agree on the idea that everyone is different so that does make us
all the same as humans. We may all be different in ideals or appearances, but
what really matters is what makes us humans. And what makes us human is the
belief that we all have a right to personal beliefs and ideas. No one says that
it is wrong to think that you are superior to someone else because that is your
own personal belief devised by all their lifetime experiences, influences, and
generalizations. What is wrong is when you make a person feel inferior and less
of a person with certain gestures and words, just outright acts upon those
thoughts. The right to ones own opinion is something fought for years. People
have a right to feel as if they really do matter because without that one
person, nothing would be the exact same. Racism could be eliminated if we saw
each other as what makes us humans; with feelings, thoughts, and all the things
that bring us together. Fundamentally, we are all the same.
There have been great strides in
tolerance and acceptance in the past half century. Even just recently
African-Americans are starting to become more numerous and powerful in
government. As the New York Times article
“Keeping Black Voters in Their Place” quotes, “Before the 2010 election, there
were 60 Democrats in the Alabama State House, 34 of them white, 26 black. Now
there are 36 Democrats, 26 of them black, 10 of them white.” Even in the
typically white dominated government of Alabama and actually most states in the
Deep South this is a new trend that is growing because of new found tolerance
and acceptance. They accept them as worthy individuals intellectually enough
that they get voted in.
All in all, if you’re going to be a
minority any place in the world, America is the place to be it in. Sure you
might not get treated exactly the same or paid exactly the same, but is money
Harms
pg. 11
really
what makes a person? Here you can prove yourself. You have the right to go out
and try. Try and fail. Try and fail again. At least the only thing you might
lose out on is monetary goods. But you will always have your family. When I went
to Uganda this past June, it was an unforgettable trip and journey in itself.
The most important, and simplest thing I learned over there was what it truly means
to be a human. On my two week trip I did so many things like building a multi-purpose
room for a school and of course the typical touristic things. But the most profound
thing I discovered was the true happiness that culture and family bring. These people
were living in half built, barely a shed with multiple families, yet they were
some of the happiest people I have ever seen. The children were so ecstatic
just to see me, the average American. The simplest act of throwing up a soccer
ball for them seriously made their year. They got so excited over the simplest
of things. They were entranced by bubbles and crayons and acted as if balloons
were some sort of gift from God. The reason why these people were so happy and content
was because they had each other. They were proud of their country and heritage,
but they weren’t arrogant. Everybody I met over there was so friendly and
welcoming as if I was part of their family. They didn’t care that I was white,
because they saw me as the person I was. Someone with something to give and
share with the world. I wouldn’t want anyone here to live there because it is
sad the way they have to live, but I would want them to feel the same feelings I
did. The feelings that race does not matter, all that matters is what makes
you, you.
Works Cited
Erika Marquez, “Why 7 Times?”
http://emarquezrhsenglitcomp.blogspot.com/2013/11/why-7-times.html
Katy Steinmetz, “Toy Guns Deadly Consequences
http://nation.time.com/2013/10/25/toy-guns-deadly-consequences/
Mykal Bell, “Theory of Knowledge: Human
Sciences and Racism”
http://voices.yahoo.com/theory-knowledge-human-sciences-racism-6318264.html
Evan Law, Statistics on Discrimination of
Minorities
http://filipspagnoli.wordpress.com/stats-on-human-rights/statistics-on-discrimination/statistics-on-discrimination-of-minorities/
“The Meaning of the Thumbs Up Around the
World”
http://bernd.wechner.info/Hitchhiking/Thumb/
Thomas B. Edsall, “Keeping Black Voters
In Their Place”
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/05/opinion/keeping-black-voters-in-their-place.html?ref=race&_r=0
Bibliography
Quote
my grandmother once said, “Nobody knows exactly how you feel, only what you
have been through”.
Effects
of the Civil and Revolutionary Wars
Dr.
Preston’s conversations about right to opinions and what it means to have
freedoms.
Civil
Rights Movements (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X)
Many
personal thoughts and experiences.
No comments:
Post a Comment