Racism in the United States
The Social Issue - Racism. Does it still exist today?
"The first step in solving a problem is to recognize it does exist." -Zig Ziglar
The answer is yes. Racism is still present today and it is a significant social issue today in the 21st century but, it has existed for much longer throughout our human history. It affects basic human rights and manifests itself in different forms such as discrimination, prejudice, racial segregation, stereotyping, and hate crimes which can be acts of violence, physical or emotional harm, or death. Racism, no matter how casual, ruins lives.
One thing stands clear as well. That as we look around us in our modern times we have developed into a proficient society with countless advances in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Yet it is apparent that many people continue to think very closed minded when it comes to equality and diversity. It is important that we become aware of this social issue so that we may broaden our understanding and challenge the way we perceive others to abolish this negative thinking.
The Research - What is racism?
Racism takes on different forms in various parts of the world. In different countries race is not a big issue as it is in America. We can see this in just about any application, survey, or inquiry in the US that asks us about our race. In other countries, such questions are not probed and people accept those of different colors. It is because race is a social construct, this need to place people under categories and labels when we are so much more than that. With Trump elected as President of the United States, I have observed through news outlets, social media, and personal experience that many racist people have revealed their true hateful colors. This just makes it clearer that racism is still alive to this very day.
The effects of racism in American history can be seen with hate crimes that white people have committed against African-Americans through lynching. We see similar events to this today with police brutality and the death of African-American men and women. Although racism is very much focused on blacks in America it exists against religious beliefs such as with stereotyping and profiling that all Musterroriststerroists after 9/11 attacks. These incidents relate to our society and are part of what is known as institutional racism.
According to Ali Rattansi in the book Racism: a very short introduction the author writes that "The idea of ‘institutional racism’ goes back to the late 1960s in the USA...the individual attitudes, motivations, and behaviour of ordinary white people were racist or not, all whites benefited from social structures and organizational patterns which continually disadvantaged blacks while allowing whites to stay well ahead in living standards, including housing, health and life span, neighbourhood amenities and safety, educational facilities and achievement, level of employment, and income and wealth." (104). In other words, Rattansi is examining the systematic racism that places barriers for people of color, in this case, black people. The opportunities and outcomes for white and minorities or people of color are not equal because of the attitudes people have based on appearances.
My Personal Relevance
I have observed that racism is a major social issue that directly affects my community as well as myself. This social issue is relevant to me because of who I am. I am considered a minority person in many ways - from my ethnicity to my sexuality, to just my economic status. But these labels that society, people, or I give myself do not completely define who I am as an individual or as a human being.
As a Mexican-American born in the United States from two Mexican immigrant parents and growing up in a low-income household, there were many obstacles I faced. The one that stands out the most to me was how I was bullied for being a lot more browner than the rest of my classmates. It helped me grow a thicker skin as I become conscious that I was different. Even now as a college student I feel that when I attend dance concerts, or music/theatre shows or events that broaden my knowledge that there are people around me who judge me. It is here that I actually see myself as a minority for being the only brown person in a room of white people. Then I get stares from older white people in situations like these which says more about them. They question why a person of color can be in places that have been primarily filled with white people.
I strongly believe that people need to be more aware of this issue because we should not discriminate people based on their color or appearance. To believe that one race is superior to others is idiotic. All human beings were made equal. I understand that through economic status there are people who grow up with better opportunities to become successful. Ultimately, a large issue such as racism becomes everyone's concern. This means that if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. If you are not indisputably committed to anti-racism, you are racist. Diversity is vital for our society as it allows us to learn different perspectives and respect many cultures.
Community Voices
After conducting research on this topic, I went out into my community to locate individuals that were affected by this social issue. I presented the information to my Cal State LA colleagues and asked them their point of view. I went ahead and documented their comments along with a photo of themselves. Here are their comments.
Patrick Kong - Theatre major, Junior
(San Jose, CA)
"What is the definition of race? When people look into another person's face, the first thing they see should be their eyes, nose, and lips. However, the majority of the time people would look at the person's skin color before they even notice anything else on the person's distinct features. There are many glaring racial issues and stereotypes that people of color face. Race doesn't label and it doesn't describe who you are as a person. Your facial features, your personality, and your own self, are the only things that describe who you are. I believe that everyone is beautiful in their own way and the color of your skin is an amenity of beautiful. Quote: Be your own kind of Beautiful."
Taylor Bowen - Dance major, Junior
(Ojai, CA)
"I am Filipino and Caucasian. I think that racism is taught in our society. Even though I am half white and half Filipino, people only see my brown skin and that affects the way they see me or talk to me. To me, racism is a sign of ignorance and a self-centered state of mind. No matter what the color of your skin is, everyone should be treated equally and not thought of as less of a human being based on a skin color."
Briana Lozada - Dance major, Junior(Upland, CA)
"Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome." -Rosa Parks. "I believe that change can happen [by] starting with addressing how it is being taught. People have talked, treated, or looked at me different just because of how I look. It needs to stop and we need to jump and take a leap of faith and be free from the restrainment of racism."
A Call to Action - Change Comes from Within
Change must happen and the only way we can stop racism is if we start that change from within, with ourselves. We must learn to become accepting of different perspectives, ideas, and beliefs and be in the practice of opening our hearts and minds to love others by finding a common ground. This can be achieved by not having preconceived ideas or notions about another human being based on their skin pigmentation, hair or eye color, religious or cultural background, or ethnicity. We should avoid judging others before we get to meet them. I encourage you to get to know and talk to new people every day, even a smile can brighten up a person's day. Who knows, you might just end up making a new friend.
Work Cited
Ramon Grosfoguel. "What Is Racism?" Journal of World-Systems Research, vol. 22, no. 1, 2016, pp. 9-15
Rattansi, Ali. Racism: a Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2007.
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