Racial inequality is a serious problem that disproportionately impacts people of color in the USA. This system of racial discrimination relegates millions of people of color to second-class status. Millions of Americans are subject to racial discrimination every day. While racism is not considered as alarming as animal rights and global warming, hundreds of incidents of racism occur on a daily basis. In order to eliminate this problem, lawmakers must embrace a more inclusive mindset and enforce laws protecting equal rights.
Racial inequality
Racial inequality is a serious issue in the USA, but the situation in black communities is even worse. The percentage of black people living in poverty is more than double that of whites, and the black unemployment rate is nearly triple that of whites. In addition, according to a recent Federal Reserve study, the average wealth of a white household is nearly eight times higher than that of a black household. This gap has remained largely unchanged since 2016.
Moreover, four in 10 Americans say that the country has a long way to go to provide equal rights for people of color in America. While a majority of Americans think that being white gives them an advantage in society, half or more say that being black or Hispanic hurts their chances of getting ahead in life. In contrast, opinions about being Native American or Asian are mixed.
The recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis has brought attention to long-standing racial disparities in the country. The video has spurred protests around the world and renewed concerns about systemic racism in the criminal justice system. Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic, which disproportionately affects black Americans, has forced a deep reckoning in our society. Some corporations have vowed to do more to combat systemic racism, while some cities are reconsidering their funding for police departments. In addition, activists have revived calls to remove Confederate monuments and other symbols of racism.
Despite these challenges, progress is possible. Racial equality can be achieved, but it will not be achieved without awareness and action. In order to do this, Americans need to acknowledge that the disparities exist and to build a political consensus to fight them.
Systemic racism
In America today, there are many examples of systemic racism. It is an underlying phenomenon that is difficult to understand and is embedded in our stories, laws, and institutions. It makes life much harder for people of color. Activists such as documentary filmmaker Jordan Thierry are working to correct this legacy.
This systemic racism is the result of power relationships between groups. People in power tend to limit the resources available to other groups, which results in unfair treatment. As a result, racialized groups experience discrimination in their employment prospects. This is often unnoticed by the people who make the decisions, since they have too many other concerns to pay attention to race.
As a first step, U.S. political leaders should condemn systemic racism and take decisive action to implement human rights principles in the country. This will include redistributing public resources and paying reparations to people of African descent. This would be a step towards eliminating systemic racism in the USA.
Another aspect of systemic racism in the USA is the prevalence of redlining. This tactic began in the 1930s and made it difficult for minority families to access basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. In some cases, these practices even resulted in the refusal of a mortgage. This tactic was most aggressive in Baltimore, where 70% of people from the red neighborhoods were considered low-income minority families.
Blackface
Recent scandals have renewed the debate over blackface, a deeply racist practice that has dehumanized black people. Although Northam and Herring have defended their actions by arguing that they were the product of “youthful stupidity,” others argue that blackface is a deeply rooted practice and should be banned.
In the United States, blackface was first used during the Civil War to create a racial stereotype for white audiences. Minstrel shows featured white actors in blackface, which distorted African American culture and language. Many whites benefited from this demeaning portrayal, as it reinforced their superiority.
In the 1960s, American society began to change and become more racially diverse, but many Americans resisted change. However, the use of blackface is still pervasive in the United States today. Many schools do not teach about the history of blackface, so Americans can learn about it by reading books and attending college courses about African American history. As the United States has become more diverse, blackface is not as prevalent as it once was. However, some white people have begun to wear blackface to impersonate black heroes.
There are many incidents of blackface in the United States, but the list would be too long if we included all cases. Despite this, the controversy continues to rage, and it is important to understand why it continues to exist.
Internalization of racism
Internalization of racism in the USA is a complex phenomenon, characterized by a wide range of effects. While it has been primarily observed in African-Americans in the United States, internalized racism is also common in other parts of the world. Some of the most common symptoms include racism-related anxiety and depression, and feelings of worthlessness.
Interpersonal racism is a less common form of racism than institutionalized racism, which involves systematic exclusion of substantial numbers of members of a group from the foundational institutions of society. For instance, “universal suffrage” in North America excluded Indigenous men, and Indigenous women did not receive the right to vote until the 1960s.
There are various ways to recognize and deal with internalized racism. It often manifests itself as a range of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. These are often ignored, and the culture in which they exist fails to acknowledge the role of structural racism in promoting social stratification. Furthermore, it can manifest itself as negative stereotypes and slurs.
Internalized racism can be directly addressed in clinical psychology. Psychologists tend to focus on overt racism, but they are also becoming increasingly aware of the microaggressions experienced by Black patients.
Impact of racism on health
Racism has a long-standing and persistent legacy in the United States, affecting health among Black Americans and others in many ways. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, racial health disparities were further amplified. To counter this trend, teaching hospitals must focus on mitigating the factors driving racial bias and addressing social determinants of health.
Research shows that living in a racially segregated neighborhood affects one’s health. Black people are more likely than whites to experience food deserts, poor access to clean water, and unhealthy living conditions. They are also far more likely to live in neighborhoods with high poverty and higher rates of occupational hazards than whites. They are also more likely to work in front-line jobs, which exposes them to more harmful hazards. All of these factors contribute to poor health.
In addition to physical risks, racism can also lead to stress. Stress is often caused by sudden, unexpected, or repeated microaggressions, and can cause a host of health problems. This is one reason that studies link racism with physical problems such as higher blood pressure. Racism, in many cases, causes people to feel ‘othered’ or strange to others.
In addition to affecting physical health, racism also impacts economic opportunity. It can prevent people from receiving adequate healthcare or participating in scientific studies.
Strategies to address racism
There are numerous strategies to address racism in the USA, including recognizing its existence and actively working to eliminate it. One of the most effective is to be an ally to targeted groups. Racism is a societal phenomenon, and it affects all of us. Rather than condemning it, we should focus on addressing its root causes.
Systematic racism affects all parts of society, from education to banking. It disproportionately affects the lives of Black people. They have difficulty accessing quality housing, suffer disproportionate numbers of incarceration, and have poorer access to healthcare. They also earn less money than whites, and their chances of obtaining a good job are significantly lower.
The root cause of racism is a system that integrates economic, political, and social factors. This system creates inequal opportunities, which leads to discrimination in the criminal justice system. It also contributes to a system of governance that favors white people. For example, voting systems in the United States empower white citizens while disenfranchise people of color.
One of the most effective strategies to address racism in the USA is involving community members in the process. Organizing conversations with community leaders will help them learn more about their experiences and gain insight about how to combat racism in their community. These conversations will also provide valuable networking opportunities. Furthermore, they will help community leaders to publicly let racists know that their community does not tolerate them. The next step is to engage local government, business, education, and other leaders in the process.
