Racism Under Covered In America, Research Paper Example

The problem of racism in America can be described as a moral and a political issue¹. It is moral in that it affects the morals of the society and it is political in that it is always associated with politics. The problem has huge effects and implications on the affected persons. Racism makes people feel out of the society and their productivity is greatly reduced². The government should institute measures and responses to deal both with the social and political issues that are inherent in racism. Failure to do this the moral and political vices of racism shall continue to persist in the society³.

The affections men have and their thoughts cannot be controlled in the society; their hates and prejudices cannot be legislated on. What can be controlled are only the actions of men⁴. Where the law dictates what to do, people in the society will do that; however, there are instances where the actions to be done are influenced by the affections and the thought of man which cannot be regulated by any legislation⁵. This makes it difficult for anyone to clearly point out incidences where there is racism. It also makes it thrive and nourish in the fibre that holds the society together.

Racism exist in the American society and is not about to subside to its death bed. It exist in the education system, in the employment systems, in the housing industry, and in the banking industry to mention but a few. The existence of racism is largely due to nature of the American society. The American society is composed of people of different races, backgrounds and classes⁶. Its composition and the perception of the people are the main aspects that further it in the society. However, it is under covered in the society such that it is difficult for one to point out a clear example.

Despite the fact that racism is against the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen by France⁷, the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence⁸ and the 1948 Universal Declaration of the Human Rights⁹ which all postulate the equality of the human rights; it continues to be practised in the societies in America. The above declarations were meant to eradicate all the negative aspects that make the life of human beings difficult, these benefit are to be fully realised. There are other legislations that are designed to discourage racism. However there are others that tend to further the vice. For instance, the Federal Housing Authority allows deeds to prohibit selling of houses in certain neighbourhoods to black American¹⁰.

Hatred among people in the society continues to grow despite effort to cub this hatred. People who hate other for one or the other are a common sight in the society. This hatred is directed towards some people in the society. There are a minority of people or people with certain characteristics in the society that are hatred by the rest in the society. In the American society, hatred is directed towards the black people and the Native Americans and Hispanics¹¹.

Today, the issue of haters is quite pronounced especially between blacks and white. Thomas Sowell writes that it was safer for a white man to walk through the streets of black “ghetto” in Harlem in the 1930’s something that they would be ill advised to do today¹² (Sowell, 2006). This expresses the feeling that there exists hatred between the whites and the blacks. Black people who hate white American would be out to cause harm to them¹³. This means that racism based on the colour of our skin is very much present in America today.

A large percentage of crimes in the United States are targeted to victims of a certain ethnicity especially targeted at the Hispanics¹⁴. In the year 2005, records at the FBI shown that crimes were mainly anti-whites, anti-blacks, anti-Hispanic or anti-Jewish¹⁵. This is a clear indicator that the hatred thrives against these ethnic groups of people. Laws have been formulated to deal with these crimes that are motivated by hatred. These laws include those that define bias motivated actions as crime, laws that enhance criminal penalty, hate crime statistics collecting laws and civil cause of actions creating laws for hate crimes¹⁶.

Another superb example of haters can be seen during the 2008 presidential campaign in the United States of America. There were people who hated Obama because he is of black origin. In many adverts by his opponents, there was an idea of racism. These were those that were authored by his haters. Many black Americans did not show support for McCain, again showing that hatred and racism are based on the origin of Americans. These examples were further exhibited by the voting patterns. Obama won by landslides in areas that are predominantly occupied by black people and McCain also won in areas that were predominantly white.

In the society education is supposed to aid in eradicating vices; however at times it has been used to further these vices for instance in racism. Racism has had an effect on the hiring practices of teachers. Many back teachers are not willing to be posted to schools that have a majority of white students even though they do not disclose such. Such is demonstrated by the fact that in those schools where there are majority black students, the majority of the instructors are also black and those schools where there are a majority of white students, the majority of the teachers are also white.

Schools that re located in areas considered poor are inadequately furnished with the necessary learning facilities¹⁷. They have poor infrastructure in terms of learning classes and other physical structures. In addition, their laboratories are not well equipped and their libraries are also not well equipped with learning materials. These areas that are normally considered poor are on most occasions habited by black people or the Native American Latinos¹⁸. This shows that there exists discrimination in education towards the less privileged people in the society.

In higher institutions of learning, institutionalized racism is rampant in the American society. Racist elements in these institutions of learning are embedded in the organisational culture, structures and processes¹⁹. In these organizations, it is hard to get qualified people of colour and women in these organisations as they are structured currently.

A number of institutions of learning have started a number of approaches to deal with these racist elements in education²⁰. A number have started curriculum reforms as a way of dealing with racism. For example the University of Columbia states that core courses instructors and DeBary Committee members should consider including materials from minority cultures in the core courses²¹.

Another approach to deals with these racist elements in education was developed by Michigan University in which a group of faculty volunteers²² (FAIRTeach, 1994) developed a program to train other faculty members hoe to effectively teach in a multicultural or diverse culture classroom.

In employment, the law renders racism illegal. The Civil Rights Act of 1871 provided a remedy for deliberate racism in employment decisions by all employers both private and public²³. Several states have legislated on laws that are supposed to end racial discrimination in the employment sectors. These laws and regulation are all aimed at making sure that all American are given equal opportunities for employment in both the private and public sectors. Despite all these laws, racial discrimination exists in employment in the American Society.

Racism in employment is expressed in a number of ways including in making decisions on who to employ. Minority people on many occasions are not considered in certain positions of employment and in certain organisation. Even though this is illegal, it exists in the American Society. The government has the sole responsibility of eradicating racism.

The problem of racism in the United States of America in the housing industry is experienced by Hispanics and African American in their search for housing in the rental or in the sales markets²⁴, a nation wide study carried out in 2000 in the United States of America revealed. This study was dubbed as The Housing Discrimination Study 2000. The discrimination was faced by African American and Hispanics who were seeking to own a home or to rent a unit. The study revealed that the level of discrimination or racism against people of people from these races as being at unacceptable level²⁵. These groups of people were informed that there are no houses available to buy or rent even though it was clear that there were vacant houses and other races subsequently got the houses later on. Where they got the houses, the prices quoted were far much higher than that quoted to the white people searching for houses²⁶. This is a desperate attempt to discourage them from getting the houses. This shows the extent of racism in the housing sector.

The study also revealed that Asians and Pacific Islanders were more likely to receive adverse response on their query for houses than the whites²⁷. These discriminations were against these minority groups in availability of houses, inspection of the houses, agent encouragement and assistance in financing.

In the past, racism in the United States housing industry has been the institutional²⁸. This is where racism occurs in institution like government corporations and private companies housing.

Many white people would sacrifice everything in their disposure to ensure that they move from their neighbourhoods if such neighbourhoods are predominantly habited by Africa American²⁹. A large percentage also would not join a neighbourhood which has a many black American living in it. These results were obtained by a study carried out in Detroit³⁰. All these show how racist the America society is. Many African Americans and Hispanic in the middle levels of income find it difficult to get housing because of the prejudices that exist against them in the housing industry.

The Federal Government has had its contribution in further discriminating against the African American. The government has allowed individual to enter into deeds that prevent houses in certain estates from being sold to the African Americans³¹. This has served to further segregate the American Society among residential patterns.

In the banking industry, banks in the United States have been accused of discriminating against minority groups. In 2007, Reuters reported that former employees of the Central Bank of America had sued the Charlotte bank for discrimination against them³². In the filed law suit the complainant had said that the bank discriminates against them in promotions, support services, trainings and pay. They claimed that the bank teams only the African America together and assign them to the very low neighbourhood³³. This case is a high lighter for us to realise that these African American employees felt that they were discriminated against and as such had file a law suit.

In conclusion, the practice of racism is very much alive in the American society even though it is illegal to discriminate or to segregate a person due to his colour, race or origin. Racism exists in the education system, in the healthcare systems, in the housing industry and in the banking industry. The ways in which it exhibits itself in the society vary depending on the people, class, economic status and the situation. It is only in very few instances that one can identify when there is racism as in all other times; it is difficult to say when there is racism. This is so largely because racism is normally expressed by the emotions and thought of man which cannot be legislated on. In order to eliminate racism in the American society, it is important for all stakeholders including the government to educate every person of the contribution that the other person plays in the society regardless of their colour, race or origin.

End Notes

¹ All about popular issues. Racism in America. Site created and maintained by All About Popular issues, 2009. <http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/racism-in-america-faq.htm>

² All about popular issues. Racism in America. Site created and maintained by All About Popular issues, 2009. <http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/racism-in-america-faq.htm>

³ All about popular issues. Racism in America. Site created and maintained by All About Popular issues, 2009. <http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/racism-in-america-faq.htm>

⁴ McGrath, Stacy. “Ecological Anthropology.” Anthropological Theories: A Guide Prepared by Students for Students. 19 Oct 2001. University of Alabama. 18 Jan. 2005.

⁵ McGrath, Stacy. “Ecological Anthropology.” Anthropological Theories: A Guide Prepared by Students for Students. 19 Oct 2001. University of Alabama. 18 Jan. 2005.

⁶ McGrath, Stacy. “Ecological Anthropology.” Anthropological Theories: A Guide Prepared by Students for Students. 19 Oct 2001. University of Alabama. 18 Jan. 2005.

⁷ Crowfoot, J., & Chesler, M. The role of white men in multicultural coalitions. In Bowser & Hunt (Eds), The Impact of Racism on White Americas. Newbury Park. SAGE Press. 1993.

⁸ Pennysylvania State Universiy. Enhancing Diversity: Towards a better Campus Climate. Committee on Lesbian and Gay Concerns. 1992.

⁹ Columbia University. Columbia College on Race Relations. (Report to Dean Pallock). Washington D.C. Random.1988.

¹⁰ HUD USER. Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: National Results from Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). Site created and maintained by HUD USER. http://www.huduser.org/publications/hsgfin/hds.html

¹¹ HUD USER. Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: National Results from Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). Site created and maintained by HUD USER. http://www.huduser.org/publications/hsgfin/hds.html

¹² Sowell, T. (2006). Ethnic America. Albany. N.Y. SUNY Press, 2006

¹³ Sowell, T. (2006). Ethnic America. Albany. N.Y. SUNY Press, 2006

¹⁴ HUD USER. Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: National Results from Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). Site created and maintained by HUD USER. http://www.huduser.org/publications/hsgfin/hds.html

¹⁵ HUD USER. Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: National Results from Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). Site created and maintained by HUD USER. http://www.huduser.org/publications/hsgfin/hds.html

¹⁶ Racism and Psychology. American Psychological Association
Public Interest Directorate. Created on 24 August 2008

¹⁷ Crowfoot, J., & Chesler, M. The role of white men in multicultural coalitions. In Bowser & Hunt (Eds), The Impact of Racism on White Americas. Newbury Park. SAGE Press. 1993.

¹⁸ Columbia University. Columbia College on Race Relations. (Report to Dean Pallock). Washington D.C. Random.1988.

¹⁹ Crowfoot, J., & Chesler, M. The role of white men in multicultural coalitions. In Bowser & Hunt (Eds), The Impact of Racism on White Americas. Newbury Park. SAGE Press. 1993.

²⁰ Crowfoot, J., & Chesler, M. The role of white men in multicultural coalitions. In Bowser & Hunt (Eds), The Impact of Racism on White Americas. Newbury Park. SAGE Press. 1993.

²¹ Columbia University. Columbia College on Race Relations. (Report to Dean Pallock). Washington D.C. Random.1988.

²² FAIRTeach. Workshops Presented by FAIRTeach 1/91 – 11/94. Ann Arbor, University of Michigan. 1994.

²³ Griffin, Paul, R. & Wilmore, Gayround, S. “Seeds of Racism in the Soul of America.” . Cleveland, Ohio: The Pilgrim Press, 1999.

²⁴ HUD USER. Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: National Results from Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). Site created and

²⁵ HUD USER. Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: National Results from Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). Site created and

²⁶ HUD USER. Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: National Results from Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). Site created and

²⁷ Racism and Psychology. American Psychological Association
Public Interest Directorate. Created on 24 August 2008.  http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/racism/q13.html

²⁸ Crowfoot, J., & Chesler, M. The role of white men in multicultural coalitions. In Bowser & Hunt (Eds), The Impact of Racism on White Americas. Newbury Park. SAGE Press. 1993

²⁹ Chesler, M & Crowfoot, J. Racialism in Higher Education II: Promoting Multiculturalism in Higher Education Organizations. June 2007. Available at http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/51322/1/558.pdf

³⁰ HUD USER. Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: National Results from Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). Site created and maintained by HUD USER. http://www.huduser.org/publications/hsgfin/hds.html

³¹ HUD USER. Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: National Results from Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). Site created and maintained by HUD USER. http://www.huduser.org/publications/hsgfin/hds.html

³² Reuters, 2007. Bank of America sued for race discrimination. Created on 18 May 2007. http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1848318020070518

³³ Reuters, 2007. Bank of America sued for race discrimination. Created on 18 May 2007. http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1848318020070518

Bibliography

Griffin, Paul, R. & Wilmore, Gayround, S. “Seeds of Racism in the Soul of America.” . Cleveland, Ohio: The Pilgrim Press, 1999.

McGrath, Stacy. “Ecological Anthropology.” Anthropological Theories: A Guide Prepared by Students for Students. 19 Oct 2001. University of Alabama. 18 Jan. 2005. <http://www.as.au.edu/ant/faculty/murphy/ecologic.htm>

Columbia University. Columbia College on Race Relations. (Report to Dean Pallock). Washington D.C. Random.1988.

FAIRTeach. Workshops Presented by FAIRTeach 1/91 – 11/94. Ann Arbor, University of Michigan. 1994.

Crowfoot, J., & Chesler, M. The role of white men in multicultural coalitions. In Bowser & Hunt (Eds), The Impact of Racism on White Americas. Newbury Park. SAGE Press. 1993.

Hirsch, E. Columbia University: Individual and institutional racism. In Altbach & Lomotey (Eds), The Racial Crisis in American Higher Education. Albany, N.Y., SUNY Press, 1991.

Pennysylvania State Universiy. Enhancing Diversity: Towards a better Campus Climate. Committee on Lesbian and Gay Concerns. 1992.

Sowell, T. (2006). Ethnic America. Albany. N.Y. SUNY Press, 2006

All about popular issues. Racism in America. Site created and maintained by All About Popular issues, 2009. <http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/racism-in-america-faq.htm>

HUD USER. Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: National Results from Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 of the Housing Discrimination Study (HDS). Site created and maintained by HUD USER. http://www.huduser.org/publications/hsgfin/hds.html

Reuters, 2007. Bank of America sued for race discrimination. Created on 18 May 2007. http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1848318020070518

Racism and Psychology. American Psychological Association Public Interest Directorate. Created on 24 August 2008.  http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/racism/q13.html

Chesler, M & Crowfoot, J. Racialism in Higher Education II: Promoting Multiculturalism in Higher Education Organizations. June 2007. Available at http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/51322/1/558.pdf

Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. “Racism without racists: color-blind racism and the persistence of racial … ” Albany, N.Y., SUNY Press. 2009

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