Sightings of Racism, Essay Example

Racism can be defined as “a belief or doctrine where inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement” (Dictionary.com, 2013). Racist people typically feel superior due to their race, ethnic background, religious viewpoints, or economic standing. They typically look down upon others who are of different races, ethnic backgrounds, religions or economic standings for no reason other than because they feel they are superior.

Popular racist groups in the history of America include the Black Panthers, the Ku Klux Klan, the Hell’s Angels, and various organized crime groups such as gangs like the Bloods and the Crypts, as well as the Irish Mafia and the Italian mob.

Although racism is not as focused on as it was in certain times in America’s history, such as the Civil war, when slavery was at a peak and blacks were forced to work for whites until the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Unfortunately, the Civil war didn’t end racism in America, and neither did the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, racism in America is still as prevalent as ever.

The best example for racism in America today probably revolves around the promotion of hatred towards Muslims. Whether watching the liberal media on television, reading the daily paper, browsing social media or basically just going ones normal day, people all across America are being constantly being bombarded with more and more reasons to look at Muslims in a negative light.

The increase in Muslim hatred really began to increase after September 11, when al-Qaeda flew two planes into the world trade center towers, killing thousands and injuring thousands of more innocent civilians. Although after the attacks, the country grew together for the most part, an ugly pattern emerged- an epidemic of Muslim hatred.

American citizens began to protest mosques (places where Muslims go to worship), they put together protests to get Muslims out of their town, they burnt down homes and places of worship where Muslims lived and went to pray and they definitely gave off the impression that Muslims were not wanted in America.

The liberal media was the driving force behind this growing fear of Muslims. CNN, MSNBC, FOX News and more all were portraying Muslims in a negative light, as if the entire race caused the attacks.

“Politicians and the media have mainly exacerbated negative impressions of Muslims. As Andrea Elliott, a reporter on Islam in America for the New York Times, told the HPR, “In the aftermath of 9/11, Islam and terrorism became almost synonymous in the media.” The media’s focus on a few cases of homegrown terrorist activity since 9/11 also heightened fears that radical Islam was widespread among American Muslims” (Patel, 2010).

Eleven years after the September 11th attacks, Muslim and Islamic hatred is still a main focus of mainstream media. People seem to be easily impressioned by the news and the information provided to them by the journalists on television.

America needs to take a good hard look at how they view and judge people, and before they go pointing fingers at people, they should be sure they their own hands are clean.

Resources:

“Racism.” Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 06 May 2013.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism

Patel, Neil. “Do Americans Fear Muslims?” Harvard Political Review RSS. N.p., 4 Nov. 2011. Web. 06 May 2013. http://harvardpolitics.com/united-states/do-americans-ear-muslims/