Research Topics: Racism Examples

Racism

What is racism?   Introduction             Racism is an enduring phenomenon that has evolved with the societal changes. Yet even with the great and long-term impact of racism throughout history, such as the apartheid in South Africa and the holocaust with unprecedented death toll and violence, a commonly accepted and encompassing understanding of this concept remains elusive. Perhaps this is because of dynamism of the manifestation of racism in various socio-cultural contexts and its continuous evolution that prevents the development of a general understanding of racism. When people are asked to express their understanding of racism, different answers would arise, which are based on their respective experiences. This means that another point of difficulty in coming up with a general clarification of racism is its subject nature. However, the fact that racism occurs in various socio-cultural contexts, albeit through different manifestations, indicates that probability of identifying common intervening factors underlying these experiences of racism. This is important to be able to determine and understand the causes of racism to sway socio-cultural direction towards the arrest of the prevalence of racism and ensure common well-being of all people. This may seem utopian but it is towards the achievement of unprecedented levels of well-being that all societies hope to reach. Understanding racism involves a look into its conceptualization in existing literature and its manifestations in actual socio-cultural context, specifically in Australia to contribute to the efforts towards the development of an encompassing understanding of racism. The succeeding discussions focus on the definition of racism, manifestations of racism in Australia in relation to the distribution of power in the Australian society, and the implications of racism in Australia.  Defining Racism             The attempt to derive an encompassing definition of racism resulted to the adoption of the broad conceptualization of racism in literature. (2000) provides both a narrow and broad definition of racism but leans more towards the encompassing definition. Narrowly, racism specifically pertains to the reference to biological differences in exploiting or subjugating particular groups as spurred by imagined or real fears ( 2000). However, racist acts do not always result from a group’s commitment towards biological differences but rather these differences are used to justify exclusionary practices for other reasons under the guise of racism. This is supported by the fact that even without a framework of biological differences, racism still persists. As an example, anti-Semitism movements against the Jews emanates from reasons other than biological differences. Racism manifested through the holocaust is not primarily rooted on biological differences. Although, biological differences can result to racism, this is not the only cause of racism. This makes the narrow definition insufficient in providing an encompassing understanding of racism.             Broadly,  (2000) provides a more encompassing definition that covers racism together with other forms of domination expressed through the manifestations of heterophobia. Racism is then defined as the aggressiveness, domination, fear and hate based on imagined or real difference based on gender, gender preference, age, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and other differences. This definition provides a broader perspective able to encompass the varying manifestations and causes of racism in different socio-cultural intra and inter-group settings. This constitutes a better definition because it transcends the view relying only on biological differences as an explanation of racism. However, some criticize this definition as overly broad since it covers differences extending beyond race. This means that the definition works in explaining situations manifesting heterophobia based on racial together with other differences.             An alternative definition is provided by  (2003) that defines racism as “any attitude, action, or institutional structure or any social policy that subordinates persons or groups because of their color” (). This definition differentiates racism from other related concepts such as racial discrimination, hatred or prejudice because of the recognition of the intervention of power in the act of racism. Racist practices occurring in a broad and persisting manner occurs due to the wielding of power in a systematic manner. Racism as an application of power is exemplified in the differences in the socio-economic condition of groups belonging to different races. This definition constitutes a sound alternative because it also encompasses a wide range of manifestations of racism but is limited to fears, hatred or apprehensions based on differences in race.             To further clarify racism,  (1997) classifies the manifestations of racism into three categories. First is individual racism, which refers to attitudes or actions expressed intentionally or unintentionally, consciously or unconsciously with the effect of subordinating individuals or groups due primarily to their color. This could be overt and intentional such as through White supremacist movements or subtle and unintentional such as addressing a white individual with more respect relative to a black individual. Second is institutional racism, which is reflected in structures, policies and practices of government departments, business firms, schools, law enforcement authorities, and the other institutions that unfairly subordinate individuals or groups because of their race. Examples include housing and school segregations, discriminatory employment practices, and racial profiling in law enforcement. Third is cultural racism, which pertains to the expression of superiority of cultural heritage by an individual or institution over other groups with a different culture. An example is the imposition of white beliefs and practices on minority groups. Racism and Power Distribution in Australian Society             In Australia, there is a recognized and documented difference in the situation or position of the white population and the aborigines to the disadvantage of the latter minority group. This stems from the systematic exercise of privilege of the white majority group that finds manifestation in the lesser representation of the aborigine group is government and their lesser share in resources. Although this may be justified based on the majority needs, the extent of representation and resource sharing to the minority group is nil. Healthcare and education remains as great problems of the minority group. The manner that the exercise of privilege constitutes racism depends upon the conceptualization of privilege in application to the Australian experience.              (2000) discuss privilege as having five boundaries. First boundary is privilege as endowing special advantage to particular groups to the exclusion of other groups. This means that privilege is neither universal nor common. Second boundary is privilege as granted to one group over another. This means that privilege does not depend on individual or group effort. Third boundary is privilege as an entitlement or right linked to the preferred rank or status of the individual or group. Fourth boundary is privilege that is exercised to benefit a specific recipient towards the exclusion or harm of other people. Fifth boundary is privilege as a status that is mostly outside of the consciousness or awareness of the individual or group possessing this. In relation to racism, racial privilege has been commonly described in terms of the white-colored dichotomy (1999). This means that the exercise of privilege constitutes racism when this occurs in the context of the white-colored dichotomy.             The imposition of white dominance is proven by the historical development of Australia as a state. The aborigines were the first people to inhabit the Australian continent. As hordes of white colonizers came to the continent, the white population overpowered the Aborigines population so that the minority group was pushed to the fringes of the main Australian continent and the islands. Before the arrival of the white people in 1788, the Aborigines population numbered around 750,000. After two centuries, the Aborigines population is approximately 410,000. (2005) This number represents 2.2 percent of the total Australian population. The extreme population distribution implies that the white population dominated or controlled all aspects of societal life including resource appropriation such as land distribution, trade, education, and governance. In fact, the Aborigine population was completely excluded from societal life. This is expressed in the ‘stolen generation’ constituted by the children forcibly separated from their families and taken to live and be educated outside of the settlement (Black & Stone 2005). This policy was without the consent or cooperation of the Aborigine population. It was also only during the 1970s that the commonwealth and state government recognized the policies of land rights and self-determination of the Aborigine population. Even so, the actual implementation of these policies remains problematic since fertile and industrial lands have already been appropriated and centuries of imposition of exclusionary dominance have resulted to an Aborigine population with limited means and infrastructures to apply self-determination.             In employment, the Aborigine population has an unemployment rate that is more than double the unemployment rate of the white population even if there is a lower level of participation of the white population (2005). This is due to the minimal employment opportunities for the Aborigine population that is linked to the low education rates of the minority group with most of the population finishing only primary education. In healthcare, the Aborigine population has an average life expectancy that is 20 years less than that of the white population. This is largely due to the lack of healthcare services to the minority population. The poor socio-economic status of the minority population also influenced the high rates of alcohol and substance abuse, indicative of the lack of relative power of this minority group.             Apart from the Aborigine group, Australia also hosts other minority groups that have migrated to the country. In fact, the number of the other minority groups exceeds the total population of the Aborigines. However, there are striking differences in the experiences of the other minority groups when compared to the Aborigine group. Similarities include similar experiences of white cultural domination in terms of socio-economic conditions while differences encompass the higher education levels of the other minority groups resulting to more employment opportunities and other ways of integrating into the mainstream Australian society.             By looking at the characteristics of the Australian society in relation to the concepts of racism and privilege, it can be said that the white population has practiced racism commencing with the colonization of the continent resulting to discrimination of the Aborigine people and continuing with institutional racism through an exclusionary government that placed the Aborigine population into a settlement and forced children to convert into the white culture. Socio-economic dominance of the white population encompasses individual, institutional and cultural racism. Racism exists in the Australian society because the white population experience and hold on to privileges to the exclusion of the minority groups. Following the description of  (1997), racism can be conscious or unconscious so that even if the white population does not recognize or consciously practice racism, this does not mean that it is non-existent.   Conclusion             Although racism exists in the Australian society, major developments have propelled Australia to embrace multiculturalism more.  (2000) provides that at least 60 percent of the Australian population have mixed ethnicity and 20 percent of this number have an ancestry belonging to four ethnic groups. This means that in terms of population, Australia has become multicultural indicating the tipping of the exercise or experience of privilege towards a more equitable expression that cuts across race or ethnicity. This major development should also change individual dealings and institutional infrastructures to accommodate different races forming part of Australian society.  (2000) provides that the consideration of racism should shift towards the triangular perspective that considers the cross-influence of different races. This means that as much as the white population in Australia has influenced the Aborigine and other ethnic groups, these minority groups have also greatly influenced the majority population in so many ways. However, change is protracted and occurs in various levels. Since racism occurs on the individual or institutional level, changing the perspective of racism to the conscious cooperation towards common well-being through the integration of the respective contributions of different ethnic groups to the Australian society could start with individual change. Change necessitates an understanding and recognition of racism and the reasons for racist practices. By having an open mind, racists that are relatively nice to some groups more than others would recognize the lack of justification for their actions and greater cause for embracing multiculturalism.     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Racism

What is racism? Introduction Racism is an enduring phenomenon that has evolved with the societal changes. Yet even with t...

What is racism?

What is racism?   Introduction             Racism is an enduring phenomenon that has evolved with the societal changes. Yet even with the great and long-term impact of racism throughout history, such as the apartheid in South Africa and the holocaust with unprecedented death toll and violence, a commonly accepted and encompassing understanding of this concept remains elusive. Perhaps this is because of dynamism of the manifestation of racism in various socio-cultural contexts and its continuous evolution that prevents the development of a general understanding of racism. When people are asked to express their understanding of racism, different answers would arise, which are based on their respective experiences. This means that another point of difficulty in coming up with a general clarification of racism is its subject nature. However, the fact that racism occurs in various socio-cultural contexts, albeit through different manifestations, indicates that probability of identifying common intervening factors underlying these experiences of racism. This is important to be able to determine and understand the causes of racism to sway socio-cultural direction towards the arrest of the prevalence of racism and ensure common well-being of all people. This may seem utopian but it is towards the achievement of unprecedented levels of well-being that all societies hope to reach. Understanding racism involves a look into its conceptualization in existing literature and its manifestations in actual socio-cultural context, specifically in Australia to contribute to the efforts towards the development of an encompassing understanding of racism. The succeeding discussions focus on the definition of racism, manifestations of racism in Australia in relation to the distribution of power in the Australian society, and the implications of racism in Australia.  Defining Racism             The attempt to derive an encompassing definition of racism resulted to the adoption of the broad conceptualization of racism in literature.  (2000) provides both a narrow and broad definition of racism but leans more towards the encompassing definition. Narrowly, racism specifically pertains to the reference to biological differences in exploiting or subjugating particular groups as spurred by imagined or real fears (2000). However, racist acts do not always result from a group’s commitment towards biological differences but rather these differences are used to justify exclusionary practices for other reasons under the guise of racism. This is supported by the fact that even without a framework of biological differences, racism still persists. As an example, anti-Semitism movements against the Jews emanates from reasons other than biological differences. Racism manifested through the holocaust is not primarily rooted on biological differences. Although, biological differences can result to racism, this is not the only cause of racism. This makes the narrow definition insufficient in providing an encompassing understanding of racism.             Broadly,  (2000) provides a more encompassing definition that covers racism together with other forms of domination expressed through the manifestations of heterophobia. Racism is then defined as the aggressiveness, domination, fear and hate based on imagined or real difference based on gender, gender preference, age, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and other differences. This definition provides a broader perspective able to encompass the varying manifestations and causes of racism in different socio-cultural intra and inter-group settings. This constitutes a better definition because it transcends the view relying only on biological differences as an explanation of racism. However, some criticize this definition as overly broad since it covers differences extending beyond race. This means that the definition works in explaining situations manifesting heterophobia based on racial together with other differences.             An alternative definition is provided by  (2003) that defines racism as “any attitude, action, or institutional structure or any social policy that subordinates persons or groups because of their color” (). This definition differentiates racism from other related concepts such as racial discrimination, hatred or prejudice because of the recognition of the intervention of power in the act of racism. Racist practices occurring in a broad and persisting manner occurs due to the wielding of power in a systematic manner. Racism as an application of power is exemplified in the differences in the socio-economic condition of groups belonging to different races. This definition constitutes a sound alternative because it also encompasses a wide range of manifestations of racism but is limited to fears, hatred or apprehensions based on differences in race.             To further clarify racism,  (1997) classifies the manifestations of racism into three categories. First is individual racism, which refers to attitudes or actions expressed intentionally or unintentionally, consciously or unconsciously with the effect of subordinating individuals or groups due primarily to their color. This could be overt and intentional such as through White supremacist movements or subtle and unintentional such as addressing a white individual with more respect relative to a black individual. Second is institutional racism, which is reflected in structures, policies and practices of government departments, business firms, schools, law enforcement authorities, and the other institutions that unfairly subordinate individuals or groups because of their race. Examples include housing and school segregations, discriminatory employment practices, and racial profiling in law enforcement. Third is cultural racism, which pertains to the expression of superiority of cultural heritage by an individual or institution over other groups with a different culture. An example is the imposition of white beliefs and practices on minority groups. Racism and Power Distribution in Australian Society             In Australia, there is a recognized and documented difference in the situation or position of the white population and the aborigines to the disadvantage of the latter minority group. This stems from the systematic exercise of privilege of the white majority group that finds manifestation in the lesser representation of the aborigine group is government and their lesser share in resources. Although this may be justified based on the majority needs, the extent of representation and resource sharing to the minority group is nil. Healthcare and education remains as great problems of the minority group. The manner that the exercise of privilege constitutes racism depends upon the conceptualization of privilege in application to the Australian experience.             (2000) discuss privilege as having five boundaries. First boundary is privilege as endowing special advantage to particular groups to the exclusion of other groups. This means that privilege is neither universal nor common. Second boundary is privilege as granted to one group over another. This means that privilege does not depend on individual or group effort. Third boundary is privilege as an entitlement or right linked to the preferred rank or status of the individual or group. Fourth boundary is privilege that is exercised to benefit a specific recipient towards the exclusion or harm of other people. Fifth boundary is privilege as a status that is mostly outside of the consciousness or awareness of the individual or group possessing this. In relation to racism, racial privilege has been commonly described in terms of the white-colored dichotomy (1999). This means that the exercise of privilege constitutes racism when this occurs in the context of the white-colored dichotomy.             The imposition of white dominance is proven by the historical development of Australia as a state. The aborigines were the first people to inhabit the Australian continent. As hordes of white colonizers came to the continent, the white population overpowered the Aborigines population so that the minority group was pushed to the fringes of the main Australian continent and the islands. Before the arrival of the white people in 1788, the Aborigines population numbered around 750,000. After two centuries, the Aborigines population is approximately 410,000. (2005) This number represents 2.2 percent of the total Australian population. The extreme population distribution implies that the white population dominated or controlled all aspects of societal life including resource appropriation such as land distribution, trade, education, and governance. In fact, the Aborigine population was completely excluded from societal life. This is expressed in the ‘stolen generation’ constituted by the children forcibly separated from their families and taken to live and be educated outside of the settlement (2005). This policy was without the consent or cooperation of the Aborigine population. It was also only during the 1970s that the commonwealth and state government recognized the policies of land rights and self-determination of the Aborigine population. Even so, the actual implementation of these policies remains problematic since fertile and industrial lands have already been appropriated and centuries of imposition of exclusionary dominance have resulted to an Aborigine population with limited means and infrastructures to apply self-determination.             In employment, the Aborigine population has an unemployment rate that is more than double the unemployment rate of the white population even if there is a lower level of participation of the white population ( 2005). This is due to the minimal employment opportunities for the Aborigine population that is linked to the low education rates of the minority group with most of the population finishing only primary education. In healthcare, the Aborigine population has an average life expectancy that is 20 years less than that of the white population. This is largely due to the lack of healthcare services to the minority population. The poor socio-economic status of the minority population also influenced the high rates of alcohol and substance abuse, indicative of the lack of relative power of this minority group.             Apart from the Aborigine group, Australia also hosts other minority groups that have migrated to the country. In fact, the number of the other minority groups exceeds the total population of the Aborigines. However, there are striking differences in the experiences of the other minority groups when compared to the Aborigine group. Similarities include similar experiences of white cultural domination in terms of socio-economic conditions while differences encompass the higher education levels of the other minority groups resulting to more employment opportunities and other ways of integrating into the mainstream Australian society.             By looking at the characteristics of the Australian society in relation to the concepts of racism and privilege, it can be said that the white population has practiced racism commencing with the colonization of the continent resulting to discrimination of the Aborigine people and continuing with institutional racism through an exclusionary government that placed the Aborigine population into a settlement and forced children to convert into the white culture. Socio-economic dominance of the white population encompasses individual, institutional and cultural racism. Racism exists in the Australian society because the white population experience and hold on to privileges to the exclusion of the minority groups. Following the description of  (1997), racism can be conscious or unconscious so that even if the white population does not recognize or consciously practice racism, this does not mean that it is non-existent.   Conclusion             Although racism exists in the Australian society, major developments have propelled Australia to embrace multiculturalism more.  (2000) provides that at least 60 percent of the Australian population have mixed ethnicity and 20 percent of this number have an ancestry belonging to four ethnic groups. This means that in terms of population, Australia has become multicultural indicating the tipping of the exercise or experience of privilege towards a more equitable expression that cuts across race or ethnicity. This major development should also change individual dealings and institutional infrastructures to accommodate different races forming part of Australian society.  (2000) provides that the consideration of racism should shift towards the triangular perspective that considers the cross-influence of different races. This means that as much as the white population in Australia has influenced the Aborigine and other ethnic groups, these minority groups have also greatly influenced the majority population in so many ways. However, change is protracted and occurs in various levels. Since racism occurs on the individual or institutional level, changing the perspective of racism to the conscious cooperation towards common well-being through the integration of the respective contributions of different ethnic groups to the Australian society could start with individual change. Change necessitates an understanding and recognition of racism and the reasons for racist practices. By having an open mind, racists that are relatively nice to some groups more than others would recognize the lack of justification for their actions and greater cause for embracing multiculturalism.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

What is racism?

What is racism? Introduction Racism is an enduring phenomenon that has evolved with the societal changes. Yet even with t...

SOCIAL PROBLEM: RACISM

Racism as a social problem It is widely believed that racism remains a major international problem at the dawn of the twenty-first century. The term is used in some countries and in some circles to describe hostility and discrimination directed against a group for virtually any reason. Racism survives even in the carefully delineated sense that has governed the study of its history. The Holocaust and decolonization may have permanently discredited what can be called as overtly racist regimes, but this good news should not be inflated into a belief that racism itself is dead or even dying (, 2002). Group inequalities associated with what are taken to be indelible marks of inferior or unworthy ancestry can exist without having the full apparatus of the modern state to sustain them. The legacy of the past racism directed at blacks in the United States is more like a bacillus that people have failed to destroy, a live germ that not only continues to make some people ill but retains the capacity to generate new strains of a disease for which people have no certain cure. If racism is not dead, it is less intense and intellectually respectable than it was a century or even a half-century ago (, 2002).    But human beings continue to mistreat other human beings on the basis of their ethnic identities. Although it takes much more than rational persuasion to overcome racism, the fact that its foundations are subject to empirical falsification does make it more fragile than the incontrovertible and unquestioning faith demanded by sectarian or fundamentalist religion. Along with the dissemination of the truth about human physical differences, the struggle against racism also requires that stigmatized groups have enforceable civil rights, political empowerment in proportion to their numbers, and equal opportunity in education and employment (, 2002). Racism has been the problem for the society since time immemorial. It has created human conflicts and it caused world wars. Measures have been used by society to counter such problems but it continues to exist in society and in every culture in the world. Racism involves not only the outcast of people not having the same color as the general public, it involves setting aside people with a different culture, tradition or birth place. Racism happens in private and public agencies, entertainment institutions and even in the media.   Ecological Perspective Ecological perspective places individuals and their problems in their larger human and social contexts. Individuals are engaged in constant, reciprocal transactions with other human beings and other systems. In contrast to traditional psychological theory that conceptualizes individual problems as originating within the individual psyche, ecological theory looks to the interface of the person with the larger environment for the origin of individual problems and their solutions. Human behavior cannot be understood except in the context of the multiple connections and interactions that individuals have within their own human ecology (, 2004). In an ecological perspective racism starts from the innate characteristic of human beings to be threatened by people not belonging to their same class or race. When someone from another race tries to interfere with their affairs, the natural response of humans is to retaliate by rejecting the other persons desire to interact with them. Humans have a natural instinct of concern that another person not belonging to their race may surpass their achievements and steal their group from them. When they feel that the person is better than them, they set them aside. Humans also have the tendency to outcast any person not having the same race as them because they have fears that the other person may have better look than them.   Labeling perspective In some cases opponents of the labeling perspective have argued that it fails to provide an explanatory framework from which to understand deviance. Despite the fact labeling theory has never intended to explain the causes of deviance, many still call attention to this as a weakness. Others have focused attention on the limitations of the perspective to define exactly what theorists mean by the societal reaction (,  & , 1999). In a labeling perspective racism comes when a group of individuals label a person for what other members of his race have done. A black person may experience racism when other people see him/her as someone who steals like other black people. The color of the person is not used as a source of racism but the label of what the other black people has done.  An Asian person maybe set aside not because of his/her race but because some people label Asians as those people who make counterfeit products. References Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

SOCIAL PROBLEM: RACISM

Racism as a social problem It is widely believed that racism remains a major international problem at the dawn of the twenty-first centur...

Indigenous Peoples of the World

Indigenous Peoples of the World (Assignment 2)               The situation of Native Americans in the United States, in relation to how they would avail of their rights as citizens is based on the blood quantum the government has proposed long before. Blood quantum refers to the amount of Indian blood that is present in an individual, which becomes their basis to avail of civil rights. This applies to individuals who do not belong to a recognized tribe. However, due to intermarriage, the amount of Indian blood that can be detected in the biological systems of individuals may continue to decrease, thus, eventually limiting their rights in the state. This is considered to be a major problem that is being faced by Native Americans and all those who are recognized to be part Native Americans, for they are not given their rights due to their ethnicity, which must not be the basis for civil rights. With this, not all citizens having Native American ethnicity are entitled with the rights they are supposed to be getting from the U.S. government.             On the other hand, the situation of Native Americans in Brazil is more favorable compared to the situation of Native Americans in the United States. In Brazil, all Native American are entitled the rights given to other citizens in the country, such as the right to vote, right to be elected, right for a government position, right to use their own native language, right to equal law, right to pay taxes, and right to gain credit or profit, given that they have their own identification cards. In simple terms, a Native American is entitled all the civil rights in Brazil, provided he or she has an identification card, which serves as a proof that the individual is a Brazilian citizen.             With this, it can be understood that more liberty is given to the Native Americans in Brazil compared to the Native Americans in the United States. In the United States, certain conditions, such as the Indian blood quantum must still be met before a Native American is able to attain civil rights and be recognized by the U.S. government. In contrary, the only requirement the Brazilian government call for is the identification card, which also recognizes the ethnicity of a Native American. From this, it can be observed that racism and inequality still exists in the society of the United States, despite their actions and laws on discrimination and inequality. In addition, the rights that can be availed by Native Americans in the United States still depends on the specific laws in particular states, thus, observing inequality and injustice among the Native Americans. Moreover, the U.S. government is also supporting other governments from different parts of the world, which restricts the provision of civil rights to Native Americans through blood quantum. From this, it can be clearly seen that the U.S. government does not completely uphold equality and justice among all the races, cultures, and ethnicities in their nation, which becomes one of the causes of outrage, chaos and disorder in the United States. I believe that for peace and order to be truly upheld in the society, equality and justice must be evidently shown, reinforced, and implemented, regardless of race, culture and native origin. This can be proven with the equal treatment of all citizens residing the United States and other countries, for that matter, without existing conditions and requirements, such as the blood quantum. The rights of any individual must not be dependent on the amount of native blood present in the biological system, but on the services and loyalty, that one renders to a specific country. With this, anyone would be given the chance to become successful and live peacefully and normally in any society.            Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Indigenous Peoples of the World

Indigenous Peoples of the World (Assignment 2) The situation of Native Americans in the United States, in relation to how ...

Racism as a Social Problem

Racism: a social a problem                            1. Introduction             Racism – a prejudice or animosity against the people who are belonging to the other races. It is also a belief that the people of the different races have different qualities and the abilities and the other races are said to be superior or inferior it is as well a social problem that has been occurred many years ago and also passed through many changes. Furthermore, it is the known as the generalizing definition as well as the valuation of the biological differences; it can be real or ordinary, in the advantage of the one defining as well as deploying to them, to the detriment of the one that  is subjected to that act of definition, in the justifying end it can be social or physical hostility and assault. Slavery is one of the oldest and yet the most harmful of all. In the early 16th century, Peru had encountered the inhuman way of slavery in the colonial economic system which finally introduced the great and the never ended debate concerning to the questions of human rights. The important personalities including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Baptist pastor and also Nobel Laureate, led the struggle for the civil rights in the United States until its assassination in 1968. Racism is a phenomenon with continues risen through two opposite opinions and always intense confrontations when it comes to the black citizens. Many people support the human rights to everyone as the same. There are many instances on how the black citizens had been treated through the years by the white citizens. This had happened because there some of the people believed that the black people are thought to represent the society as the lower rank compared to the whites. In the earlier days of the 20th century, the image of racism was largely black and white. Today, racism had become multi-colored as well as multicultural. With the high increase of diverse populations who entered and maintain the communities all over the country, racism had expanded and includes the antagonism between the people of many cultures.               In the 21st century had brought many attempts changes in the society. There are legislations and memorandum which is against the discrimination in its many forms. The     affirmative action had been used as a key to the assurance of the individuals’ equality and opportunity for employment, for the housing, and for the other types of advancements. The television shows also had changed formats and characters to have a political correctness. Nevertheless, the society intelligently and pleasantly maintains its separate point of views in the issues regarding the races. Ancient barriers still exist owing to the truth that it is still not possible to legislate the hearts of men. There will always be those citizens who will fight for the change while the others resist, which seeks to maintain the status quo. These are all issues of the economy, the power, and the control which is not easily relinquished. Inasmuch as racism is still an institutional ideology, there still no improvement unless many individuals work and unite towards it. 2. Perspective on the Racism ( Ecological and Labeling)              In the further study of the racism it has been detect that as an ideology the racism had been lessen in the time of 1940s, though some of the countries including the South Africa it has been supported of the political leadership. When it comes to the talk of the other countries this will remain as a plane mythology. The overwhelming majority of the scientific opinion in the social as well as biological sciences, however, now rejects the notion that the large human populations, this includes the so-called white, black, and yellow races as well, behave differently this is because of their physical appearance, or  they can be said to be as genetically superior or inferior to one another. Genetic differences between the population groups do exist, of course. None of these group differences had yet been shown to affect the personality, intelligence, as well as any ability that significantly can relate to the social behavior.             The example of  how the discrimination on the black people by the other races is happened last on the 1st day of February on the year 1960 were there are four African American college students who sat at a Woolworth lunch counter at the Greensboro, North Carolina. Though the patrons which were black can purchased in the others areas of the store still they were served at the food counter.             Taking other example of what happened in the Britain as one of the situation of the effect of the racism in the environment wherein the black and the Asian people who’s having a hard time looking for the job. The jobseekers had no longer contended with the problems stemming from their recent arrival. The laws which is against the discrimination of the in the employment had been in the place for over the decade. Looking at the background of the stability and the formal rights, the minority ethnic groups of the Britons were expecting to take up the same opportunities in the employment to enjoy by the people. All of the expected they suggest the changes in the employment pattern of the black people. This lead to nowhere and they are converging with the employments patterns of whites and the earlier injustice as well as the imbalances that continue setting the boundaries within the change can occur. ()             In accordance to the to Goldenberg David Theo, the racist culture along with the laws there are many programs that had been made and though the absence of the available opportunities including the preferential treatment programs for the college admissions as well as hiring and promotions seems a modest means one of the necessary but not simply for the integration and for the advancing of the incorporative politics. The programs have been served to draw those the said voices into the academic and the professional positions which had tended to be silence by their exclusion, these voices that mostly proved resistant to the mainstream appropriation. ().             Racism had survived at this moment it is less intense and it is intellectually respectable than it was a century ago. But human beings are continuing to mistreat on their ethnic identities as their basis. Furthermore, we have returned to the chronological starting point of the said inquiry. Even before racism had started, Christians persecuted Jews and Muslims due to their beliefs and their behavior. The Crusades were not had fought under the banner of white, the Aryan, or the Indo-European superiority or the divine right of Herrenvolk to rule over the lesser breeds. The conflicts were defined today that would call cultural rather than racial terms. The line between “culturalism” and racism is not that difficult to cross. Culture and even religion can also become essentialized to the point that they can serve it as a functional equivalent of biological racism, as to some extent occurred recently in the perception of blacks in the United States and Britain, and of Muslims in several predominantly Christian nations (2002).     Trends in Effects of Racism Measured by the Womes’s Median Wage a proportion of the Men’s and the Non-whites’ as the proportion of the Whites, 1939 and 1972     1939 1972 Nonwhites/whites 0 0 Nonwhites women/ white women 37.9 86.8 Nonwhite men/white men 45 70                                                                         Figure 1.             The figure1 shows the effect of the racism which was measured by the Women’s Median a proportion of the Men’s and the No-whites’ to the proportion to the whites. This figure shows the higher the ratio the greater the effect of the racism. By this time we can see that the greater the effect of the racism is on the Non -whites’ women and white women’ which means that the most criticized people are those non-white womens.             In the issue of the labeling in the particular and the position of the racist is more complicated that is why it is very important to have a careful scenario and have to think of a situation through which it should be analyzed it well because this will have a potential to polarize. It was indeed impressive to see the moment that the charges of racism had made a sense due to the fact that they strike a nerve; they have the ability to educate the public and will force a constructive change in the policy. On the most recent and yet an exact example is the Bertram Aristotle’s charge about the U.S. policy toward the Haiti which was racist due to the fact that immigrants who are black were turned back but when we look at the other side the white Cuban immigrants were totally welcomed though fleeing Cuba for the many of which have the same reasons Haitians were fleeing. The trouble in the idea of the racism is that it is unavoidable to take on the personal meaning even if trying to use this impersonally which connote the systems as well as the structures of the racial oppression as the institutionalized racism. The popular mind do not understand in the idea that the racism is refers to the objectives or the structural realities that the social scientist and the Third World should know. Most of the people especially the European Americans they define racism as the feeling and the attitudes as well as the actions. Many of the white college students have the same problem and have immediately confuse regarding the objectives and the subjective racism. This has had felt them that they are being attacked personally as being racist though that is not the proper intention.             There are so many African American whether intellectual or militants have seized upon the objective-subjective distinction to the argument that the black people cannot be the racist because they don’t have the power to institute or to uphold the structures of dominations. It was a great assumption that the Black people cannot be racist and they should serves as a green light among the some Africans Americans to the legitimacy and the expression of the crude stereotypes and the hatreds of the ethnic groups which are commonly the Jews, their expressions which will be unacceptable if being voiced by the Whites.             Discrimination is the manifestation of racism. It involves keeping the racialized group apart, setting them aside designated spaces for it will leave under the certain, presumably restrictive conditions. It also imposes differential treatment on the group in the different kinds of fields in the social life. The treatment wherein the group has to participates in line with the render in the inferior.             For the further understanding regarding the discrimination and the labeling in the racism, we can take the example of the South Africa, wherein the term “apartheid” had designed. This is the form of the organization in the economic production that made the blacks as not only a segregated group but as well as the socially dominated. The formulation of Ernest W. Burgess explains on how cities grow outward from the central business districts in Chicago. The process of the distribution had took place in this formulation wherein the people relocates and individuals as well as groups which was depending on their residence and their occupation. 3. Significance of Racism             The application of the racism to the racism problems is that it will generate a huge and great closeness and acceptance to the different culture as well as to the different beliefs. The readers will have also a further understanding of the relevance of the races and the individual equality that was created by our Creator. The interaction among the other groups will also be tight and they will have a thorough understanding regarding the individual differences. 4. Dealing with Problems on Racism (The UN’s Resolution)             The United Nations adopted and had proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The following are the introductory explanation regarding the law in connection to racism. a. The equality and the inalienable rights in all the members of the human family which is the foundation of the freedom, the justice, and the peace in the world b. The human beings shall enjoy  the freedom of speech and the belief as well as the freedom from the fear and had been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the even just the common people c. The human rights will be protected by the law if the man isn’t compelled to have the recourse, a last resort, and the rebellion of the tyranny and the oppression d. Promote friendly relations between the nations e. The equality of men and women which to promote the social progress and have the better standards of life and in the larger freedom f. The promotion of the universal respect for observance as well as the human rights of the fundamental freedoms 5. Applying Racism Perspectives to the Racism Problem              The racism perspective will determine the problem of the racism itself. In the ecological and the labeling perspective it will generate will generate and will have a better understanding on what the term racism is all about. The readers and the people will have a vivid and a broad understanding regarding the racism. This will also have a clear distinction between this two perspectives that will have a solution on the greater problem which is the racism. This problems can be resolved and will start at the small one which are their perspective. 6. Policy to Make on Ecological Perspective             The discussion of the issue regarding racism is broad and need much explanation as well as further analysis. The racism is one of the issues that the any society needs to fix out. Though we know that it is such a hard task to do but then if we should try to reflect on the effect of this then that would be the great reward anyone can received. Anything huge issue can start fixing in small pieces of things.  First and foremost, the family should start it all. Home is the foundation of every attitude of the child, that is why the parents should teach their children on not to discriminate the other races in this manner the child will know and he will bring this as he grows old. Aside from that, the school should teach every student the proper way of respecting other students who are in different races. This will be the training ground of the students to maximize its talents and admitting the other races as well as its belief. The United Nations (UN) also was a great bridge for the other countries as well as the other nations to unite and made an organization that will lead to them to know and discover the strengths, the beliefs as well as the culture of one another. The government also should have a legal matter regarding this issue that will push through this kind of policy by implementing such laws that the masses should follow. This will minimize the racism and will be unite each and everyone. 7. Conclusion             The term racism is now increasingly used and defined to mean something far beyond its dictionary definition. This is because racism is not a stagnant thing and is continues and constantly evolving and changing. Racism is no longer just about the color, it is a racism that is not just only directed at those with darker skins, from the past colonial territories, but at the newer categories. It is racism, that is, that cannot be a color-coded, and this directed as it is at poor whites and to the Asians as well. Racism includes all aspects of discrimination in education, work, religion, income, and many more.             If we look at the issue further we have been infer that the best job to explain the problem is the ecological perspective. This had been used because there are so many instances wherein racism has been the issue in the environmental and the social problem of a person or even the group of people. In this arena we can determine that the racism had been rooted in the small unit of the society. This small unit will lead be a very good basis to determine the discrimination of the other people to the others. There are so many reasons why does people kept on discriminating the other cultures and one of which is the color which was the basis of the other group in recruitment. The belief of the other race is also an important and yet the most reliable reason why they isolate themselves to the others which was given to the fact that this belief will lead to the influence of the groups. The black people are always the victims of this system wherein they had find a hard time in relating to the other nations and as well as to the other races. This will also influence to them to improve, excel, and to diversify their culture despite of the discrimination they encountering in the hand of the other races. Most of them still believe that the black people have the same rights to the other kinds of races, besides they are all humans.               R Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Racism as a Social Problem

Racism: a social a problem 1. Introduction Racism – a prejudice or animosity against the peop...

RACE AND THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE

RACE AND THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE   Numerous debates have existed in the past and existing literature regarding the apparent racial divide that exists in society. Countless articles indicating consequences of such mentality includes bigotry, prejudice, and down-right discrimination from the dominant race. The works of  and  (1994) and  (2001) are recent additions to the literature concerning the social problems brought about by race. In the work of  and  (1994), the focus was on the context of class and race. Specifically, the discussions were concerned with how the existing society in the United States turns out to make every national aspiration into a racial matter. On the other hand, the work of  (2001) makes it a point to emphasize the factor of dominance in the equation. Using theoretical foundations from  to ,  (2001) presents a discussion of the social structure where dominance is a constant.     On a personal note, the discussions on race and social structure represent an actual manifestation of an existence of a social problem. The inequity that manifests itself among the races creates a foundation for arguments presented in studies that predate that of  (2001) and  and  (1994). As long as there is inequity in society, racial differences will constantly be used as a means to magnify this inequality. In the days of Marx, the economic aspect of the social structure was considered to be one of the casual imperatives that are deemed relevant in the context of dominance in society. (, 2001) The difference in social classes has constantly been the root of conflict in a social structure. This could be equated with the claims made by  and  (1994) where the African-American people are subjected to changes in policies to place provide “equality” in the US. This shows that the minorities in the US are not only struggling in terms of class, it also shows that the struggle for African-Americans transcend plain discrimination. It shows that the struggle is an amalgamation of economic, capitalist, and racial factors.   The discussions presented by both works present an inherent reality that exists in the context of the social problem with respect to race. Both works implies that the constant provision of coercion in society will inevitably present a consequence: consent.  and  (1994) present this in the form of reverse discrimination where the whites became the target of discrimination. The induction of policies leaning towards affirmative action and “colorblindness” was a result of the social movements that took place in the 1950s and the 1960s. Calls for equality, thus, did not actually eliminate the racial divide it only created a bigger chasm where both African-Americans and Whites are subjected. The introduction of affirmative action policies compels both races into consenting to such “preferential” actions sanctioned by the state. At any rate, the claims that structural theorists as  and  (1994) cited has been rather contradictory in a sense when they claimed that “remnants of the preindustrial order” like racial and ethnic bonds are bound to decline. Nevertheless, as seen in the modern setting, though it has significantly been perceptively reduced, still very much exists.   In conclusion, the two works reviewed in this paper presents an important contribution in academic and social research. Both studies have presented the reality in the existence of social hierarchies. Realizing that such hierarchies are present in a social structure could formulate possible solutions in other social factors such as economy and to some extent reductionism in class. As seen in the work of  and  (1994) these could be in the form of policies. Another realization in analyzing the said academic works indicate that the existing ascendancy in society, be it racial or economic in nature, manifests itself in the areas of power, domination, and consent. Understanding who holds the power; what class or race dominates; who are held subordinates in a certain social structure will enable an individual to fully understand the existing social arrangements. In the end, It could be understood by looking in actually studying how society deals with such differences and how the players fit into their specific roles. One realizes that the concept of race becomes more of a social reality, a product of social interaction, not as much as an offshoot of natural science.     References    Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

RACE AND THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE

RACE AND THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE Numerous debates have existed in the past and existing literature regarding the apparent racial divide t...

IMITATION OF LIFE: FROM BLACK TO WHITE

Imitation of Life: Do you blame Sarah Jane for being the way she was?               Imitation of Life is adapted from the novel of the same title written by  and also a remake of 1934 ’s version of the novel. Directed by  and produced and released in 1959 by Universal Pictures, it is among the top-grossing films in the year 1959. In both ‘s 1934 film and ‘s 1959 film of  ‘s novel, black women occupy a space closer to the center than in most other Hollywood movies, for ‘s novel portrays the strained relationship between a black mother and her light-skinned daughter, who wants desperately to be white ( 1998, ). Looking into the character of Sarah Jane, this paper analyzes the reasons behind her personality, that is, a black woman who acts as white and denounces her race that led to temperamental relationship with her mother Annie. Also, the element of era is included as it plays an important factor in relation to the nature of Sarah Jane’s behavior.             I do not blame Sarah Jane for attempting to live a lifestyle similar to white people. On my own judgment, it was her defense mechanism against the subversive treatment of black women during those years. Sarah Jane is a black woman who pretends and tries so hard to categorically become a member of the white population. During those years, racial discrimination is apparent as white and black citizens are sorted out and has defined status in the society. Generally, discrimination is the act of making a difference, as in favor of or against a person or thing as often used to refer to the act of treating individuals differently on the basis of some characteristics like gender, age, race, religion, or others. While some texts describe how racism has been mainly evident in the past, daily occurrences of racism have also been observed ( &  1996, ). In reference to the case of Sarah Jane, it is presumably considered that she is aware of the circumstances that may happen to her when she chooses to portray an image of a black woman. I understand that Sarah Jane is ambitious in both positive and negative instances. On the positive side, she has big dreams of becoming “someone” or a person who is worthy of appreciation and praise. She has her ambitions and goals and she instinctively wishes to pursue them all. This is manifested on her career as a chorus girl where she established firmly then, destroyed eventually when her employer came to know of her real nature. On the other hand, due to such motivation and desire to achieve her dreams and to continuously excel, she struggles against her actual identity. She negatively adopts an identity that she is not, that is, pretending to be a white woman amidst her distinct black nature. She used her pretentious identity as façade and protection against further acts of oppression that are given to people belonging to her race.             What is considered to be a bad side in her personality is her relationship with her mother. It reflects an impression that Sarah Jane “hates” the idea that her mother is a black woman – which her mother is to be blamed for having such race and for giving birth to her as black. Her acerbic treatment of her mother is a consequence of her desire to be a member of the white population. She does not want anything black to be associated with her so that she can fully project and image of an authentic white woman. In my opinion, Sarah Jane misinterprets her origins and forgets the upbringing that is inherent in her culture. If only she accepted the fact that she is a black woman, she could make a difference. Although the tumultuous years wherein practices of oppression are everywhere is the biggest hindrance, Sarah Jane may create history if she stand up and fight for her human rights regardless of race or color of the skin.             The above situation is a sheer manifestation of the fight against racial discrimination not only in those years but up to the present. I must say that during those years when the film was done, injustices are rampant in relation to race, gender, and other characteristics.  (1999, ) stated that the people are the ones that create various signs or symbols that make one ethnic group distinct form another; it is a process of categorizing social groups based on their superiority or inferiority. This is presumably evident on the years of Sarah Jane. Though racism originates from history and tradition, it is the people that worsen the problem ( &  1996, ). On the case of Sarah Jane, she gave an opportunity for people to ridicule her for not being a white woman. If only she is proud of her real identity, she will be socially accepted and made the total difference. The element of time is a contributing factor to the personality and values of Sarah Jane. As argued earlier, her behavior towards her real nature is her defense mechanism to the potential actions that may be directed against her and her race (color). Sarah Jane chooses to behave in such way because it is her own way of protecting herself against the unjust treatment and racial discrimination during those years. References Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

IMITATION OF LIFE: FROM BLACK TO WHITE

Imitation of Life: Do you blame Sarah Jane for being the way she was? Imitation of Life is adapted from the novel of the s...

RACISM AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM

Racism as a Social Problem   1. Introduction             Racism evolved as a social problem because of the recognition that even if racism has biological or genetic underpinnings, it is primarily a social construct. Many definitions emerged attempting to capture and explain racism.  (1993) defined racism as the “beliefs, which, regardless of intentions involved, defend the advantages whites have because of the subordinated position of racial minorities” (p. x), which are sanctioned by cultures. This definition is limited only to the white-black racial dichotomy.  and  (1999) conceptualized racism as the highly organized scheme of group privilege based on race “that operates at every level of society and is held together by a sophisticated ideology of color/’race’ supremacy” (). This provides a more encompassing definition of racism.  (2000; 2006) further developed the concept of racism by explaining that racism permeates the organization of social institutions. These definitions of racism support the consideration of this concept as a social construct and as such, as a social problem, instead of merely constituting a biological problem. These definitions also reflect the developments of the ecological and labeling perspectives.      2. Perspectives of Racism             Two major perspectives emerged seeking to capture and explain racism. Ecological and labeling theories provide varying explanations, perspectives, and policy direction for racism as a social problem. Both approaches align in considering racism as emerging from social interactions and the social constructs that emerge within relationships. These perspectives of racism provide that racism is a learned social construct that evolve in its manifestations in group interactions and interrelationships. However, there are also differences. While the ecological perspective views racism as an individual behavior stimulated by individual interaction with multi-level social system (, 2002), the labeling perspective considers racism as emerging from an inter-group process of negotiation resulting to the attachment of negative labels or stereotypes based on group differences (, 2006). Both perspectives recognize that racism is a learned or influenced perspective, attitude and behavior. However, the ecological perspective provides racism as influenced by the various social system and sub-systems with direct or indirect impact on the individual (, 2002) while the labeling perspective explains racism as influenced by developing negative stereotypes based on group differences, which influence the stereotyped group and future inter-group interactions (, 2006). These differences then determine policy direction, depending on the preferred perspective, so that the ecological perspective targets policies changing individual perspective and influences to address racism while the labeling perspective focuses on policies seeking to achieve change in inter-group stereotypes. 3. Significance of Racism as a Social Problem             Although racism evolved in manifestation, resulting to the seemingly dwindling of this social problem, it remains a significant social problem with manifestations in various sectors such education, healthcare and employment.  (2006) explains “new racism” () has changed from a perspective that is solely based on color and manifested in actions that blame the victims from being different into behaviors that still blame the victims but perpetuated in a very indirect and convenient way to justify actions. In the area of employment, the  (2007) reported that during the previous six months of 2007, it has received more than 5,000 racism complaints. Out of this number, 43 percent are related to employment such as exclusion from applying for certain jobs and promotions as well as bullying. In health care, the  (2006) issued a disparity report on national healthcare, which shows high disparity of healthcare quality among whites, blacks, Asians, Hispanics, American Indians, and Alaska Natives in varying degrees with the greatest disparity reported between whites and blacks, with blacks receiving poorer quality of healthcare less than whites for 73 percent of the healthcare measures used in the study. The persistence of racism in contemporary society indicates the need to consider this problem seriously since and its solutions because of its effect on a wide spectrum of societal life.  (2002) explains that racism is not merely race-based “dislike and distrust” () but a more complex encompassing social problem. 4. Dealing with the Social Problem of Racism             A number of solutions, general or specific and passive or active, have emerged. However, from all these solutions it is clear that addressing the social problem of racism involves the re-education of society on the meaning of race-based similarities and differences as well as the value of difference to society.  (2002) provides two areas of re-education to achieve social change, which are multi-cultural and inter-cultural learning or anti-racist re-education. These two areas of re-education then underlie the various specific legal solutions through human rights and equality laws, and social welfare policies that recognize the common and differentiated needs of different groups and sub-groups reflected in lesser disparities in healthcare, education, employment and other related areas. Since racism is wide-ranging, solutions are also encompassing. 5. Applying Racism Perspectives to the Racism Problem             Since the ecological and labeling perspectives view racism differently, these also suggest different solutions to racism as a social problem. In the case of the ecological perspective, the rationale for solutions is changing the form and quality of an individual’s interaction with microsystems, including family, neighbors, peers and school social groups as well as macrosystems and exosystems encompassing the socio-cultural stratification, systems of exclusion, levels of multiculturalism, and other manifestations or institutionalizations of racism in the community (, 2002). Since these influences stimulate racist behavior, dealing with racism involves government policies and advocacies that equalize socio-cultural stratifications, minimize or lessen race-based exclusion, encourage multicultural perspectives, and integrate racial tolerance and accommodation in institutional practices. With regard to the labeling perspective, solutions involve changing negative racial stereotyping by influencing the process of social negotiation to develop positive rational multicultural perspectives.             Comparing the two perspectives show that the ecological perspective explains racism as a social problem better because it explains problem based on an individual, group and community views and processes instead of focusing only the group perspectives. In addition, the ecological perspective also covers the various manifestations of racism in society cutting across the different levels of society and social relationships. As such, the solution is also encompassing.   6. Policy Recommendations based on the Ecological Perspective             Based on the multilevel approach to racism of the ecological approach, policy recommendations also encompass the different levels.  (2002) provides that changing racist perspectives or influences involve self-awareness covering cultural, racial and economic background of individuals. Various social settings and institutions should promote diversity (, , & , 2003) to develop self-awareness and appreciation of similarities as well as differences. Apart from self-awareness, developing cultural competence ( and , 2002) is also important through inter-cultural learning and experiences through interactions in different social settings.  and  (2002) explain the importance of policies that strengthen socio-cultural relations at home, in schools, workplace and other venues of social relations. 7. Conclusion             Racism remains an important social problem with wide ranging effects as explained by the ecological perspective as supported by statistics and accounts of racism in various social venues such as employment, educational system, and healthcare service delivery. However, with the intensified quest to derive comprehensive information on racism and its manifestations, more tools and strategies are available to address this problem, based on a holistic understanding of racism, its causes, effects, implications and solutions. References Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

RACISM AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM

Racism as a Social Problem 1. Introduction Racism evolved as a social problem because of the recognition that even if raci...

American Education continues to discriminate against minority groups

American Education Continues to Discriminate Against Minority Groups     Introduction America is a country that places great values to education as an important characteristic in sustaining the democracy maintained and uphold by the Constitution.  The rise of civil rights movement in America since 1940 brings a significant change in the life of the African-American people. Two of the primary goals of the modern civil rights movement are to push for educational change and to improve the educational situation of African-Americans. But the reforms demanded by the movement were not well received by the majority of school personnel and researchers (, 1991). President George Bush, taking side against the Michigan in the Supreme Court case, said that he strongly supported diversity of all kinds including racial diversity in higher education (, 2003). However, discrimination in the American education sector still persists among minority groups.     Discussion  (1996) authored a book that deals with racism in schools, its effects on the academic performance, interpersonal relationships as well as the general outlook on life of African American students as well as other students of ‘color’. He pointed out how most academic institutions, in their confidence that racism has no place in such an idealistic institution often forget that some of their actions and behavior actually have racist implications. Accordingly, racism shows itself repeatedly in classrooms owing to the ignorance of individual teachers as well as administrators through institutionalized racism. In both urban and suburban schools, students of color experience inequality by being given a smaller amount of instructional time biased texts and curricula, harsh sanctions (suspension and detention), lowered teacher expectations, and teacher/administrator and school denial of racist actions. White students who lack sufficient understanding of racism on the other hand often accuse the victims of using their ethnicity or race as a crutch in order to get special treatment due to their laziness to do things on their own initiative. As a result, some potentially brilliant student of color represses his skills and talent out of fear of being bullied and a resentment of not being taken seriously (, 1996).   The problem it seems, with the educational system is that it has been too complacent or too comfortable to address the issues of institutionalized racism. The academe has taken refuge in its insistence that racism could not exist in an academic institute because of the ideals that the institute claim to uphold. In the University, no student or employee shall, on the basis of their race, color, or national origin be disqualified or excluded from participation in, be denied or deprived of the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any University program or activity. University programs and activities include, but are not limited to, admissions, recruitment, financial aid, academic programs, student treatment and services, counseling and guidance, discipline, classroom assignment, grading, recreation, physical education, athletics and employment (Campus Conduct). But unfortunately most of the time, discrimination is associated with the act of making a disparity, as in favor of or against a person or thing. It is a form of behavior that shows prejudice, but not only the form. It is the failure to treat people in the same way. In most cases, discrimination exists because there is no acceptance and respect. It has also been influenced by traditions and cultures.   The article entitled “: ” by  and  talks about creating classroom communities which are supposed to be, constructive, developmentally appropriate communities of learning that are necessary for solid learning to happen. There is an emphasis on everyone’s need to feel comfortable in order to take risks, and learning that is built on risk-taking. The problem is that teachers may also unwittingly create communities of silence.  The article states that when teachers avoid the subject, and pretend that it doesn’t exist as an issue, or when the issue is treated lightly, they are sending a very strong message which may be unintentional but it produces stifling results. However, when teachers find ways to address the issues surrounding race in society it has been found that children feel liberated. They begin to be more open about their questions and there is more space for them to focus on all kinds of learning ( & , 2003). Efforts towards establishing an earnest multicultural institute are being made however to address and handle this problem and it begins with initiating a self examination on one’s awareness in detecting racist forms of behaviors and attitudes. Common solutions propose to break the silence by gaining enough courage to talk it through with the kids in order to gain a better understanding of themselves as well as growing in a culturally diverse environment.     Conclusion The significance of education has long been hailed through the innovations in science and technology pioneered in the United States in the goal to provide the best kind of learning experience to the young members of the population. The support of the government and private sectors and organizations in promoting and upholding the right to education of every student has long been the driving and mechanical force in putting children in schools for them to avail the needs to be educated.  The United States in particular has been known to uphold freedom and equality in experiencing the good life. The individualist cultural orientation of the country instill in its people the importance of independence in the effort and time dedicated in advocating the relevance of individual choice and freedom. But the application of such concepts in the everyday life importantly covers the aspect of education which needs to be closely examined at present regarding issues on discrimination.     References: Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

American Education continues to discriminate against minority groups

American Education Continues to Discriminate Against Minority Groups Introduction America is a country that places great values ...