Racial Reconciliation, By Dr. Mitzi Smith

We as humans are the same, yet we have created this concept on how our looks and backgrounds makes us different. This idea of race is what separates us and throughout history has been an issue, but in times of tribulation, people look past this xenophobic ideology especially when they are determined to great lengths to find an explanation for a terrible tragedy.

President Obama’s, “A More Perfect Union”, speech conveyed many of his beliefs concerning racism. Obama is the son of a white woman and a Kenyan man, and just because of his race people are either with or against him. He begins his speech by talking about the founding fathers and the Declaration of Independence by saying that ‘all men are created equal’. His former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright brought up some of his observations about racism which caused some unease. He continues his speech by saying that the solution to ending this unease of racism is to come together and forgive each other for all the wrongs they have done in the past. He ends his speech by saying that both races need to become united in order for a more perfect union. Barack Obama buttresses his argument about slavery and unification by using ethos, pathos, allusion, as well as repetition.

Deggans (2013) opens by asking the question, “How do you judge racial progress?” He goes on to say that black folks look at it in terms of where we should be, “an imaginary future where we are all equal.” And white folks compare where we used to be to where we are now, and the improvements we have made. For people of color, racial issues are security goals and are primal for everyday survival. For white people, racial issues are just nurturing skills to make people feel better. It is important to understand that we see race completely different than those who are different see it. Talking about race is a difficult subjective, but one that must be had. Also, we must remember talking about race does not equal racism.

There is now an African-American president in the White House and there is now no visible trace of slavery in America. Racism, in the eyes of the majority is nonexistent. There is a wide assumption that minorities, especially blacks have progressed to the point where job and income equality is no longer a debate. The majority does not think of racism as a serious problem just because enough progress had been made. Some people think that some progress equates to sufficient progress. However, that is merely a fallacy given to sustain their sense of accomplishment. This false perception is embedded in even the most conscientious when it is clearly evident that there still are economic, political, and social problems that stop a minority from fulfilling their potential in life. According to a CNN poll,“only 49% of Americans see racism as a big problem”. The racial divide in the US has negative repercussions on the country as a whole, whether it be economically, socially, or politically. The Bill of Rights states that “all men are created equal...with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”(1). Disgraceful acts of racism portrays America as being a country against complete acceptance and assimilation. Should new laws be passed in the area of civil rights so that America will emerge as a country of inspiration and a role-model for those

"The colored people are coming to face the fact quite calmly that most white Americans do not like them, and are planning neither for their survival, nor their definite future"

In the final analysis, as Dr. King stated “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,” Blacks have long sought to employ intergroup forgiveness and civil rebellion to project positive images of them as social change agents and eliminate darkness and hate in the world specifically against racial injustices. Just as President Clinton has declared that the American people can learn forgiveness and ethicality from the Black men in the Tuskegee Experiment – Whites (and others) can also learn from the exemplary cases of Black intergroup forgiveness in the bombing of the 4 little girls, the bus boycott, and the Charleston shooting. As a result of this study, Whites may become more understanding and willing to pay reparations and cooperate with Blacks as human beings – which has the power to ease and improve racial

Sadly, as I end this book, another tragedy has occurred and this time it is the murder of nine African Americans by a young White man. It is a very sad commentary when worshipers can’t find peace in their sanctuary because of misguided ignorance and racist human beings. I said earlier that I believe that racism is at the root of many of the problems we have in the world today. Unfortunately, my beliefs have once again been proven by this cowardly act.

It is obisously stilla problem that lies in our socirty and I honestly thunk that it will be someday hopefully soon that it can be resolved. People to stop judging because ones skin color is different from another. And the raiscm is shapedd when the people are young. When your familt memers or freinds have racist opionions it is really common for people to judge yourselve. I personally do not tolerate racism and I don't talk with racist people. These people that are racist just need to learn more about the manydifferent cultures of this world and stop being so rude! Like is said racism is something that can be resolved, racists are not born racist, they are made that way by the people around them. It is really ssad that sytill today we as

Evolution is known as moving forward, adapting, getting rid of what stops the growth to reach one maximal potential. Humans seem to be good at just that. However, evolution must be made in unity. The ability to overlook other people’s differences and bond is humanity key to success. Instead of working towards that goal, some believe that they are better then others. The belief of superiority over another man is already atrocious, yet the reason why some believe they are better is even worse. Some believe that their life holds more value the another’s because of their skin color and race. This qualifies as racism. Racism is an issue that was believed to have ceased when slavery was abolished in 1863, unfortunately that is not the case. Although

Italian psychologist Roberto Assagioli once said that “Without forgiveness life is governed by… an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.” A riveting statement that seems to relate to the tensions of our own day. Because we are a nation that does not see self-reflection, unconditional love, and forgiveness as vital components of racial justice and reconciliation, the blood of our brothers and sisters flows from Ferguson to Baltimore while racist venom permeates social media. Fear mixed hatred, (both elements of racism) muddles many people’s ability to think clearly, and thus, people riot, loot, and demolish. The faint calls for true justice are silenced by violence and anarchy in our streets. Ironically, however, all of this vehement hatred has produced absolutely no reconciliation, peace, or justice in America. This hatred that so many people grip does nothing but cause racial dissension and heartbreak. It is only when we realize that malice and vengeance must be replaced

Racism is a long lasting problem that affects millions of people all over the world. It is the belief that characteristics and abilities can be attributed to people simply on the basis of their race. Historically, those who openly professed or practiced racism held that members of low-status races should be limited to low-status jobs and that members of the dominant race should have exclusive access to political power, economic resources, high status jobs, and unrestricted civil rights. For the members of low-status races, their lived experience includes acts of physical violence, economic violence, medical reasons, environmental violence, legal violence, daily results, verbal expressions of contempt and disrespect, all which have effects on self-esteem and social relationships. (Bernie Sanders.)

About fifty years ago, America was a racist society that implemented segregation among people of color. Webster defines racism as, “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” Though it is seemingly clear that we live in a post-racist society, racism has evolved with modern America. Today, relationships between African Americans and Caucasians are better than they were in the forties and fifties, it is uncommon to see a black man step off the sidewalk to let a white man walk by, or to see a black man sitting in a different section on the bus or train. However, superiority complex of races is still occurring. It has taken a metaphysical approach rather than the physical. It boils down to the sheer ignorance of others that has been passed down from generation to generation, learned in and out of school, and passed along through entertainment. It is accurate to say that racism is a trait that is learned through life. Our society has improved tremendously through cultural awareness; however, it is

Racism is a problem that no one seems to have an answer to how to end it. People are prejudicing someone based off the color of their skin. They are being discriminated again, and some people even think that their race is above another. All those things all of example of racism. I think one thing that keeps racism going is the fear of something different. People see other races as something different then themselves and that scares them. Racism is not something that affect one race, it is something that affects everyone. It may not affect everyone in the same way, but it is very uncommon to meet someone who has not been affected by racist.

The curse of racism is one of the biggest problems that society as a whole has to endure which needs to be recognized and stopped to bring inner peace in the world again. Being from the minority group myself I have personally witnessed and experienced the prejudice and racism in many factors that have affected me very deeply. Martin Luther King Jr. civil rights protest sparked an uprising issue of racial injustice and segregation towards color people for the last 50 plus years. Segregation will be always witnessed if racism continues to be part of society. Due to key differences contributing towards the race issue we will always witness major setbacks in the standard of living, education, and

In our current world today, people have always known that racial discrimination may never cease to exist. It seems to be that nowadays, every time we turn on the news, there's been another attack, or another war is breaking out. Whether on our homeland or internationally, our struggle against intolerance is never-ending, which is why unity appears to be beyond the bounds of possibility. It has never been more important to merge and unify together to create a peaceful environment for future generations, starting with our own. Instead of pitting everyone against each other, we should be coming together to create the harmony that we have never been able to grasp, but so desperately yearn for. However, very influential people like Miranda Larbi have other suggestions. Larbi is a journalist for Metro, a highly circulated newspaper in the United Kingdom, recently wrote an online article that went viral among worldwide web, with the title stating, “Dear white people, you're never racially discriminated against so shut up.” With a title as blunt as that, it was not long after until her article elicited an aggressive reaction. In her article, Larbi speaks out on racism and victimization, with clear hostility centered around white Americans, which prompts us to acknowledge that there is discrimination among all people, and it falls on us to conspire and create the results we seek, rather than contributing to the issue.