preview

Racism Today

Good Essays
Open Document

While some people believe racism is nonexistent in today’s America, it is still seen in many different aspects of life. Racism is bred into some Americans making them products of their surroundings. Even those who don’t notice they are outwardly racist still have judgmental attitudes toward other races. Though at a decline from the 18th century, racism is still seen outward by children, southern states, and The Church.
Racism, the belief that all members of each race possesses characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. What most people don’t realize, in this day in age, racism is exhibited by people of every race. The fact is, by the time a child …show more content…

Olson, Ph.D., she states that children mostly only notice race because they like all people notice differences. The differences in the racism within the child will vary. In white children, they are taught quickly that “simple questions or comments about observations on the differences in people are shut down, stopped, and hushed with incredible velocity (Olson 2013)”. On the other hand, African American children naturally accept differences and have less questions, or have questions that will rarely offend. Children then become aware that these questions are the most important because they go unanswered, leaving parents with looks of worry. In a research study performed by U-T Auston colleagues, white mothers in an American household are seen to be “color mute” when talking about race to their 4-5 year old children. Similarly in the same study with minority mothers and children race was again ignored. In another study in 2006 before President Obama was a candidate, Dr. Bigler demonstrated how children’s logic is with trying to understand race. A group of children were asked, “Why do you think all 43 presidents to date were white?” The majority of the children answered that they believe it was illegal to be president and black in 2006, but how else would you explain 43 consecutive presidents with the same racial background. “Certainly illegality would explain such a disparity (Olson 2013)”. So maybe ignoring race can lead to …show more content…

The tension in return has caused many African Americans to retaliate in acts of violence. While some powerful black leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. strived for peaceful protest, many individuals took the movement into their own hands. They would burn white homes and businesses, injure and murder whites, and sometimes kill fellow blacks who stood in their way. Groups like the Black Panther Party which was known for its “self defense” tactics caused lots of problems and put fear in the white community. The Black Panthers were known as the greatest threat to the internal security of the country making more of an uproar in black and white affairs.
In the south the trechourous organization KKK (Klu Klux Klan) is still active in states like Mississippi and some parts of Arkansas. The KKK is seen recruiting young white followers and even hand out flyers for supporters in their anti-black cause. In the past the KKK was seen burning black churches, crosses in the lawns of black families, and lynching black men who they caught out at night alone. In the south racism is still active and alive. This leaves people to believe that racism and mistreatment of races a

Get Access
Related
Get Access