Speech On Shaming

There exists in our community a monster, a monster as old as mankind itself. This monster is known by many names; some call it racism, others discrimination but the only thing certain about this monstrosity is that it can be overcome if we all unite to fight against it. Racism is “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” (Merriam Webster). Racism has multiple causes ranging from living in a secluded community, to the basic instincts of mankind which likes exemplify the differences found in others not like themselves. Racism can destroy the foundations on which a community is laid upon and can intrude upon the peace and sanction of many of its members. By informing members of the community on the reasons why racism continues to persist, encouraging acceptance and providing further education on how to relieve racial tensions, we can resolve the issue of racism once and for all.

Throughout history in America there has always been the idea of racism. When Americans think of racism, they usually think of slavery and that racism is no longer a problem in America. However, this is not the case. Racism is still very apparent in America. It is true that since the end of slavery, the U.S. has made great strides towards becoming a less racist country. In reality, racism will never be extinct. In today’s society, all American citizens of all races have the same rights as one another, yet there is still racism. Racism can be linked directly to stereotypical mindsets of certain groups of people. It is human nature to make conclusions about other people, this is what leads to racism. Today’s racism is not limited to whites

There is still some racism from whites to blacks, but things are beginning to make a turn and some blacks are now beginning to be very racist toward whites. Some African Americans call whites “crackers,” “white privilege,” and other things due to their white race. But, no outrage or protests occur after they say these things and few people even know about the statements because the media will not cover them (Backer, 2015). This proves a double standard in today’s society. Backer states, “When a white man/woman uses racist language towards another race, they get ridiculed for it and very rightfully so. On the other hand, when a minority uses racist language towards any other racial groups, no one seems to care,” (2015). Blacks can say whatever they want about whites with little fear of criticism or backlash, but whites are not allowed to make fun of or criticize black people (Peterson 2015). According to Jesse Peterson, if a white person dares to speak the truth about blacks, he or she will be labeled “racist” and immediately shut down

Racism is a concept that has been around for centuries of human history: The act of a privileged party oppressing, demeaning, and committing genocide of another race. However, scientifically, humanity is only made up of a single species: homosapiens. The idea of race as it is known (groups based on skin pigment and cultural descent) is a social construct created and ingrained into society. Just because race is socially constructed does not mean racism is not real. Social constructs are not physical entities, but are certainly “real” to humans of a society. One concept that has been created along with the idea of race is the inequality of said races. Caucasian people in many societies (including North American and European) have become the “norm”, meaning they are the standard and expected. Because of this, Caucasian people receive benefits, often known as white privilege, which is “A collective, implicit acceptance of whiteness as virtuous, normal, unremarkable, and expected.” (Jeffries, 2013). Because race is socially constructed in culture, it has created white privilege and white normativity. This privilege can be seen in the media created and consumed by North Americans, and in the justice system and law upheld in North American countries.

As a 19 year old, I know what racism feels like. I work at the Loft, a store that expanded with Ann Taylor Company. As a sales associate, I welcome the clients,acquainted with them, and ring every one of the customers' items up in the front of the store. Now and again, I felt tension that the white individuals can manage the cost of these pieces of clothing than dark individuals, Because of that, white individuals are monetarily advantaged than blacks. Perpetuating racism is the philosophy that somebody who demonstrates indirect racism by their conviction that their race is unrivaled. As such, a white individual may state that he or she needs to promote an anti-lynching play, yet amusingly approve historical

Racism is actually a topic that seems to be tabooed world-wide. In the first chapter of Beverly Tatum’s “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria” she discusses racism and all of its components. In this chapter she discusses white privilege, active and passive racism, prejudice and much more. Beverly explains how racism is “a system of institutional policies and cultural messages that is advantageous to white people and disadvantageous to people of color”. This would explain how white people continue to be at a higher advantage and benefit from racism. This would be called white privilege. In this chapter, Beverly Tatum also discusses the differences between racial identity and ethnic groups.

Wise’s examination of the inconspicuous character of racism 2.0 dovetails fittingly with our course’s recurring theme of institutionalized racism. In class lectures we have defined institutionalized racism as the discriminatory practices that have become regularized and routinized by state agencies, organizations, industries, or anywhere else in society. Although such practices might not be intentionally racist, they end up being racist nevertheless as consequence of the systematized and unspoken biases that have become increasingly convoluted and entrenched within society over time. It also doesn’t help white people to recognize these discriminatory practices considering they have been unconsciously tailored to be consistent with white perspective and mentality. In her article, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, Peggy McIntosh examines not only how white folks often consider themselves to be a normative figure within society, but also how they are carefully taught not to recognize the advantages they gain from the disadvantages that impair people of color. In the article, McIntosh acknowledges the reality of her own white privilege and expresses, “In my class and place, I did not see myself as a racist because I was taught to recognize racism only in individual acts of meanness by members of my group, never in invisible systems conferring unsought racial dominance on my group from birth” (McIntosh 4). In fact, even if white folks do not believe themselves to

The idea of racism has evolved and has become less prevalent throughout the last century. Schools and public areas are unsegregated, voting rights, racial slurs being considered as unacceptable behavior etc. American sociologist and race theorist, Howard Winant states that’s “The ensuing approaches increased recognition of racial injustice and inequality, but did not overcome the discriminatory processes” (Winant,2000)Although the United states has come a long way to try to end racism, one cannot ignore the fact that it still exists. It is something that may seem invisible in society, but everybody knows that it still thrives and that it’s racial attitudes affect the way our society functions. One of these invisible forms of

Just fifty years ago, America was a society of segregation and racism. The dictionary defines racism as “the belief that a particular race is superior to another.” Although it is clear times have changed, racism is still seen in modern american society. It’s also clear that relationships between African Americans and whites are generally better than they were in the forties and fifties. Today, it is rare to witness a black man walk down the street and step off the sidewalk to let a white man walk by, or to see a black man sitting on a different section of the bus or train because a white man told him he has too. But superiority of races is still happening. A lot of this has the do with the ignorance of others. Passed down generation to

When a person of color says something offensive towards a person who is white, it doesn’t enforce anything onto white people that has deep, cultural, or historical background behind it; and it doesn’t affect their ability to get jobs or how they are perpetually viewed in society. It isn’t right, but it wouldn’t affect them in life-altering way. If it were the other way around, it would be a different story.

I feel Peggy McIntosh offers compelling points in her article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”. White people in our society tend to take for granted and not even realize how easily they can live their lives without the discrimination that others endure. They don’t live in fear of being a victim of racism because they are not used to that kind of treatment themselves. Being white is viewed as the norm in our society, while it is also normal to treat anyone who is non-white differently. People in our American society are quick to stereotype any race that is not white. Anybody who is non-white must continuously have their guards up for racism and are often labeled social unacceptable when they do not deserve to be.

These people are correct in a sense; loud and public acts of racism are no longer prevalent in the US as they were in the past. However, today racism is stealthy and unspoken, and often deftly covered up with fabricated cover stories to legitimize the discrimination. This new breed of racism is perhaps even more difficult to fight against than its more egregious past self; its subtlety allows its perpetuators to claim ignorance of any discrimination, and its lack of media attention lulls Americans into complacence and acceptance of the current system. Further disturbing is the prevalence of “covert racism”, also commonly called “subconscious racism”. Many white Americans may actively stereotype and discriminate against blacks without even being aware of their actions and thought processes (BlackYouthProject). This phenomenon is a sad consequence of being raised a subtly racist society which perpetuates discrimination, even if never openly. Many subconscious racists may also be unwittingly subscribing to “symbolic racism”. In J.H. Moore’s book Encyclopedia of Race and Racism, Henry Sears characterizes symbolic racism as the endorsement of four specific beliefs:

Racism has been a problem in the United States of America for a long time, dating back to early America when the Native Americans were often attacked, harassed, and killed. Another early problem of racism is the African slave trade. Enslaving and trading the African people amongst white people also helped contribute to the environment of a racist culture in America by demoralizing the African races and teaching white Americans that they are better than the African races. Although the civil rights of African Americans have improved over the last few decades and America now has an African American president, racism still has a strong presence. A common modern trend in America is incidental racism, which is giving other races equal opportunity and using other elements to justify racist behavior. Racism kills and at the same time saves the people. Racism is likely to kill people internally by damaging their emotions and well-being as a human being. Nobody likes to be at the end of the stick of racism, people would rather be able to live their lives free of racism. I see racism as a criminal violence only because it’s an evil force really. Of course, someone does not have to be racist because they are violent, or violent because they are racist, but I feel like racism is a crime and should be treated as such. I feel like most hate crimes are mainly because someone hates the other race. Hate crimes are increasing yesterday, today, and will

Historically, United States battle against racism has come a long way from the days of colonialism, slavery, racial hierarchies, racial demarcated reserves, strict policies and segregation. And yet, discrimination and inequality continue to persist in our society. Howard Winant, an American sociologist and race theorist, stated that, “the meaning of racism has changed over time. The attitudes, practices and institutions of epochs of colonialism, segregation… may not have been entirely eliminated, but neither do they operate today in the same ways they did half a century ago (Winant 128).” The meaning and how racism operates may have changed over time but its negative connotations and implications in society continue to limit the individual’s understanding, explore and accept the complexity of each individual. Presently, racism appears less blatant and may appear “more acceptable,” but its existence and effect is undeniable. As a result, it continues to destroy society’s cohesion and ideas for equality. Racism is the ideology that devalues and renders other racial and ethnic group as inferior and it is reflected through the individual’s interaction, expression and attitudes towards others (Racism No Way). It is deeply rooted from historical, social, cultural and power inequalities. Racism has indeed shifted its course from previously stricter policies and practices of racism to individuals who promote multiculturalism, equality

The violent ideology known as racism is defined by many as “the result of perceiving one group as superior over another” (Quoted in Keister and Darby, 284). This is when a dominant power in a society oppresses the minority power by prejudging the minorities attributes, commonly their race. When defining