“Surviving a
day of racism in America”
-
M.H. Johnson
Surviving a day
of racism in America takes more than turning a blind eye to
absent or negative images of “minority” cultures presented in the media. Also,
it takes more than having a good job. For many Americans, survival in this lifetime
involves coping with racism and ignoring or managing acts of discrimination on
a daily basis. But the effects of discrimination are cumulative, and over a
period of time, they take a toll, affecting the quality of life in an entire
society.
Studies have
shown that racism destroys physical and mental health, family connections, and
longevity, yet all over the world, it is a staple, consumed on a daily basis. Studies
indicate only about ten percent of the population are willing to admit conscious
or unconscious racism, and those who adamantly deny their racist tendencies are
the most likely to practice it behind closed doors, knowingly or unknowingly.
Next to
baseball, racism is America’s favorite pastime. Despite
confessions of conscious or unconscious stereotyping and discrimination, and
regardless of the problems it creates, far too many are so caught up in a
destructive cycle of inhumanity to man and womankind. Racism is also not limited to the U.S.A., but in America, possibility exists, and working together in unity, we can win this game of diminishing returns.
While racial discrimination happens across race, gender and
ethnicity, it is predominately perpetrated by whites against “minorities.” Other
countries also follow discriminatory practices,but America is supposed to be different. There are
laws that offer equal protection and equal rights, but racial discrimination
and inequality persist, leading to greater personal dissatisfaction, increased
unemployment, high rates of emotional and mental illness, high rates of crime
and incarceration, poor quality of life, and shorter life spans. Not only
does racism affect individuals and families but also, it affects our society as
a whole.
Racism can be
detected everywhere in American society and it affects everyone--those who
discriminate and those discriminated against. It can be subtle, beginning with images
and portrayals of different ethnic groups in the media or blatant, creating
fears of being randomly targeted, incarcerated, or even killed for “driving [or
simply walking] while black” or Latino. The recent killing of Trayvon Martin by
George Zimmerman is an all too recent reminder that injustice based on racial
discrimination and stereotyping is real.
In the
article, “No, You’re Not Imagining It,” Dr. David R. Williams explains how
“unconscious bias is literally killing us” and our economy. Because of lost productivity, racism in America negatively impacts our economy to the
tune of $billons. According to studies by Dr. David R. Williams, "Two health economists and a health policy expert calculated for us what the inequalities are costing the U.S. economy. They came up with an astounding $310 billion a year...."(136).
Along with its economic impact, racial
discrimination has cumulative effects which perpetuate a cycle of life choices that
negatively impact quality of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Stress of coping with
racial discrimination and its social impact has led to diminished health and
inequities in health care access. Poor health, along with inadequate health care resulting
from discriminatory practices, affects quality of life in the workplace and at
home. Higher incidences of illness and disease persist in “minority” cultures,
leading to inability to maintain employment and support families. What follows
is a subculture of crime, increased rates of incarceration, and feelings of
hopelessness across generations.
So what’s
fueling our racist tendencies and discriminatory practices? Why can’t this
crime against entire cultures of people be eliminated once and for all? Studies
indicate, America’s racism is a remnant of a colonial system
defined by racial stratification. Within that system of racial inequality, social
hierarchies were created based on designations of political power, which
included the percentage of white blood one was presumed to possess. Within specific
guidelines, lines of demarcation were drawn and a system of “divide and
conquer” was put into place. Those working in the house were taught to
mistrust, despise, and report the shenanigans of those working out in the
fields.
America, along
with other colonizers, including Great Britain, created empires based on the
philosophy of “divide and conquer, creating and offering opportunities to a
ruling sub-class, often referred to as “the privileged class,” while leaving
others disenfranchised. For political leaders, intentionally creating class
distinctions within the same ethnic or cultural sub-group served a specific
purpose: animosity within the same ethnic group. This prevented the formation
of a unified system of protest and rebellion against those in charge.
Remnants of
this animosity between Americans of the same ethnic group exist today, and it’s
not just among “minorities.” Those from the dominant culture comfortably discriminate
against their own kind based on class and gender while those who are persecuted
develop increased hostilities toward ethnic or racial “minorities,” accusing
them of taking undue advantage of the political system. While the social and political practice of “divide
and conquer” can be witnessed all over the world, unlike American society, the
majority of these societies do not claim to support equal rights.
In America, a certain hypocrisy seems to exist
because while we support equal rights, inequality is being fueled on a daily
basis. Being discriminated against is a major cause of stress, illness, and
shorter life spans. This country has a long way to go when it comes to
achieving equality, and it would be to our advantage to do so as soon as
possible. Entire neighborhoods in America are becoming virtual war zones, and
our prison populations are exploding.
How long can
we continue to decimate our culture by depriving “minority” populations of equal rights, economically,
socially, and spiritually? Far too many are surviving day to day in a world
where only the strong can survive the daily regimen of being administered
strong doses of negativity, hostility, and discrimination in a game of
diminishing returns. Throughout the years, generations have defied the odds and
achieved great things, but there is much to be done. Winning against racism begins with a message
that pertains to all of us, across race, gender, and culture: Stop the discriminatory
practices, build a strong supportive team, and watch this country thrive.
Works Cited
Williams,
David R. “No, You’re Not Imagining It.” ESSENCE, Sept. 2013: 136
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