Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Racism is America's favorite pasttime, next to baseball.



“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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