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The Struggle Between Racism And Racial Discrimination In America

Decent Essays

A bombing in a church, killing four young girls. An assasination of a beloved leader. A teen shot in his neighborhood by police. A whole demographic barred from specific establishments. All of these events, though seemingly unconnected, result from one thing: racism in America. That Birmingham church was bombed in 1963 by the Klu Klux Klan. Martin Luther KIng Jr. (a peaceful protester) was murdered because of his skin’s color. In 2014, Michael Brown was shot under questionable circumstances tied to his race. Throughout history Americans have fought for equality for black people. Today, African Americans are continuing to struggle for their freedom. The majority of Americans are not dealing with racial discrimination and instead …show more content…

Robert Jones ran a poll with the Public Religion Research Institute to analyze the feelings of a shifting racial demographic in America. He asked different groups of white people directly and indirectly whether they were comfortable with the idea of America with a majority minority (Jones). The poll showed at least a quarter of white people in each group were uncomfortable with minority majority. So many people feel this racial tension, but do nothing about it. As Cooper put it, “these messages [of racism] have never been properly addressed, or even remotely dismantled, and this is why they persist.” Malcolm X constantly argued that white people rarely cared for blacks. They were pushed into the ghettos of big cities so whites did not have to deal with them (X 223). The lingering effects of racial bias has followed Americans through the centuries, and we continue to carry it. Millennials today are no less open minded than their parents. A survey from MTV found that only twenty percent of millennials were comfortable talking about racial biases (Luckerson). Remaining silent will never make the country better (Blake). When citizens evade this prominent issue, they will stagnate and endure in the same mindset …show more content…

Although white supremacy and stark racism is condemned, a quieter racism is no less harmful (Jones). Race themed sorority parties and denied admittance into fraternities based on race (Cooper) are some examples of racism today. Countering these examples, Katie Pavlich argues that America has one of the most open and tolerant societies. America elected Obama as president, and two black Attorney Generals as well. Yes, racists exist in the country, but they are the very majority, right? A study conducted at the University of Chicago found that thirty-one percent of white millennials thought blacks are lazier than whites, and “twenty-three percent… rated blacks less intelligent than whites” (Luckerson). This data indicates that a significant chunk of white Americans still underestimate blacks. As for electing high ranking, black executives, accepting very accomplished members of a race does not signify racial tolerance. Millennials of America remain stuck in the racist attitudes of their

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