Chihou Yang
ENG095 / Prof. Myka
Nov. 5, 2013
Racism: A Menace to the U.S. Society
Racism is a menace to mankind. But
despite of having the knowledge of such truth the American society is indulging
in the promotion of racial discrimination through different ways and manners.
If the evil of racism is not eradicated then it can pose a serious threat to
the existence of a democratic system within the nation. And this is because no
democracy can be sustained without social, economic, and political equality and
as racism is an agent of inequality, it should be terminated gradually but in a
steady manner.
Racism can be defined as “a developed
set of attitudes that include antagonism based on the supposed superiority of
one group or on the supposed inferiority of another group, premised solely on
skin color or race” (Beswick). The practical application of the definition can
be found in the treatment of the African Americans and other people of color in
the United States. The American society, dominated by white supremacy, still
now is suffering from the disease of racism and the socio-economic and
political oppressions that going on against the minorities in the country can
be cited as a perfect example of how racism can deteriorate the social,
economic, and political health of a nation. Moreover, it is racism that has
deteriorated the social status of the people of color within the United States,
and especially it has affected the social status of the African Americans.
Recalling history it can be stated that “In the American South, the passage of
segregation laws and restrictions on black voting rights reduced African
Americans to lower-caste status, despite constitutional amendments that had
made them equal citizens” (Fredrickson). So, it is evident that racism is responsible
for social anomalies which again has given rise to economic and political
disparities.
But it can be a folly to think that
racism can only have social, economic, or political ill-effects. This is
because, apart from social, economic, and political devastations, racism can
also impact negatively on the mental health of those who have been victimized
by the evil of racial discrimination. According to Jose Sotto, an assistant
professor of psychology, “the notion of racial battle fatigue could be a very
real phenomenon that might explain how individuals can go from the experience
of racism to the experience of serious mental health disorder” (Swayne).
Research has found that more than 40 percent African Americans presently in the
United States have experienced racial discrimination and about 4.5 percent of
them suffer from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) that has been a direct cause of
their exposure to racial discrimination (Swayne).
In conclusion, racial discrimination is
an evil which is threatening the existence of democracy in the United States
and it is a menace that should be eradicated. If the evil of racism is not
eradicated then it can pose a serious threat to the existence of a democratic
system within the nation. And this is because no democracy can be sustained
without social, economic, and political equality and as racism is an agent of
inequality, it should be terminated gradually but in a steady manner.
(513
words)
Works Cited
Beswick, Richard.
“Racism in America’s Schools.” Eric Digest Series 49 (1990):
n. pag. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9215/racism.htm>.
Fredrickson,
George M. Racism: A Short History. Oxfordshire, New Jersey:
Princeton University Press, 2002. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.
<http://books.google.co.in/books?id=ohePlRGBdg4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=racism&hl=en&sa=X&ei=uIZ4Uqa6J4HBrAfV2IHwDw&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=racism&f=false>.
Swayne, Matt.
“Social Stressors Like Racism And Discrimination Can Impact Healthy
Functioning.” Medical News Today 7 Mar. 2011:
n. pag. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/218209.php>.
