Essay Sample on Racism in the US: Its Deep Roots and Unfortunate Modern Relevance

Every human being deserves to be treated with dignity and respect irrespective of their race, ethnicity, religion, or gender. However, despite numerous campaigns against injustices based on these differences, the goal is far from being achieved. The roots of racism existed even before the United States got its independence, yet it is still a significant issue in the modern world. What makes racism even worse is the fact that even the police are involved, yet they are the ones supposed to defend for the equal rights of every citizen. As a result of racism, many people, mostly people of color, continue suffering in silence and avoidance (Menakem, 142). The effects of racism can be and have been detrimental to the people affected and the people they associate with, like their family and friends.

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After practicing the first body practice requiring me to reflect on a situation when a black person was arrested and compare it to when a white body got arrested. I recalled the incident that took place immediately after my friends, and I graduated from high school. The day had been perfect, as we were all very excited to graduate from high school. I was overjoyed in finally finishing high school, and I was looking forward to joining college.

After the ceremony was over in school, my friends and I had planned a little party meant to commemorate our graduation from high school. The celebration was unique because it signified our readiness to open a new chapter in our lives. My friend Joe was having some alone time in the backyard. He was approached by people who he did not see well because it was dark.

One of them pointed a spotlight in his eyes and asked him for his ID. He asked them who they were, but instead of answering to him, one of the persons jerked him from where he was seating. The next thing I noticed is that one of the police officers rammed his body in the wall while he twisted his arm roughly.

Joe told them that they were hurting him, but that only seemed to provoke the police officer even more because he applied even more pressure. My friend Carl, who was also an African American, tried confronting them, but instead, he was handcuffed without any explanation. Both of them were forcefully put in the patrol car. The two police officers continued pounding them mercilessly.

Recently, I witnessed the arrest of white teenagers, a boy, and a girl who were caught shoplifting in a local supermarket. The police officers who arrested them were also white. In this case, they did not physically assault the two teenagers. They were simply handcuffed peacefully and put in the squad car. The drama I had witnessed in Joe’s case was absent here.

In Joe’s incident, I felt some form of hatred and betrayal towards the police who arrested him and to everyone who supports racism. They beat Joe and Carl up, yet they did not resist arrest but mainly because they were not white. However, in the second incident, the two teenagers were treated by the law. After the capture of Carl, I was afraid of the police and even feared that I might also experience the same someday. To Carl and Joe, the memories of the fateful day will remain in their minds years after the event itself. Even though the physical pain eventually healed, the mental effects of the dreadful day will forever stay in their minds.

I felt angry with the police officers for their brutality. At the same time, I was afraid of standing up for the rights of my friends mainly because most likely, they could have taken the same action against me. However, I felt betrayed by the police officers for being racist. Looking back at the two events, I realize that my attitude to law enforcers has changed. In conclusion, I believe that racism is a cancer that should not exist in our society. Everyone needs to understand that a person’s race does not define a person’s personality. Therefore, the community should work together to ensure that people know why it is essential to treat everyone equally besides.

Works cited

Menakem, Resmaa. My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies. Las Vegas, NV: Central Recovery Press, 2017.