Why Is Racial Inequality Still an Problem in America?

Racial inequality may be defined as disparities and social advantages that affect different races within America. Time wise and D. Watkins are anti-racist writers who wrote the books "Colorblind" and "The Beast" respectively to talk about issues of inequalities by focusing on invisible racism during the era of former US president, Barrack Obama. During his election, people had learnt how to accept people of other colors but there still exist disparities in four major areas such as healthcare, employment, education and housing (Wise, 23). Wise brings out the invisible racism which according to him has been caused by colorblind social policies. These inequities may be demonstrated in the distribution of opportunities, power, life, and wealth, afforded to people based on their race or ethnicity. These can also be seen as a result of inequality of inheritance, historic oppression, or overall prejudice, mostly against minority groups. Racial inequality is a major problem that has been affecting the United States for over hundred years. Both Watkins and Time wise condemn racism in America because they feel that people of other color are being discriminated against by all institutions of government such as schools, hospitals among others. The two activists argue sometimes racism come naturally and an individual who acts upon it may fail to realize that they are being racist. Racial inequality began with slavery where black were captured from Africa to work for the whites in their farms. Thesis Statement: Although there have been claims that racial inequality is not a major issue does not exist in America, it is because effects of the minority group are adverse. Major causes of racial inequality include poor upbringing, fear of displacement, and government policies. Racial inequality is a major problem in America because it denials people opportunities, life, power, and wealth.

According to Wise colorblind social policies are the major causes of racial inequality in America. These policies are based to lift up the lives of the minority and the poor people by improving their economic status. Wise condemns these policies because they worsen the problem of the people of color by discriminating them from others. Government formulates policies as a way of equipping the people of color with employment and healthcare. The American constitution does not strongly protect people of other colors from discrimination but it sometimes makes the situation worse by blocking them from practicing their democratic rights such as voting. To have a conducive society, the rule of law should be exercised equally to everyone and not favor one group over the other (Watkins, 112. Fear of loss or displacement is the last cause of racial inequality in America. The minority group fears that if the join hands and fight against racism they may be displaced from America and due to this fear they choose to bear with the situation and secure their identity.

An economic force is another cause of racial inequality in America because the minority groups remain poor and live in poor housing. The election of Obama strengthened the politics on anti-racism where the advocates of colorblindness claim that the problems faced by people of color such as the blacks in the America which may view as racism is caused by economic forces. Programs were therefore established to equip them but they ended up making their situations worse. Instead of lifting their economic status racism persisted making the blacks and people of other color to live Strule for opportunities (Wise, 123). In colorblind, Wise says that racism still exist because people are less conscious about it and its effects. Parents teach their kids negative attitude toward people of other color without considering their effects. Young kids take after their parent's opinions and altitude and the white parents teach them that they are the only important people simply because they are white. Since they rely on whatever they are taught by their parents they grow up knowing that people of the other color are not as important as they are and they start discriminating against them. Kids cannot discriminate against another person without getting a wrong attitude about them from their parents. For instance, if the adults have a negative attitude against a certain group then the child will take up from them a start treating that group differently.

Racial inequality has affected many people in America. There are several instances where black men are brutally beaten to death in police cell. Racism causes loss of lives to blacks as they are short every day by the police when they involve in a peaceful demonstration or simple violence (Watkins, 176). Young men especially from the minority colors such as blacks are killed every day in police custody, in the streets and in others areas and no one speaks for them. If they holds peaceful demonstrations they are brutally killed along the streets by the police. Racial inequality in America has caused many lives and people try to fight against it. The whites feel that they are of more importance than the other groups and therefore they treat them differently. People of other colors also find it hard to look for employment opportunities. They continue struggling for poor paying jobs because the society reserves the well-paying ones for the white only. The minority groups remain in poverty because they cannot access employment opportunities and are denied access to social amenities such as school and hospitals. Racial inequality has caused the minority groups unfair ruling in the judicial systems. Judges are also racist and they rule in favor of their white fellow who may be guilty and sentence a black man who is innocent. It is the reason why there are many black people in jails since police and the judges assume they are guilty before the trial (Watkins, 155).

According Watkins the effects of racism are adverse because it has claimed many lives as opposed to what people expected under Obama era. Watkins lacks evidence that the era has ushered in post-racial America era since many death have been associated with race. For example, Trayvon Martin was killed by a cop in Florida. Other instances include South Carolina which was all over the news and also Baltimore (Watkins, 133). These instances demonstrate that there is clear economic, geographic and racial difference in firearm violence in America. The black race has been neglected in this county and therefore everyone sees them as criminals. When most people lost their lives there was a concern that black people are in danger in America because they are killed brutally by police. Most of the blacks are poor and do not afford to enroll in colleges and universities. They turn to gun and drugs violence as a way to find funds for their needs. Green suggests that the society should be concerned and understanding about the role poverty, race, and other social pressures (Watkins, 155). The municipal should intervene in public health to ensure that they blacks gun victims receive urgent medical services to save their lives.

The state should also make policies that concern the black wellbeing so that they may feel included in the government. Most of the black people who never got chance to attend to school lack employment opportunities because they do not have required qualifications. The state should create employment opportunities so that they would be able to cater to their needs and those of their families (Wise, 145). The government may also come up with policies that will provide training to equip them with the required skills and knowledge. Poverty reduction programs by training the black people ways of being self-employed would helpful in reducing gun crimes. The state of Florida should lay strategies to curb structural racism.

Conclusion

In conclusion, racial inequality is a major problem that has been affecting the United States. Some of its main causes include poor upbringing, fear of displacement or loss of identity, the constitution among others. These inequities may be demonstrated in the distribution of opportunities, power, life, and wealth, afforded to people based on their race or ethnicity. Racial inequality is a major problem in America because it denials people opportunities, life, power, and wealth. People of color die in police custody as Watkins explains and even along the roads as police have no mercy when they notice a black violent man. To have a conducive society, the rule of law should be exercised equally to everyone and not in favor of one group over the other. Technology has spread worldwide and people are getting informed about racism every day. Education has a significant role to play to change the stereotypical perceptions that people have and helps them develop an improved understanding of the multiethnic nature of the universe.

Works Cited

Wise, Tim. Colorblind: The rise of post-racial politics and the retreat from racial equity. City Lights Books, 2010.

Watkins, Dwight. The Beast Side: Living (and Dying) While Black in America. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., 2015.