How should racial inequality in the United States be fought?

Overview

Different races in U.S have been affected by the issue of racial inequality. In historic and in modern, minority groups have faced prejudice and discrimination in distribution of power and wealth. The imbalance of power is a big problem in U.S and it was rooted from economic and political issues many years ago. Racial inequality is socially constructed in U.S society and Americans put social distinctions in racial groups. In order to address this issue effectively, it is important to understand the major contributing factors. This method will help to come up with important solutions which will end racial inequality in U.S. 

 The issue of racial inequality in U.S should be addressed by implementing economic policy. Black people have struggled to fight for freedom for many years but they have never achieved their identity in American society. Black community has formed many organization and movements to end racial inequality, to create a common vision and to gain liberation. Focusing on history, industrialization and urbanization gave rise to racial inequalities where Black communities were discriminated in economic issues. When American established city factories in suburban areas, Black people could not enter in the suburbs areas and this led to an increase of racial segregation. Since this period, Black community has struggled to fight for freedom so that they can move from the high level of segregation.

 According to Kelley (2016), Black people demand for policy which will restructure the economy and provide equal rights. African Americans want the government to end violence and injustice and reinforce power and freedom. There is a need for a controlled economy and equality on education, health among other importance requirements. In fighting racial inequality and ensure economic equality which is the root cause of the problem, the government should end structural racism (Kelley, 2016). This will not only shape the Black lives but the transformation will also impact the whole nation. It is important to note that structural racism is socially constructed and this means that minority are not allowed to access social benefits or interact with Whites in social institutions. Other important point is that all forms of racism are rooted from structural racism because it holds the power from white supremacy. Culture, politics and social economic issues are enclosed in structural racism (Kelley, 2016). Therefore, if the structural racism will be eliminated, it means that the economy will be restructured and Black community will have collective ownership and community control. In addition, Black people will have the right for fair development, community participation and subjugation and surveillance will come to an end in Black communities. The main purpose of ending structural racism it to create “A vision for Black Lives” where marginalized and vulnerable Black people will live in a democratic society (Kelley, 2016). The point is that the vision will bring economic changes since Black people will enjoy economic security, war on terror will come to an end and free-trade policies. Elimination of structural racism will restore the economy in that Black community will access wealth in form of employment, infrastructure and education. If structural racism will come to an end, not only the Black communities will be changed but also the America and the whole world (Kelley, 2016).

 Platform provides important information based on economic policy and asserts that global capitalism which is associated with class inequality and lack of opportunities to minority should come to an end and honor the Blacks through reparations (PLATFORM, ND). Black people need self-determination so that they can have the culture as well as economic development. The point is that there is a need for economic policies where Black community will have the collective right to access natural wealth without any prejudice. The right to self-determination should be associated with economy in that Black people should have the right internal and externally so that they can have control over culture, political and economic development without the fear of secession (PLATFORM, ND).  In restructuring the economy, the government should end the war and allow Black people especially youth to access education system, end capital punishment, enforce anti-discrimination civil rights and end mass surveillance (PLATFORM, ND).

  I have a good reason why my recommendation is better than other alternatives. First, my point of view is that U.S government should implement economic policies and this is an effective way of ending racial inequality and in particular structural racism. This is because; structural racism is structured in a way that Black people are excluded in social institution. It is important to understand that structural racism leads to economic inequality and so a struggle to end structural racism will shape economy because there will be equal rights and in social institutions, Black people will have control over their community and as a result create social and economic development (Kelley, 2016).

 Other approaches such as colorblindness are not effective in fighting racial inequality.  This approach explains that Black people in American community should not be judged because of their black color (Bonilla-Silva, 2010). In other words, individuals should be treated equally regardless of race or culture.  However, this approach is insufficient in that if people will ignore color and stop discrimination, there will be a misunderstanding as people will not appreciate or value people different culture. Despite the fact that the approach focus on equality regardless of race, White society will demand high standards and social order. With colorblindness, people lack the awareness of racial in American society (Bonilla-Silva, 2010).  Black community will be affected in terms of cognitive performance. White community will not value the culture difference, they will not foster friendship nor have the interest to learn about the culture. Colorblindness means that people will ignore the race with no respect.  Instead of colorblindness, multiculturalism would work best in that all people will acknowledge the ethnoracial differences (Bonilla-Silva, 2010).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

PLATFORM. THE MOVEMENT FOR BLACK LIVES

 

KELLEY  D.G. ROBIN. (2016). POLITICS: What Does Black Lives Matter Want?

 

Bonilla-Silva, E. (2010). Racism without racists: Color-blind racism and the persistence of racial inequality

in the United States. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.