Introduction
For the world to be sustainable in the short run and in the long run, resources have to be distributed equally among all people.Ideally, the concept of equality is effective in ensuring that the resources that are available within a given societal setting are utilized in a sustainable manner hence meeting the needs and requirements of every stakeholder.
However, this is not always the case within our societies. The concept of segregation has always been applied in the utilization of common resources within a given societal setting. In the contemporary world, segregation is based on gender, race, culture, religion, and background (OTV, n.d.). As a result, there are individuals who believe that they are more superior to others due to their race, religion, or family backgrounds. In this respect therefore, this paper will focus on race and the effects that it has within the society.
Race
When travelling by bus, eating in a restaurant, watching a football match in a stadium, attending a lecture or stuck in traffic, we are always surrounded by other people. Despite our differences, we always notice one inevitable distinction; race. We always tend to classify people based on their skin color, hair form, the shapes of their bodies and as well as the shapes of their eyes.
As a result, we end up classifying people as African Americans, Asians, Latin, or White. Moreover, people have always linked race with other internal differences within individuals such as intelligence and athleticism. It is due to such beliefs that some individuals believe that there are races that are more superior as compared to others bringing about social stratification based on race.
The United States of America comprises of many races. To ensure its sustainability, the constitution of the United States of America aims at achieving equality for all. However, given the high rates of racism within the nation, the constitution has failed in achieving this goal.
For instance, due to their dark skin color, African Americans have always been regarded as inferior human beings as compared to White Americans. As a result, traits such as low levels of intelligence, susceptibility to diseases and presence of primitive anatomical structures have always been linked to them.
The results of Hoffman’s study in 1895 revealed that due to their weak genetic makeup, the African race would become extinct (OTV, n.d.). However, from the studies that have been conducted using modern technology, it has been revealed that the genetic constitution of individuals of different races is highly similar. Consequently, there are individuals from segregated races who have proved to be more intelligent or physically stronger than members of the elite races are.
For instance, African Americans dominate basketball and track and field in the United States, sports that were initially dominated by White Americans. At the same time, there are many scholars in different fields whose backgrounds originate from minority races. Thus, the concept of race is not a biological fact but an excuse to bring about social differences. Thus, given the same resources and exposure, individuals of different races can exhibit relatively similar characteristics.
Conclusion
Despite this realization, racism is still a major problem in the contemporary world. Racial segregation is present in almost all modern societies across the world. Consequently, the distribution of resources within many nations is highly dependent on race.
In the USA for instance, the rate of employment for White Americans is higher than that of African Americans and other minority communities. Therefore, race is a belief that has manifested itself in the minds of individuals and if it is not checked, it will be difficult for the world to accept and embrace the concept of equality.
Reference
OTV (Executive Producers). (n.d.). Race: The Power of An Illusion- The Difference Between Us. Wacky World, OTV