Introduction
Despite decades of struggle for equal rights and freedoms of marginalized communities, racism and other forms of discrimination still thrive in present-day American society. Specifically, the problem of racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, and the associated biases against vulnerable people is rampant in my community. Although the presence of social media introduces a plethora of opportunities for a balanced perspective, the strong influence of stereotypes and misconstrued ideas promoted by institutionalized racism affect the relationships within my community adversely.
Discussion
Examining the issue of racism, one will have to admit that it is present in most U.S. cities to a different extent. However, the entirety of Florida remains one of the largest communities where racist ideas prevail (Greer & Cavalhieri, 2019). The specified phenomenon can be explained by the history of the state, namely, its infamous role in the formation and spreading of the KKK, as well as less dangerous yet nonetheless harmful groups affecting the promotion of racist ideas (Greer & Cavalhieri, 2019). Though Florida has made significant progress since the Civil Rights Movement era, a large portion of its population remains hostile to African American people, as well as people of other ethnicities and diverse backgrounds (Greer & Cavalhieri, 2019). The observed issue is particularly evident in the issues such as police violence, which typically affects the African American population (Greer & Cavalhieri, 2019). However, the phenomenon of racism has percolated into every area of citizens’ lives.
In addition to the issue of racial disparities, other instances of inequality are also present in Florida. Specifically, the issue of women’s rights remains a contentious one, particularly, about bodily autonomy. For instance, Florida has been particularly notorious for its enforcement of restrictions on abortion, in which the overturning of Roe v. Wade has resulted (Greer & Cavalhieri, 2019). In addition, the phenomenon of gender conformity has been a major source of concern. For instance, Florida school dress codes have recently been defined as sexist, primarily, due to the overly vast focus on whether the clothes that girls wear are supposedly distracting for boys (Solochek, 2022). The specified case indicates that sexist ideas are also firmly entrenched in the very fabric of the Florida community.
The one-sidedness of the specified judgment coupled with the idea that the blame for sexism and objectification of girls should be transferred to the girls’ choices as opposed to the boys’ perceptions and prejudices, indicates that sexism is still prevalent in Florida residents. However, given the change launched to address the specified concern, there are reasons to assume that the problem of sexism will gradually be resolved in the Florida community (Greer & Cavalhieri, 2019). Specifically, changes can be made by shedding light on the issue and promoting active discussion thereof. Thus, the underlying factors that promote the current racist and sexist perceptions and ideas will be identified and addressed accordingly.
Conclusion
Despite the admittedly positive impact of social media on the development of the public image of racial justice and equality, the persistence of stereotypes and the problem of systemic racism skew the balance significantly. As a result, the problem of racism remains quite tangible in Florida. To address the concern in question, additional efforts must be taken to involve the target audience in the active dialogue. Thus, the current failure of cross-cultural communication and the promotion of social justice will be addressed gradually by changing the target population’s perceptions and attitudes.
References
Greer, T. M., & Cavalhieri, K. E. (2019). The role of coping strategies in understanding the effects of institutional racism on mental health outcomes for African American men. Journal of Black Psychology, 45(5), 405-433. Web.
Solochek, J. S. (2022). Florida school districts target sexism in student dress codes.Tampa Bay Times. Web.