Racial Issues in the United States
The issue of race has been widely analyzed and examined by many American sociologists. For very many years, racial issues have continued to affect the economic and social welfare of many American citizens. The “immigration rates experienced over the past three centuries have made the United States one of the most racially-diverse nations in the globe” (Levin 6). The historic election of the first African American president was seen as a new beginning for positive race relations in the country. However, half of the population believes strongly that racism is still a major challenge in the country today.
As well, racial tensions have increased significantly in the country within the past three decades. Such “tensions have led to animosities and oppressions especially within the country’s criminal justice system” (Bonilla-Silva 29). Takaki observed that many Americans were segregated in different parts of the country (89). Statistics have indicated that “around 70 percent of American citizens interact, work, and collaborate with individuals from their own race” (Bonilla-Silva 31).
Similar findings have proved that over 75 percent African Americans and Hispanic Americans are treated unfairly in the country (Bonilla-Silva 32). Some of these “cases of discrimination are encountered in different workplaces, shopping malls, restaurants, healthcare centers, and criminal justice systems” (Bonilla-Silva 49).
Takaki indicates that more African Americans are arrested and incarcerated every year (51). Very few majority whites have friends or relatives who have been incarcerated within the past five decades. This issue shows clearly that racism is a major challenge that is experienced in different sectors, institutions, and fields. Bonilla-Silva argues that racism is one of the causes of socioeconomic imbalances and inequalities in the United States (65). The problem of racial segmentation has been observed in lending, politics, elections, housing, employment, and education (Bonilla-Silva 97). These facts therefore explain why racism has always permeated every aspect of life in the nation.
Solutions and Recommendations
Several strategies can be undertaken in order to address this problem of racism in the United States. To begin with, all American citizens should have access to various resources such as education, healthcare, and housing. The government should use the concept of economic inclusion to empower every racial group. The government can avail new job opportunities and financial resources to various minority groups. The criminal justice system should also be reformed in order to improve the level of justice.
Every citizen should be able “to get fair trial” (DiTomaso 48). The government should also make new amendments to minimize the level of racial discrimination. Such reforms will eliminate institutionalized discrimination and racism in the country.
As well, new campaigns must be undertaken in order to sensitize more people about the negative implications of racism (Bobo and Fox 324). Such campaigns will encourage workers, employers, and policymakers to focus on the concept of inclusion. It is also agreeable that some minority races have been oppressed for very many years. The government has a role to support such groups in order to achieve the best economic potentials (Lentin 72).
By so doing, more people will be empowered and encouraged to promote this concept of inclusion. Sociologists believe strongly that the issue of race might result in numerous challenges in the future. That being the case, the most appropriate measures must be undertaken in an attempt to promote justice and equality.
Works Cited
Bobo, Lawrence and Cybelle Fox. “Race, Racism, and Discrimination: Bridging Problems, Methods, and Theory in Social Psychological Research.” Social Psychology Quarterly 66.4 (2003): 319-332. Print.
Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. Racism Without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America. New York, NY: Rowman and Littlefield, 2013. Print.
DiTomaso, Nancy. The American Non-Dilemma: Racial Inequality Without Racism. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation, 2013. Print.
Lentin, Alana. Racism and Ethnic Discrimination. New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2014. Print.
Levin, Shana. “Social Psychological Evidence on Race and Racism.” Compelling Interest Journal 1.1 (2014): 1-20. Print.
Takaki, Ronald. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Boston, MA: Little Brown and Company, 2008. Print.