Challenge in American Society: Racial Discrimination - Essay Example

This paper illustrates that racism in America usually manifests through the policies of its major institutions. For example, before the 1960s, black children were not allowed to register in schools exclusively meant for white children. This policy of segregation was backed by law, which stated that the two communities were “equal but separate”. This is a classic instance of institutional discrimination based on race. There were also numerous other instances of institutional discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, and even religion.

Discrimination as a general concept is not so clearly defined but is rather subcutaneous in its expression. For example, no one generally proclaims that they will not marry a member of another race. But glancing through demographic data suggests that instances of inter-racial marriage still remain quite low. It is as if people are acting as per unstated rules. The law enforcement and prison system in the United States give further clues to general discrimination. In mainstream media, the black American community is generally associated with narcotics drug trade and gangster culture.

Irrespective of police officers, lawyers, and judges claiming that they are not prejudiced against minority communities, the incarceration and conviction rate is disproportionately high for minority communities. For example, although blacks constitute 30 percent of all crack users, almost 80 percent of crack-related convictions are handed to blacks. The numbers of African-American men who get involved in homicide cases are also disproportionately high. For example, although blacks constitute 30 percent of all crack users, almost 80 percent of crack-related convictions are handed to blacks.

The numbers of African-American men who get involved in homicide cases are also disproportionately high. This manner of discrimination is nothing new for the community, as their history in the United States is full of such injustices. For example, for nearly half of American history, they were used as slaves and servants. Even as recently as the 1960s, they were being discriminated against in schools and the workplace. Black men who write and perform hip hop and rap might seem to be expressing their newfound freedom and recognition, but in reality, they are only reinforcing negative stereotypes about their own community.

It is true that hip-hop artists such as Nelly and 50 cents have gained popularity and wealth through the success of their music. But these are exceptional cases and the majority of the African American community remains socially and economically backward. For example, more than 40 percent of black Americans do not have basic health insurance coverage because they cannot afford it. Representation of African Americans in mainstream media and culture can be misleading, whereby projections of ultra-masculine, rich and powerful black artists and sportsmen hide dark realities.