An Issue of Racism in America - Essay Example

Racism in America is an issue that has existed almost from the beginning of the European settlement in this country five hundred years ago. The racism has not disappeared as one would have expected, but has instead become even worse over the years as the theory of white supremacy has become internalized by the various multiracial groups the occupy America. The racism that first began with the discrimination against the American Indians within their own land; the racism, which was used to justify the capture of black Africans from Africa, and their being brought to America to be put in the bondage of slavery. All of these incidents have worked for hand in hand over time to shape the racial attitudes and beliefs that are common in America today propagating the idea of white supremacy, although in such a way that most people do not recognize it anymore. One of the greatest effects of racism today is based on wealth, with a minority white population, known as the superrich, holding on to the majority of wealth in the country, while the rest are barely making a living. This situation was largely not noticed before the economic recession of 2007 when it was found out that these few wealthy individuals controlled most of the companies and institutions, which had brought this situation about in the first place. Many people then came to realize that these few people had ruined their lives.

When one considers the 1994 film The Jungle Book, one will see racism clearly displayed in it. Racist and discriminatory comments are shown throughout the film, mainly because the main character, Mowgli, was raised in the jungle and, therefore, has not been able to adopt any characteristics that one would call civilized. Despite the nobility of his character, as well as his innocence in various circumstances, Colonel Brydon does not consider him fit to be his daughter’s mate. Instead, Brydon shows a preference for William Boone, a soldier who is among their companions when they return to India. It can be suggested that Brydon’s preference for Boone is racially based because the latter is white, and his career prospects seem to be promising. This perception is further revealed when Bonilla-Silva argues that racial discrimination creates a language that helps to replicate the racial arrangement as just the way things are. This is because of the work of the nineteenth-century scientists, who used inaccurate data and faulty samples, to reach their conclusions concerning the races in part to justify the imperial activities of their countries in Africa and Asia, and to ensure ‘scientifically’ their dominant position in society. The standard grammar of American English has a lot in it that still enforces the idea of white supremacy. An example of this is how the media uses endearing terms such as beautiful when reporting news concerning white victims of tragic events. Nothing of the sort is said of those victims from minority races who just happen to be in the same circumstances. This is an unconscious action, which is a result of the terms, used especially against the black people during the age of slavery concerning the two races that white was beautiful and superior while black was ugly and inferior. These terms have also come to be used in the economic sense, and this can be seen in the current common perception that black (and other colored) people are poor. It is said that because of this poverty, more people of minority groups are more prone to commit crimes than white people are. The truth of this statement is highly doubtful, but this stereotype of black people in America is still persistent. Because of this, many more black men end up in prison, thus ensuring that the economic burden of their families is left to their women. It, therefore, becomes difficult for black people to build wealth because these women have to cater to the immediate needs of their families and tend to have no income to spare for savings.

According to Laura Douglas, most white people often display a racial bias unconsciously, as seen in The Jungle Book movie over Brydon’s attempt to stop his daughter’s attraction to Mowgli. Despite the fact that he likes Mowgli, he does not believe the latter to be suitable for his daughter. This example shows how white people tend not to see the overtly racist actions of other white people as serious enough for them to intervene or enough for them to deter their relationships with those who engage in such behavior. Although Boone throws Mowgli into prison after capturing him, it is seen that none of those who would have secured his release, such as Brydon, raise a hand to help him. Violence against minority groups in America does not get significant news attention from the mainstream media. Most of the culprits in these cases tend to be white upper or middle-income whites who are in a position to affect, significantly, the lives of minority races especially in key institutional areas such as corporate promotions and urban policing (Grant). The unconscious racial bias displayed by whites against black people and other people of color who are victims of white discrimination is only making the problem of racism in America become even worse, and it may help to reverse the gains made by the Civil Rights movement in the nineteen sixties. If such a situation was to go on, then it would be extremely difficult to fill the growing gap between the wealthy white population and the middle and low-income minority population.