Minorities in American Society - Essay Example

? Minorities in American Society By Insert Presented to Location Due Ronald Takaki uses Shakespeare’s play The Tempest to explain the origin of racism in America. It is notable that racism in America was characterized with biases and stereotypes. The subjects of racism in this country were mainly white servants, native Americans, African Americans, Irish Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and other groups categorized as minorities (Takaki, 1993). Asserting from theShakespeare’s play The Tempest, early American settlers perceived the Native Americans to be uncivilized and treated them ruthlessly and further forcefully acquired their land. Takaki explains the existing racism relating it with Shakespeare’s play where the early settlers dealt with Native Americans. Takaki uses the Caliban character to represent African immigrants and the Natives based on their skin color as they were considered unintelligent and were subjects of exploitations being perceived as slaves by their masters. Their dark color was highly associated with evil and was treated as something devilish. According to Takaki, Shakespeare’s Caliban character in The Tempest and the underlying predicaments compliment Takaki’s own explanation of America racism history. Takaki further dwells on this in detail, pointing out the existence of racism and social construction in America mainly on the politics. Takaki explanation notably has a direct relation to Shakespeare’s Tempest and this brings a better and clearer America’s ethnicity and racism. Takaki accomplishes this by drawing most of his illustration from Shakespeare’s The Tempest with an in-depth study of America’s movement from savagery to civilization. Bacon’s rebellion took place in Tidewater Virginia in 1676; the conflict was caused by the shortage of land. As a result of this there was intensive conflict between the Native American tribes and the white planters. The conflict involved black and white servants revolting against the wealthy and rich Virginia planters dominating them. Because of their ethnic background and race these subjects had been reduced into slaves, servants and lived without freedom in the colonies. There was increased number of the poor and the landless which further increased hostility. During the rebellion the colonial governor introduced ethnic and racial policies which favored friendly tribes while oppressing those perceived hostile. Nathaniel Bacon’s introduced “Declaration of the people “ which justified the ruthless and racial acts of the Englishmen towards Native Americans and other tribes, this further increased animosity and instability in Virginia. After the death of Bacon, domination of the planter elite continued majorly on the political systems and at the same time the policy of expansionist military was emphasized. The notable racial and ethnic establishments after the rebellion included the acceleration of chattel slavery in Virginia (Takaki, 1993). With the impacts of industrial revolution and waning of indentured servants from England, landless freeman class created the perception of the local authorities that justified slavery as favorable. This ethnic and racial perception continued to be emphasized believing that it will foster stability in Virginia. It is notable that in the book “The ‘Giddy Multitude’: The Hidden Origins of Slavery,” Takaki tries to explain the origin of slavery in United States of America and its impacts upto date. The author basically explains how slavery started and its abolishment initiatives. He shows how the both England whites and blacks were subjected to abuse and slavery. Slaves were treated poorly under the control of their brutal masters. The “Giddy Multitude” represented the population who were landless and there were wealthy big land owners. As a result of this the many free men had no freedom or right to land ownership as they had been promised and this triggered anger and revolt. As this disparity worsen the indentured servants and freemen resulted into revolution resulting into race war in America. It can be argued that Takaki arguments on the origin of slavery were based on class not the race because he provides that there were both black and white slaves. Further critically examining within the context of slavery there existed racism because the black slaves were punished harder as compared to the white slaves despite committing the same crime. Racism later took over class as the core characteristic of slavery. It is notable that eve though all the slaves were converted to Christians, laws were created which barred any free indian or black slave to purchase Christians. The greater distinction was now between the whites and blacks overshadowing religion or slavery. Therefore Takaki depicts that racism was deeply rooted in American early slavery. Whites, blacks, and Indians were allowed to share the same God but based on their races they did not share the same rights and freedoms as they were perceived inferior beings. The giddy multitude clearly explains the origin of slavery where slaves, indentured servants both blacks and whites came together to end the mistreatment that they endured everyday in the hands of their masters (Takaki, 1993). The election of Barack Obama as the first black president in the United States of America was an apparent blow to the long time racism legacy in the country. To such a white majority country it is undeniable that it was a milestone in fighting racism. It is notable that since the recognition of white in 1960s to full legal equality with the white there has been a perception by the whites to being second class citizens. The election and re-election of Barack Obama can be argued to significantly enhance the fight against racism in America. Barack Obama victory as the first black president has reduced racial tension and mistrust between the blacks and whites which is deep rooted in American history. The over four hundred years of black and other ethnic oppressions seems to diminish to an end each day. The intellectuality and any citizen’s credentials are no longer subjected to scrutiny and a lot of racial related questions. The American racial tensions are taking a different angle and this has attributed to Obama becoming a Nobel Peace Price and all the citizens from different races are proud of their national leader. It is notable that with the Obama administration introducing policies that curbs racism things are getting better and America can be argued to be a post-racial nation. Many whites no longer use the president to represent structural racism as this no longer hold back the capability of the black Americans and the natives. To bring clear the virtue that America is a post-racial state the country has received outpouring international goodwill and this brings in the aspect of equality to all and America has become a role model in the fight against racism to the global community. Obama has become ambassador of peace and equality among all the races by preaching to all races, creeds, tribes and colors across the borders successfully (Takaki, 1993). America holds the record of their first leader of western power from the minority race of the country at the time. American citizens are living testaments of America’s creed; this is evident in the first inaugural address of president Barrack Obama who emphasized on togetherness and the American people common creed. American creed is the common belief that as free people they can determine and shape their nation future by self-determination, compassion, equality, peace and hope. This creed was determined by the nations founding fathers who strived to establish a nation based on equality and freedom to all citizens. Ronald Takaki in regard to racism in 21st century notably after the election of Barack Obama as the first black president that “The ‘Giddy Multitude’’ have finally won the racial rebellion and it has reached the right time for America to be referred to as post-racial nation. It only remains for the governments and authorities to help the previously perceived to be inferior races get over the class oor racial ceiling to foster further equality in the nation. Takaki would recommend America to go further and set as example and role model because of its influence to fight against the oppression and racial acts globally. I think that the Blacks, Whites, Asians, Hispanics, Arabs and other ethnic and race groups in United States of America can come together on one stand in regard to the critical issues of this country because of the common creed that they all belief in as a nation. The creed has always been the uniting factor of this nation because it has proved to be a joint venture that is only authentic as it expands equality and the democratic promise of every citizen. American citizens have forged ahead with a joint effort and they all understand that it requires a lot of commitment, cooperation, collaboration and compromise. This has been achieved by weighing the common good advantage and gain above racial, ethic, personal or class interests. American people have always considered diversity as a strength and togetherness in building their successful nation. With the inclusiveness all the races are proud of fulfilling that creed. The mosaic unique heritage needs to be protected by this togetherness in governance and all aspects with the challenging of transforming the conceptual aspects of the country creed core aspects to something concrete that will foster strength and unity of United States of America. Reference Takaki, R. (1993). A different mirror: A history of multicultural America. New York: Little, Brown. Read More