1960s Hitherto Africa American Discrimination - Research Paper Example

? 1960’s_Hitherto Africa American Discrimination Introduction Immense effort has been committed towards the eradication and awareness of discrimination in all its forms since the 1960’s, but to date, the practice is still ubiquitous (Rowe, 2003). Despite this, the fact that the perception of the term has changed cannot be overlooked. In modern times, the term refers primarily to racial bias which is directed towards minorities. To date, African Americans are yet to be released from the clutches discrimination, although it is not clear if the basis of the discrimination is ethnic or based on racial groupings. For this reason, it is critical to analyze the challenges Africans Americans have faced in terms of discrimination since the 1960’s, (an era of intense civil activation), till presently, to impede the actions those who perpetrate any acts of discrimination. Discussion In this day and age, discrimination that is directed towards any particular group ought to be reviled. According to Scott (2003) the existing forms of discrimination are expressed towards African American, though there is evidence that other groups are still subject to it. Discriminations against African American is evident in the economic and social structures of the country. For instance, a study that was conducted on Racial Climate by a Committee Of Minority Interests in 2011, revealed that a black middle class family earns 18% less in comparison to an average middle class white family. It further revealed that only 42% of black middle class families own their homes in comparison to 72% of middle class white families who own their homes. With regard to employment. The rate of unemployment among blacks is double compared to white people. It further highlighted the fact that a significant number of companies are still hiring a majority of white people. It cited an example of Microsoft, of which out of the 20,000 employees, 2000 are white in comparison to the 544 black employees. Racial discrimination is also present in the judicial system, as 98% of the judges are white. It drew attention to the fact that the probability of a black man being imprisoned is 8 times more than a white man, yet 74% of sentences are given to black men (Scott, 2012). The findings of the study clearly bring to light the fact that a majority of African Americans are still stereotyped and given differential treatment because of the color of their skin. Discrimination has its roots in slavery. Slavery in the States commenced as soon as the English colonialists got established in Virginia, until the implementation of the thirteenth amendment In the year 1865 (Rowe, 2003). As the 18th century commenced, racism with regard to slavery could only be applied to black Americans and individuals that were of African descent. The 19th century ushered in the embodiment of institutionalized racism and the legality of discrimination against African Americans (Scott, 2012). Despite the fact that they were allowed to pole taxes and vote, the laws that dealt with discrimination and various acts of terror were instrumental in ensuring that black Americans were kept disenfranchised in the southern regions. Racial discrimination, segregation and the expression of white supremacy was worst in this era in comparison to all other points in time. At the same time, lynching, race riots and anti –black violence was also at its peak during this era. Through the entire twentieth century, African Americans that held any possessions that gave them access to power such as entertainers, politicians and activists advocated intensely for civil rights. The 1960’s welcome the culmination of the African American civil rights groups. This had been fueled by the disintegration of schools in the year 1954 (Rowe, 2003). The years that came after the 1960’s African Americans experienced vast amounts of discrimination. They would be considered as trash and that is how the white people treated them. An interesting fact is that as much as the African Americans were treated as the insignificant of the society, they also regarded the whites as trash (Scott, 2012). As the mid-1960’s came around, significant progress had been made by the civil rights movements in making the federal government put an end to legalized segregation, which was achieved by the implementation of the civil rights acts of 1964. Despite this milestone, cities that were in urban centers still practiced De facto segregation, which was segregation that was based on economic inequalities. De facto segregation was not easy to do away with since is affected both the people of color and the white people that lived in poverty. The concept of the ruling class using racism as a weapon is an element that is feared since the black middle class is raising. It is known for a tendency to join forces with fellow work mates from other races. The working class is facing a threat of worsening living standards because of attacks from the big businesses. From the year 1973 to the year 1995, approximately 80% of the employed force, has expressed a decline in income by 18%. In the years between 1960 and 1970, blacks emigrated into towns, and they played a major role in the establishment of trade unions, the impressing fact is that by the year 1983, 27 % of the members were black compared to the 19% who were whites (Rowe, 2003). A closer analysis of the dynamics of discrimination in the 1960’s to the lasted decade show that presently the entire black population earns only 58% of the earnings of the white Americans. In the year 1979, an African American worker was very likely to earn 10.9% less than what a white employee in the same position would earn. In 1989, the gap widened to 16%. According to an analysis that was conducted by the American Institute of Financial Equity, the gap between the white and black earnings had increased to 50% from the year 1979 to the year 1989. In terms of education, the greatest increase in the gap was among the graduates from college, with a 2.5% gap widening to 15.5% from the years 1979 to 1989 (Scott, 2012). Despite the fact that the black middle class has grown, affirmative action has not been effective in reducing the deterioration of the mass. Conclusion Being in the 21st century, there is a possibility that discrimination is a menace that will never be eradicated from society. Making a comparison between present times and the 1960’s, the law and affirmative action has made great strides to protect individuals from discrimination, but perhaps the answer lies in socialization and cultural norms. Humans have a responsibility to overpass the delicate subject of equality. Much suffering and many lives have been lost. It is time to turn over a new leaf, although humanity should not forget the discrimination is something that exists in all the parts of the world. It is essential to understand that it is not a conflict between the blacks and the whites, but a clash between all of humanity. References Rowe, M. (2003). BARRIERS TO EQUALITY:The Power of Subtle Discrimination to Maintain Unequal Opportunity. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 1-17. Retrieved from: http://web.mit.edu/ombud/publications/barriers.pdf Scott, L. (2012). The Relation Of Racial Identity And Racial Socialization To Coping With Discrimination Among African American Adolescents. Journal of Black Studies, 520-538. Read More