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Opinions on whether racism remains a significant issue in the United States are deeply divided. A Pew Research Center survey found that 53% of Americans believe the bigger problem is people not recognizing racial discrimination where it exists, while 45% think it's people seeing discrimination where there isn't any (Pew Research Center).
This divide is split along racial and political lines, with 88% of Black adults and 80% of Democrats emphasizing the former, compared to only 45% of White adults and 26% of Republicans (Pew Research Center).
Many Americans acknowledge progress toward racial equality, but significant numbers, especially Black Americans, argue that much more needs to be done (Pew Research Center).
Racism today is often less overt than in the past, but it is no less harmful. It's hidden in policies, practices, and social norms that perpetuate inequality. Here are some examples that illustrate how racism remains embedded in our society:
There’s a growing movement to "protect" children from learning about the ugly truths of our history, including slavery and segregation. This whitewashing of history prevents us from understanding the full impact of racism and how it has shaped our society.
Without this knowledge, we cannot effectively address the ongoing disparities that stem from these historical injustices (Human Rights Careers) (Futurity). For instance, recent attempts to limit discussions Black history and slavery in schools are a clear example of how the systemic racism of the past continues to influence the present (Human Rights Careers).
Take a stroll through any underprivileged neighborhood. Notice anything? Poverty hits hardest in Black and Brown communities. According to a report by the Economic Policy Institute, Black Americans are more than twice as likely to live in poverty as their white counterparts (Human Rights Careers).
In 2020, 19.5% of Black people lived below the poverty line compared to 8.2% of white people (Futurity). The systemic barriers that perpetuate this disparity are a testament to the lingering effects of racism. Slavery and subsequent discriminatory practices laid the foundation for America's wealth, yet the descendants of those who were enslaved still suffer economically.
Black Americans are disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, and wage gaps. They are also more likely to be denied loans or offered unfavorable terms, perpetuating a cycle of economic disadvantage (Human Rights Watch) (Human Rights Watch). Studies show that Black applicants are often given higher interest rates on loans and are more likely to be denied mortgages compared to white applicants with similar financial profiles (Human Rights Watch) (OHCHR).
Black Americans are incarcerated at more than five times the rate of white Americans (Human Rights Watch). The Sentencing Project reveals that one in three Black men can expect to go to prison in their lifetime (OHCHR).
This isn't because Black people commit more crimes; it's because they are more likely to be arrested, charged, and receive harsher sentences for the same offenses as white people (American Sociological Association). If this isn’t a glaring indicator of systemic racism, I don’t know what is.
This system of mass incarceration not only removes individuals from their communities but also creates barriers to employment, education, and voting rights, entrenching economic and social inequality (Human Rights Watch) (OHCHR). Additionally, Black youth are more likely to be tried as adults and receive harsher sentences than their white peers (Human Rights Watch).
Who holds the lowest-paying jobs? Black workers are disproportionately represented in low-wage industries such as food service, retail, and home health care. They are also less likely to be hired for high-paying jobs, even when they have the same qualifications as white applicants (Human Rights Careers) (Futurity).
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that resumes with "Black-sounding" names receive fewer callbacks than those with "white-sounding" names, highlighting the persistent racial bias in hiring practices (Human Rights Watch).
Systemic racism in healthcare has resulted in Black Americans receiving inferior medical care compared to white Americans. Studies show that Black patients are less likely to receive pain medication and are more likely to die from treatable conditions due to delayed or inadequate care (Human Rights Careers) (Human Rights Watch).
For example, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, largely due to differences in the quality of care received (Human Rights Careers) (Human Rights Watch).
Food deserts, areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, disproportionately affect Black communities. This leads to higher rates of diet-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension among Black Americans. Supermarkets and grocery stores are less likely to be located in Black neighborhoods, contributing to ongoing health disparities (Human Rights Careers).
Voter suppression is a significant issue affecting Black communities. Tactics such as strict voter ID laws, purging of voter rolls, and reducing the number of polling places in predominantly Black neighborhoods disproportionately disenfranchise Black voters (Brennan Center for Justice) (Human Rights Watch).
For instance, long lines at polling places, often in Black and minority neighborhoods, discourage voting. Similarly, voter ID laws can be a barrier for those who do not have the required identification, which is more common among Black and low-income individuals (Brennan Center for Justice) (Human Rights Watch).
Efforts to limit early voting and mail-in voting also disproportionately impact Black voters, who are more likely to use these methods due to work schedules, transportation issues, and other barriers (Human Rights Watch).
Not allowing people with a felony to vote after time servied is out of step with the rest of the world. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/06/27/us-outlier-denying-voting-rights-criminal-convictions
We often espouse the belief that "all men are created equal," yet invisible white supremacist ideas permeate every aspect of our culture. These ideas are so ingrained that many of us fail to recognize our own participation in perpetuating them. This episode of Oprah from 1992 with Jane Elliott is amazing to watch in 2024.
Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, acts of discrimination. They can manifest in seemingly benign actions or comments, like clutching a purse tighter around a Black man or assuming a Black colleague is less competent. My boss, a Black man, told me how a customer had complimented him with the statement "Wow, I am impressed at how articulate you are."
These daily slights reinforce negative stereotypes and contribute to a hostile environment for people of color (Human Rights Careers) (Futurity). For instance, studies have shown that Black professionals often face undue scrutiny and are less likely to be promoted compared to their white counterparts, even when they perform at the same level (Human Rights Careers) (OHCHR).
Choosing to send our children to "good" schools often means segregating them from schools with higher Black and Brown populations. This not only reinforces racial segregation but also deprives these schools of resources and opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of inequality (Futurity) (American Sociological Association). Schools in predominantly Black neighborhoods receive less funding and have fewer resources, leading to significant disparities in educational outcomes (Human Rights Careers).
The fear of Black men, ingrained through media portrayals and societal narratives, leads to discriminatory behaviors and policies. This fear manifests in various ways, from calling the police on Black individuals for mundane activities to supporting policies that disproportionately harm Black communities (American Sociological Association) (Futurity). Research has shown that Black men are more likely to be stopped by police, even in predominantly white neighborhoods, reflecting deep-seated racial biases within law enforcement (Human Rights Careers) (Human Rights Watch).
To dismantle these invisible chains, we must first acknowledge their existence. We must confront our own biases and the systemic structures that perpetuate inequality. Education is key—both in understanding our history and in recognizing the subtle forms of racism that persist today.
Racism may be more hidden today, but it is not gone. It is only by confronting these invisible chains that we can hope to erase hate and achieve true equality. Acknowledging our shared humanity and the equal worth of every individual is the first step toward a just and inclusive society.
A crucial step towards erasing racism is recognizing that fighting for the most marginalized in our community benefits everyone. Allowing society to mistreat the marginalized negatively impacts all our lives. For example, when we don't ensure a minimum living wage, it leads to wage stagnation for everyone. Similarly, failing to protect workers' rights ultimately jeopardizes our own rights. True happiness and societal well-being are achieved when we create an environment where everyone can succeed and live good lives. It’s not a zero-sum game; providing support, such as free food for those in need, doesn’t mean we get less—it means we build a stronger, more equitable community for all.
Some people argue against handing out free benefits or waiving college debt because they didn't receive such support themselves and feel it's unfair. This perspective is understandable, but it overlooks the broader societal benefits of these policies. Here are some solid examples and explanations to address these concerns:
It's easy to think, "I didn't get these benefits, so why should anyone else?" But consider this: if companies are allowed to trample over worker rights, they can trample over your rights too. Here's how supporting these measures directly impacts you:
