| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | fairness and elitism. The American political system |
| The state of relations between Blacks and Whites | | | | is divided down racial lines, and so is the economic |
| in the U.S. still suffers greatly, and a lack of | | | | power grid. In fact, both are visibly lopsided, and |
| recognition and understanding by the public and | | | | some believe this sits at the core of racial division. |
| the government only exacerbates the problem. | | | | Fundamentally, a war between the "haves" and |
| For decades, the U.S. government has been | | | | "have-nots". |
| repeatedly accused of neglecting this problem by | | | | Many Americans do not recognize certain |
| not properly addressing its components - which | | | | instances of racism since they are subtle, or |
| are oftentimes vividly played out in schools, on | | | | difficult to detect. For many, there is a nagging |
| the streets, in the media, and in the workplace. | | | | desire to believe that the civil rights movement of |
| One of the loudest complaints by Americans is | | | | the 1960s solved the problems that were carried |
| that Congress and the Federal Government have | | | | over from prior history. But clearly, this is not the |
| never waged war against racism. While billions are | | | | case. |
| spent fighting terrorist regimes thousands of miles | | | | Adversely, there are those who sadly hold on to |
| away from the U.S., the government has allowed | | | | anger and bitterness which is directed towards |
| race relations within American communities to | | | | history's atrocities. However, harboring these |
| diminish. There is a rekindled White supremacy | | | | types of emotions, cloud ethical judgment and |
| movement, which discredits many sociologists | | | | prevents progress by destroying the opportunities |
| who claim that racism no longer exists. These | | | | for growth and healing. |
| extremist groups, including the KKK and | | | | While systemic and institutionalized racism have |
| anti-government organizations, have seen a rapid | | | | robbed people of color of the many advantages |
| increase in membership since September 11. | | | | available to others in the U.S., the problems do not |
| There are also Black and Hispanic gangs that | | | | lie squarely with White Americans. A number of |
| advocate intolerance, and by doing so, promote | | | | influential Black leaders have often been quoted |
| violence. | | | | spewing disparaging remarks about Whites and |
| While these are vivid displays of blatant racism | | | | other ethnicities. There are also bouts with |
| that need unprecedented attention, there are | | | | intra-racism in many Black communities which |
| other forms of inequality that may have a more | | | | further separates a group of people who should |
| profound effect on livelihood. During the Hurricane | | | | be solidified in their uniqueness. |
| Katrina evacuations, many media outlets and | | | | Cultures change and fluctuate over the years, and |
| reporters referred to the largely Black population | | | | American race relations are progressively moving |
| of displaced New Orleanians as, "refugees". Some | | | | towards more individuality and intolerance, and |
| wonder whether these same labels would have | | | | less towards harmony. Whether this is fueled by |
| been applied to White persons fleeing San | | | | anger, fear, or miscommunication, the fact |
| Francisco during a similar disaster. Coupled with | | | | remains that the end result is a divided nation. |
| economic and political inequalities, media | | | | The quality of the human experience within U.S |
| insensitivity can create heightened resentment | | | | borders can be vastly effected by skin color and |
| since these types of misaligned portrayals can | | | | economic status, and the country cannot sustain |
| reach large audiences. | | | | this type of disconnect much longer. |
| For many in the U.S., racial inequality is about | | | | |