Racism Still Exists Today

Founded by a band of rogue British colonists, the United States has always prided itself in its knew idea of freedom and rights like two shiny diamonds. In schools we chant “for liberty and justice for all” in the same phrase of “under God”. Yet we also pride ourselves in the unique concept of division of church and state. From the perspective of a foreigner, this country is very perplexing. This article, instead of confusing humans living outside of these boundaries, baffles the in-land-born Americans. Ethics of Living Jim Crow shows the United States’ incapability in sustaining its idealistic equality. How is it that “justice for all” was ignored for these poor black southerners? Have we changed today?

Racism is a subject the United States has had to deal with since its founding. The beginning of this issue stems from slavery. At the origins of our nation, justice for all was only considered towards whole people, not 3/5ths of people. From that point on, blacks have only tried to readjust this gap. By the 1930s, African Americans had been promoted from farm animals to people, but not yet full U.S. citizens. Just like bodies on a battle field, those of the opposite color were shot at incessantly. But blacks had no guns. ‘“How come yuhh didn’t hide?’ she asked me. ‘How come yuh awways fightin’?’” Though considered people, African Americans have never stopped losing their humanity. “Whut yuh tryin’ t’ do, nigger, git smart?” for blacks aren’t meant to learn. “They said, you got to ‘stay in your place’ if you want to keep working” for a black man to not act how a white man wants is unacceptable. “This watchman boasted of having killed two Negroes in self-defense” for people without rights aren’t real citizens thus gun targets. This nation has never stopped giving disadvantages to African Americans, and to this day, we still deal with this issue.

Inequality still exists here today. Sadly, news media and politicians like keeping this problem concealed (in urban terms as ‘on the D.L.’). By ignoring the issue, there is none, right? Well, that’s what it seems like to 60% of the U.S. population, but for those black men who try to walk down streets without getting pulled over by the cops, this secret discrimination is made evident. Coming from an African American family, I have too many personal stories. My first tale engaged in our little home town of McFarland. My black cousin named Jonathen had come with his cousin and mother to visit the United States in 2007. 14-years-old at the time, my brother had decided to bike with my cousin to the now demolished Family Dollar. My brother Sisco of much darker skin tone then me had chosen Family Dollar for its reasonable assortments of candies at low prices. Eating their cheap food, my cousin and my brother walked out of the store and chose to enjoy their treats under the sun near the store. Only minutes after their seating did a police officer role in front of the young boys. He asked them, not delicately, what they were doing in front of this store apparently loitering. With their bitten candy they explained how they had bought chocolate and now were eating it in front of the store they had bought it from. The officer frustrated got back in his car and drove away.    

Racism still exists in the U.S. Events such as Darren Wilsons murder reminds us of this reality. Though some U.S. citizens can’t see it, I bet if they asked around they would find something.