Racism in the USA

Posted by Jared in Human Rights, Politics, Race, Racism on March 30, 2010

Article by Louis Stanley Schoen, Minneapolis, MN © rev. October, 2009; may be reproduced with attribution

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Preface

Mounting hope has often been heard in the USA that issues of “race” are being resolved – or, even, sometimes, that they no longer exist. Conditions are vastly improved since the 1960s and before. There is growing awareness that science has disclaimed validity f or the concept of race, as historically understood. Inter-racial relationships are more common than in the past, especially among people under 30. The 2008 Presidential campaign set new benchmarks. Enthusiastic crowds were heard chanting, “Race doesn’t matter!” Barack Obama’s election thrilled millions and reflected greatly advanced inter-racial collaboration among political activists and openness among voters. Some commentator s claimed that it made us a “post-racial society.”

However, the weight of history is profound. It is still expressed in violence and public bigotry; more than 200 incidents were identified within a week after the election and extremist gr oups still thr eaten. Heavier impact is evident in the racial gaps in wealth, education, employment, imprisonment and predominant social relationships, among other conditions. Each of these was generated by past – and some current – public policies and practices favoring people of European ancestry. During the 2008 campaign, polls showed that more than a third of “white” voters still said they could not support a “black” candidate. The American white- supremacist ideology clearly is not a thing of the past.

Most housing and social life remain predominantly segregated by “race.” Memories and symbols associated with patriotic or scriptural teachings and images still often reflect “whiteness” or European heritage as normative. Uncle Sam is a tall Euroamerican relative. These traditions, even when individually denied, remain in collective social consciousness. They can annul wisdom born of contemporary experience, advanced study and higher values, whether currently attained or bequeathed by historic people. Hence, skin color, hair texture and facial features still seem to separate most people, and mark many for prejudice, stereotyping, scapegoating or, even, discrimination and bigotry. Leadership is urgently needed in all sectors of society to dismantle racism; but nowhere is it needed more than in religious communities. With token exceptions, Christian worship remains predominantly segregated in spite of most denominations’ generally acknowledged call to moral leader ship.

Racism in North America

Posted by Jared in Activism, Human Rights, Imprisonment, Racism on March 21, 2010

Article by Anup Shah

A report from Survival International about the plight of the Innu people in Canada also reveals how racism can be a factor. In the words of the authors, the “report reveals how racist government policies, under the guise of benevolent ‘progress’, have crippled the Innu of eastern Canada — a once self-sufficient and independent people.” (While this report is about the problems of an indigenous people in Canada, it is a common story throughout history for many peoples and cultures.)

In the US, racism is a well known issue. From racial profiling to other issues such as affirmative action, police brutality against minorities and the history of slavery and the rising resentment against immigrants.

The American Anthropological Association produced a short video providing an overview of how prevailing ideas in science, government and culture intersected throughout history to shape American concept of race today:

The Story of Race, Understanding Race, American Anthropological Association, July 13, 2009

The Story of Race, Understanding Race, American Anthropological Association, July 13, 2009

Since the horrific terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, Security concerns have understandably increased, but so too has racial profiling, discrimination etc. In the early aftermath of the attacks some Americans that were understandably outraged and horrified, even attacked some members of the Sikh community where at least one was even killed, because they resembled certain types of Muslims, with beards and turbans. Various people of Middle East or South Asian origin have faced controversial detentions or questionings by officials at American airports. This web site’s section on the war against terror has more details on these aspects.

It was a historic moment for America when they voted in their first black president, Barack Obama, given America’s history. Yet, it seems that some of his policies have met with near hysterical opposition (his attempt to push a somewhat more inclusive health system has been decried as socialist, or even communist, for example).

One can’t help but see the increasing criticism from right wing segments having a racist, almost coordinated, undertone to it. He is Christian, although his middle name is Hussein, which right wingers have used to claim he is Muslim, anti-Christ and so on, which further fuels racial and discriminatory sentiments.

Leonard Zeskind, head of the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, pointed out that the anti-Obama “opposition” contains many different political elements:

[Elements of anti-Obama opposition] include ultra-conservative Republicans of both the Pat Buchanan and free market variety; anti-tax Tea Party libertarians from the Ron Paul camp; Christian right activists intent on re-molding the country into their kind of Kingdom; birth certificate conspiracy theorists, anti-immigrant nativists of the armed Minuteman and the policy wonk variety; third party “constitutionalists”; and white nationalists of both the citizens councils and the Stormfront national socialist variety.

— Bill Berkowitz, US: White Supremacists Crash Anti-Obama Tea Party, Inter Press Service, December 22, 2009