Critical Reflection on Racism

Since the 17th century when Europeans colonized the United States, racism has been a thorny issue. People of African descent bore the greatest scars of racism. In this write my discussion board post the regard, racism was directed towards Americans of African descent through discriminatory laws, social practices and political processes. Racism led to the rise of individuals and civil rights movements to condemn this practice. Therefore, racism towards people of African descent is a major issue. Racism towards people of African descent began in the 17th century when Africans were taken to the United States as slaves. Africans in America were discriminated in several ways. For instance, there were discriminatory laws that limited Africans from voting or owning property. Besides, the dominant whites’ majority considered dark skinned people of African descent inferior. Moreover, in a study by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Americans of African descent had the highest probability of going to jail compared to other races. Recently, President Trump has threatened to wind down DACA program arguing many immigrants specifically African-Americans are taking advantage. In this regard, racism against Africans in America is evident in the DACA program because chances of DACA applicants from predominantly black countries are less likely to be approved than applicants from other countries. Thus, despite efforts to condemn racism against black Americans, the practice is still evident in some quotas.

Furthermore, several individuals rose up to fight this practice. For instance, during the civil rights movements, the late Martin Luther King placed hope on his people that one day the dark clouds of racial prejudice would come to pass and the radiant stars of love and brotherhood would make the great nation of United States to shine. During his time, Martin Luther condemned racism almost in every speech he made. Besides, Malcolm X called for unity in the fight against racism. He said racism could not be fought with racism but rather through solidarity. In this regard, he called upon black Americans to unite and fight for their rights. In a letter recently discovered he wrote in 1964, Malcolm X reported the vice of racism was comparable to incurable cancer that was plaguing America. Additionally, former president Barrack Obama said he was a victim of racism. He said racism in America was deeply rooted and the days of Jim Crow and slavery against black Americans had not gone away.

Moreover, various organizations have raised their concerns over the issue of racism. For instance, the Washington, DC, Fair Employment Practices Commission reported racism against Black Americans remains and is manifested in more subtle ways today during job interviews. The American Sociological Association did their study on this claim and found that recruitments in most whites’ organizations are done in white schools instead of through job training programs. Besides, it was found whites employees usually get higher salaries and job status in the most organization owned by whites in comparison to the blacks. In 1945, UNESCO was established and a committee of experts to address the issue of racism against minority was formed in 1950. The committee declared there was no scientific basis or justification for racial bias. Since then, UNESCO has been one of the most vibrant organizations in fighting racism against minority groups such as people of African descent. Lastly, IMADR reacted to racism in several ways. For instance, IMADR recommended punishment of perpetrators of racism like any other criminal activity. In this regard, IMADR recommends protection of minority groups in America and other parts of the world.

In conclusion, racism is a major issue in the United States. The genesis of racism against black Americans is rooted from the time Africans were kidnapped from their native countries and were taken to North America to serve as slaves. Following the outcry that followed due to this practice, several individuals and organizations rose up in its condemnation. Some of the anti-racism activists were the late Martin Luther King jr., the late Malcolm X, and the former president of America Barrack Obama. Besides, organizations such as the Fair Employment Practices Commission, American Sociological Association, UNESCO, and IMADR have raised their concern over the issue on racism. Therefore, racism is unacceptable and should be condemned with the strongest terms possible.