In light of recent and ongoing global racial tensions, it has become apparent to me that a large number of people are not able to empathize with minorities because of how subtle and implicit racism can be. Without physical displays of racism, such as slavery or lynchings, many Americans believe in the specious idea that racism is no longer a problem or not a serious as it once was. While times have changed and people are generally far less racist than in the 1860s or even the 1960s, racial bias and prejudices are still a very tangible and debilitating reality for many people. I cannot help but feel as though those people who believe racism is no longer an issue just need to be gently taken by the hand and (or shaken) and shown that racism is alive and well. But before I resort more aggressive measures, this article is my attempt at the aforementioned gentle hand holding.
While it is true that we abolished slavery and Jim Crow, and people are not being lynched (as much), racism is still alive and well. It looms over its victims like a shadow casting doubt and darkness into their everyday lives. Just look at television, which is arguably the best reflection of our societal values. In study, researchers at the University of Southern California found that in the entertainment industry, only 28 percent of characters with dialogue were from non-white racial ethnic groups. When you consider that about 40 percent of the U.S. population is made up of minorities, it makes you wonder what societal values are being reflected by our entertainment industry. Perhaps the racist ones?
American ideals on race are also heavily reflected in our justice system as well. Black men in this country are over three times as likely to be arrested than white men. And, I mean just turn on a TV and witness the seemingly endless parade of black men being struck down by police for innocuous reasons. Furthermore, despite only making up 13 percent of the general population, African Americans make up 36 percent of inmate populations. Police are even three times more likely to search minorities at traffic stops. Drug arrests are equally more likely to be made if the person is African American, despite there being no difference in the likelihood of drug use among African Americans and whites. The evidence just keeps adding up that our major institutions reflect the implicit race bias in this country.
But what's more important than the obvious statistics are the voices of the oppressed. Even if we didn't have these confirming statistics, we should be open to other opinions and points of view. If a population of people is saying something is not right, we should listen instead of trying to talk over them.
