Racism In America
From the beginning of the 1860’s, America was two-sided; the North and the South. The northern states didnt have slavery while the south did, consisiitng of only African Americans. After the Civil War and end to slavery, African American were seen as the lower class and a target of racial hate. African Americans would be seen as a “threat” to society because of the way they look or act. They are more likely to be stopped and checked by the police and even arrested/killed. This makes the lives of African Americans even tougher because they are afraid of being a victim of police brutality. But why is there so much hate for Arican Americans after more than 10 decades? Well, it has to do with the racial stereotypical advertisements in Tv commercials that target customers to buy the product. To some it may seem normal, but in reality, this has fueled hate even more which led to the “Black Lives Matter” movement in order to put a stop on racial injustice. Everyday innocent individuals are put in jail or have lost their loved ones by police officers. This is America, where racism still exists targeting innocent lives for their background.
Imagine walking down the street and people are looking at you because you look like a threat when in reality, you’re scared of being a victim of police brutality . This is racism and it still exists in America. In the early 1800s, African Americans were slaves for the white. This would be normal till the slavery act in abloishing any kind of slavery in America. This however did not free the African Americans to do whatever, they were still segregated from going to certain locations that are for “whites only”. During this time, advertisements were used in a stereotypical way in favor of selling more products to customers. African Americans feel not having equal opportunities or privilege as white people in America. Yet, after 10 decades, these racial images are still displayed in present time for African Americans in America as they are at risk of being arrested or killed.
To understand Racism, you have to know what caused it to start and how it affects the targeted people. Advertising is the most general form of public communication into selling products to the right person. When doing this, a group of people would be targeted in a way to sell the product. Author and Director, Richard J. Perry from “Race and Racism” mentions that “Nowadays, racism—the grouping of people on the basis of physical appearance for the purpose of social discrimination—is deeply rooted in many societies, particularly in Western Europe and North America.” Perry explains how Racism has to do with the appearance of your body and your culture. Editor-in-chief of Insider’s news division, Jim Edwards helps clarify this more by providing an example in “20 Ads That Changed How We Think About Race In America” how“This ad for N.K. Fairbank Co.’s Fairy soap was shameless. (Fairbanks was founded in 1875; this ad probably appeared sometime after 1897.) The black child is presented as if she’s devoid of any positive qualities whatsoever.” This ad helps back up Perry’s claim on how advertisements showed racial stereotypes to sell a product, more specifically in this ad; soap. The advertisement is trying to say that the dark skin people are dirty and need soap to clean off that “dirt”. This is very stereotypical and a form of discrimination towards African Americans in America.
In America, people of color are seen as a threat that leads to many stop and check by the police. Miah Malik, Socialist and author argues From “Two Americas — Where Racism Lives”, argues that “Blacks are only 13% of the population but 40% of the prison population (2009 Department of Justice statistics). “Stop and frisk” laws in cities like New York are overwhelmingly directed at people of color — yet few are ever charged with a crime.” Malik brings a well statistical fact that helps back up his argument on why more minorities are being put in jail. The police are using their power to take down innocent lives. Activist and journalist, Olga Segura from “Confronting Racism in America”, supports this up by stating “In March, Breonna Taylor, 26, was shot as she slept in her home by Louisville, Ky., police officers who forcibly entered her apartment to serve a search warrant in a narcotics investigation.” This action from the police is totally wrong and they should pay a price for taking an innocent black life away. This is America where racism is treated normal by racist cops and justice for innocent lives are yet to be heard.
After the 2016 election, many immigrants and minorities faced racial hate towards their religion or skin color. Meghan Green from “Racism in America : A Long History of Hate” mentions that “Non-white immigrants, black people, and Jewish people are primary targets for hate crimes. Anti-immigrant sentiments increased during Trump’s election campaign as he blamed Mexican and Muslim people for many of America’s safety concerns.” Megan also adds “The day after Donald Trump was elected president in 2016, the number of reported hate crimes rose dramatically, with 202 incidents reported on November 9.” This incident happened after the negative comments the president of the United states had to say for colored people. It shows the lack of respect from the president towards minorities as if their lives don’t matter. Every day, black men and women walk out knowing that they are seen as a threat to society which puts their lives in danger. Olga Segura in “Confronting Racism in America”, explains more by saying “Americans were almost universally outraged by the death of George Floyd, 46, on Memorial Day. A police officer in Minneapolis used his knee to pin down Mr. Floyd’s neck, ultimately suffocating him as the latter cried out, “Please, I can’t breathe.” This example is a murder which was caused by a white police officer after the victim cried he couldn’t breath. This news led to the Black Live Matter protest which was aimed to end the killing of innocent black people and justice for the killing of George Floyd.
In America, racism has been everywhere mainly targeting African Americans/low-class Minorities. From the start slavery to the end of segregation, America has divided itself where one group is seen higher than the other. White people still saw African Americans as a worker for them or below their status that has made many racist advertisements. These advertisements have impacted today’s world of racism where innocent black lives are taken away instantly by police. African Americans are seen as a “threat” to society which makes their life even harder to step outside. They are afraid of frequently being stopped and checked by police or even losing another black life. This is America and racism will continue to grow and separate people unless America becomes The United States of America.
Work Cited Page
- Jim Edwards, JE, February 11, 2013, “20 Ads That Changed How We Think About Race In America”, Business Insider,
https://www.businessinsider.com/20-ads-that-changed-how-we-think-about-race-in-america-2013-2
