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RACISM TODAY
"...Everybody jumped on him, beat the hell out of him... Everybody was
hitting him or kicking him. One guy was kicking at his spine. Another
guy hitting on the side of the face... He was unconscious. He was
bleeding. Everybody had blood on their forearms. We ran back up the hill
laughing... He should have died... He lost so much blood he turned white.
He got what he deserved" (Ridgeway 167.)
The skinheads who performed this random act of racial violence in
1990, had no reason to brutally beat their victim other than the fact that
he was Mexican (Ridgeway 167). Racism is objectively defined as any
practice of ethnic discrimination or segregation. Fortunately, racial
violence is steadily declining as the turn of the century approaches.
Now a new form of racism, covert racism, has recently sprung from the
pressures of political correctness. This new form of racism, although
slowly declining, still shows signs of strong support (Piazza 86). Covert
racism assumes a form of civil disobedience against politically correct
thought and speech. Essentially, covert racism is a "hidden" racism, or a
racism not easily detected (Piazza 78). "Racism is still strongly
prevalent in today's society" (Gudorf 3).
The three different basic forms of racism, open racism, violent
racism, and covert racism all express forms of hatred towards distinct
ethnic groups (Bender 47). These basic forms of racism, although
different in form, all have the same main purpose, to promote racism. Open
racism expresses freedom of racial thought and speech. Open racists
promote their views through strictly persuasionary tactics. This form of
racism is allowed in our society because of the First Amendment. Open
racism is currently almost nonexistent and steadily declining, because it
is considered politically incorrect and socially unacceptable. Violent
racism promotes racism through violence, fear, and persuasionary tactics
(Leone 49) This form of racism is not protected by the First Amendment
because it promotes violence to express its ideas. Unfortunately many
violent racial groups claim they do not promote violence, and therefore
these groups are protected by the First Amendment because not enough
sufficient evidence exists to prove their violent intent (Ridgeway 123).
Covert racism expresses ideas of racism in disguised forms;
sometimes the covert racist is not even aware of the fact that he is
racist. "Racism, it is asserted, is no longer blatant: people nowadays
are reluctant to express openly their dislike of and contempt for
minorities, indeed are not prepared to express publicly a sentiment that
could be interpretted as racist. Racism, it is said, is subtle: it is
disguised, kept out of sight" (Enrlich 73) "The suggestion that there is
a new racism--a racism that has a new strength precisely because it
doesn't appear to be racism--deserves serious consideration" (Piazza 66).
Avoiding minorities on the street and denial of a public benefit to a
minority which would be awarded to a white are examples of covert racism.
"Since it is no longer politically correct to openly express one's racist
views, people therefore favor disguised, indirect ways to express their
bigotry" (Piazza 68). Covert racism is the most abundant form of racism
in our society today.
What causes racism? Unfortunately, the answer is much longer and
detailed than the question. The three main causes for racism are: racism
has become part of our heritage, right-wing racial and political groups,
and pride in one's own race. Practically since the dawn of man's existence
man has undoubtedly noticed differences between races. "Racism's presence
throughout the formation of our culture is quite evident" (Tucker 17).
Frequently throughout history the ethnic group with the most power has
assumed that its race and culture are superior to others. The same
incident even occurred in America with the introduction of slaves.
Throughout American history, racism has been strongly prevalent.
"Racism's roots lie deep within the foundation of our society" (Tucker 19).
These roots undoubtedly are the source for a great many of the racist
groups and covert racism ideas found throughout our society.
Extremist social and political groups, particularly those
advocating right-wing policies of racial inequality, promote racism as
well. These groups serve as the epitome of racial thought and speech
(Ridgeway 10). The following represent various racist groups found
throughout the United States: John Birch Society, Ku Klux Klan, Knights of
the KKK, Invisible Empire, NAAWP, White Aryan Resistance, American Front,
Nazi Skinheads, Posse Comitatus, Aryan Nations, The Order, and National
Alliance (Ridgeway 15). All of these groups are given the freedom to
express their ideas of racism because of the First Amendment (CIEQ 16).
Although the First Amendment protects the speech of these groups, many
none the less find it necessary to use violence to promote their cause.
Racist groups now make extensive use of covert racism to extend their
message of racism throughout our society. This form of racism has proven
quite effective, in the past ten years, at persuading others to adopt
racist ideas (Piazza 69). These groups serve as a symbol of racism itself
to many in our soci ety (Ridgeway 29).
A large source of the racism present in our society stems from
one's pride in his own race. Many people, especially those associated
with racist groups, find it necessary to put down other ethnic groups in
an attempt to strengthen their own (Bender 113). This mode of thought and
reasoning usually results in extreme hatred of other races and an overall
sense of bigotry. Reasoning in this manner equates to many associated
with racist groups. Pride in one's race may eventually lead to covert
racism thought (Piazza 87).
Covert racism affects our society in a variety of different
manners. "Indeed it should be said that covert racism has permanently
scarred our society, both politically and socially" (Piazza 1). Racial
politics have changed since the era of the civil rights movement, when the
issue of race, at its heart, came down fundamentally to whether whites
were prepared to accept other races as their equals (Bloom 29). "Now,
however, the issue of race has become more complex^×more complex
because there are now multiple agendas including affirmative action,
quotas, and set-asides" (Piazza 34). The main agenda revolves around
affirmative action, steps taken by an employer, school, or other
institution to expand oppurtunities for blacks, hispanic people, women or
other minority groups. "The clear implications of the most recent Supreme
Court decisions on affirmative action programs is that such programs will
be upheld in certain circumstances to remedy past discrimination" (Bloom
48). However, many whites view this special treatment of minorities for
past discrimination as discrimination towards themselves. This "reverse
discrimination" has lead to many debates and controversies concerning race
and racial politics (Piazza 30). Unfortunately this sort of political
environment encourages covert racism in many whites as a counterattack
against affirmative action. Our political system must first become
racially unbiased before our society may become more ethnically diverse.
If all men are created equal, then why should differences in race matter?
Unfortunately our society has not lived up to the standards set by its
forefathers. Racism, especially covert racism, still affects our society
socially. Covert racism is a form of civil disobedience for racists to
spread ideas of racism throughout our society (Piazza 68).
Word Count: 1,201
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