The Impact of Prejudice and Discrimination

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Past Illustration
Present illustration
Impact of Misperceptions
Comparison
Preventive plans
Topic motivation
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Discrimination is defined as the intentional distinguished treatment of people based on the latters membership or perceived membership to a certain group, or their characteristics (Buxton, 2010).

The treatment may be a denial of rights and privileges, which are otherwise granted to people of other groups or those that possess various characteristics.

Discrimination exists in various types, these include; racial and ethnic discrimination, discrimination on nationality, on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, language and employment.

This paper will dwell on racial discrimination on people of African descent, and explore various aspects that include the highlight of their past and their present state.

Past Illustration

Racial discrimination against Africans descent has a deep and dark past. This is dated back in the slavery days. Indeed, the vice is common in many cultures, in the world.

The African slave trade is the most famous; the trade culminated in the Atlantic slave trade that took place between the 16th and the 19th centuries (Schaefer, 2012).

Slaves were acquired through slave raids in African villages, and prisoners sold by chiefs. The slaves were then sold to European traders who then sold them to the Americans. It is estimated that more than 12 million slaves were shipped out of their homes in Africa (Schaefer, 2012).

Once at their destination, the slaves were subjected to work on American farms and paid nothing except the rations of food by their masters. After the abolition of the slave trade, slave trade abolitionists returned many of the freed slaves to West Africa.

Some remains and are the ancestors of the African Americans today. Even after the abolition of the trade, African Americans had to fight hard for their rights due to the immense segregation that they suffered.

Present illustration

Even today, there are immense accusations of racial discrimination in America against African Americans. Lots of debates have been elicited to the job market that has shown that there is a great difference between the white and African Americans.

According to the United States department of labor, there is a great disparity in the unemployment rates for White and black Americans. There is an average unemployment rate of 6.3% in White Americans over the age of 20 years. However, the rate is double for Americans of African descent standing at an average of 14.2%.

Many other instances have been reported of such discrimination (Buxton, 2010). In November 2nd 2009, the Washington University Newspaper covered a story on students who reported a case to the Washington Attorney General for being denied entry to a bar just because they were African American students.

Impact of Misperceptions

One of the prime effects of the slave trade was the gun slave cycle was the increased tension, and insecurity that the slave trade caused (Feagin, 2009). People demanded weaponry for defense against slave raids.

The Europeans were in charge of the weapon trade, and they demanded slaves in return for the weapons. Moreover, African societies and countries were robbed of valuable manpower. This has been blamed for the poverty in some of the countries that were affected in by the trade (Feagin, 2009).

Many slaves died on their way to the slave markets due to the deplorable conditions on the slave ships. Buxton (2010) cites immense social suffering as families were separated, and people plucked from their homes.

Racial discrimination has profound effects even in the present age. African Americans have been found to have poor mental health due to the chronic exposure to discrimination, and the resultant effects of discrimination.

A survey that was done on 334 African American women showed that those exposed to racism developed plaque in their arteries due to the stress and psychological torture (Schaefer, 2012). This causes increased risk of heart disease.

Comparison

Obviously, immense strides have been made in recent times compared to the levels of slavery of inferior races; however, there are some similarities. As illustrated, African Americans are not getting an equal economic opportunity like white Americans.

This is the same as in the days of slavery when the slaves were not paid and denied their self development. Moreover, in the slave trade era Africans were regarded as inferior and even referred to as black cattle (Buxton, 2010).

Today, there are some stereotypes that run about African Americans being violent and criminals that they cannot even get a taxi in major cities.

On the other hand, major developments have been seen. First of all, laws that stipulate for racial segregation have been scrapped off and as a result, new ones that are against discrimination have been implemented.

People have also been empowered, which has resulted to them being open minded and not racially profiling.

Nonetheless, racism remains in the minds of many and needs to be rooted out evident in the scenarios described. America is slowly moving towards the right direction as people are now getting used to diversification in society.

Preventive plans

There are a number of ways that can be used to reduce and eliminate discrimination in our society. Before doing this, it is important to know that the beliefs are intrinsic, and call for change.

As a leader, especially in a capacity of legislator, I would propose strong laws that will punish anyone who is in the habit of racial profiling. At a social level, I would empower the community through collective events involving everyone in the community.

These events are meant to strengthen the social ties and remove any prejudices. These activities would target the schools to have a discrimination free generation in the future. In addition to this, as a CEO or human resource manager, I would ensure equal opportunities for employees of all races.

I would also do away with any stereotype targeting any race. I would also examine hiring practices and ensure all candidates are given equal opportunities for recruitment.

Topic motivation

I chose this topic because the issue of racism against African Americans is senseless and deplorable. Segregation based on skin color is not only absurd; it is also unethical and deplorable.

It is archaic and downright barbaric to associate characters with a certain race claiming that they were inherited in lineage, and thus inherent with the whole race.

I passionately abhor the practical and those that propagate. It is not only abuse of human right, but also an insult to human intelligence as this is no sober judgment.

Conclusion

Racial segregation against African Americans originated with the slave trade. Significant strides have been made towards its elimination, but more needs to be done as cases of discrimination continue to erupt. It is the duty of everyone to stop this deplorable blemish in society.

References

Buxton, T. (2010). The African Slave Trade. New York: Biblio Bazaar.

Feagin, J. (2009). Racist America: Roots, Current Realities and Future Reparations Remaking America with Anti-Racist Strategies. New York: Taylor & Francis.

Schaefer, R. (2012). Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson.

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