Racial Prejudice in Urban Elections

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
References

Introduction

It is very peculiar to consider racism is an ideology where humans are separated into various groups in the belief that some people are superior because they belong to a particular ethnic or national group. It could be summarized that racism is the result of having negative judgments, beliefs, and feelings towards certain identifiable groups. Thus, there is a real need of African-American leaders. However, in reality, that is a rare occurrence and the US mayor election in 2002 between Cory Booker and Sharpe James proved this with their racial prejudice that reflected during their election campaign. This occurrence of racial prejudice happened in US mayor election in 2002 between Cory Booker and Sharpe James. A relevant reaction to the documentary movie called “Street Fight” that accounted this election would also be included.

Main body

Sharpe James was the mayor of Newark, New Jersey in 2002. Cory Booker challenged him, in 2002 election. This election was highly controversial and this election was closely documented by a documentary, “Street Fight”, directed by filmmaker Marshall Curry, was screened in 2005 Tribeca Film Festival, and was nominated for Academy Award. (Curry, 2005) The controversy of Cory Booker and Sharpe James mayoral race of 2002 illustrates the actual position of political life of the African-American population. It can be assured that this crisis of leadership appears in both local and national levels. Despite the essence of freedom and opportunity that prevails in the United States, the political development of the African-American population as leadership material id quite uncertain. It has been found in the past that following mayoral position by an African-American candidate tends to result in decline in finance and infrastructure of the region. However, it should be mentioned that the African-American mayors are local heroes and are believed to be instruments of defending the interests of the African-American population. (Cave, 2006).

For a democratic society with its democratic form of government system, it is but an obvious choice to opt for a society that is mostly colorblind. The basis custom of a democratic society is to provide its mass with a structural form that offers equality in terms of justice and social characteristic. It is an unwanted fact but it is also extremely true at the same time that racism is a curse that exists among us whether we like it or not. The presence of racism is well documented in many societal domains including workplace, school, health care, and housing.

Sharpe James could be illustrated as generation of the civil right movement and he demands absolute loyalty and a psyche that tends to me more ‘black vs. white’ rather than a free individual in a free country like Cory Booker. However, both of them are prejudiced on the context of racial injustice. “Despite this, James’ generation is hostile to the idea of sharing power with Booker’s. While the most thuggish elements of hip hop are the currency of popular culture, the real gangsterization of Newark’s political life is on the part of the Sharpe campaign.” (Sekou, 2005).

The documentary “Street Fight” puts an emphasis on this issue of criminalization of politics and political campaigns. It indicates that the old school of African-American leadership should change with time. The problem with racial prejudice in urban African-American population is that there are two types of leaders. One type like Cory Booker is extremely romantic in nature and finds optimism in every aspect of political life and the other type like Sharpe James who considers them to be victimized and thus tend to retaliate. On both the occasions, the individuals are situated far from reality and thus are unable to deal with the present and practical requirements.

Under such parameters both the parties are practically incapable to hold serious and responsible positions such as administrative office of the mayor. These forms of political approaches can easily be termed as immature. No wonder that in view of Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, it can be stated, “Both Sharpe James and Cory Booker represent different sides of the same impoverished coin.” (Sekou, 2005).

One of the most compelling developments of our age is the recognition of multicultural of multiracial society and how they translate to each and every individual. The challenge is not just in recognizing other races but more importantly the culture and heritage of people must also be recognized. Are people becoming aware and accepting of others? Are people’s view and minds growing broader? Is intolerance being decreased? Are we now on the path of building a society that does not just recognizes cultural and racial diversity but celebrates it? As much as we would like to think that we are accomplishing this, current evidences show that there is still much to do.

Conclusion

It can be stated that the racially prejudiced urban political leadership of the African-American population is fundamentally directionally incorrect rather than erroneous generational approach. It is true that during recent time, it is seen that the fundamentalist conservative approach of African-American population leadership is changing but there are much space to be covered.

References

Cave, Damien; May 4, 2006; “In a Debate of Newark Mayoral Candidates, Some Agreement and a Lot of Discord“; The New York Times.

Curry, Marshall; (2005); Street Fight; Marshall Curry Productions; 2008. Web.

Sekou, Osagyefo Uhuru; 2005; “Beyond the Generation Gap: Reflections on the Crisis in Black Political Leadership”; American Documentary; 2008. Web.

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Racial Prejudice in Urban Elections

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