Leila Yanni

Dean
AP Language Period 5
8 September 2016
Race in America
Race is a popular issue in todays media. One can hardly turn on the news without seeing
new controversies about racism and related violence and discrimination, and there are countless
people with countless opinions about it. An undeniable fact, however, is that racism has existed
for hundreds of years apparent in the abhorrent slavery of the 1800s through the continuing
racism that still is present today. Race is a construct of which America has tried to deny the
results for hundreds of years, allowing discrimination, oppression, and violence to occur.
However, many are hopeful for change and the eradication of racism. Through the active denial
of racism in America, the obvious inequality of racial minorities, and the surprising optimism
and reasonability of these racial minorities, we can see the relationship between race and
America.
Historically, America has denied and ignored the existence of racism, but doing so only
allows its continued harmful effects. There exists quite the double standard, where On the one
handhe pledges allegiance to the flag which guarantees liberty and justice for allbut on the
other hand he is also assured by his countrythat he has never contributed anything to
civilization (Baldwin). The he in this quote refers to the black man, who, while publicly told
he is equal, is also discreetly, and even overtly, informed that he is inferior to others. The irony of
Americans pretending that they are being fair to all while also sending the message that black
people are lesser than others isnt funny when you consider the horrible effects of this thin veil
[that] covers up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages (Douglass). Here, Douglass
calls Americans savages for committing all this discrimination while not owning up to it. And
denying racism only allows its effects to continue. Daily, people are killed, hurt, and oppressed

simply on the basis of race, yet others are unable to do anything about it, because people choose
not to see it happening right in front of them. In school, we learn that staying silent when you
witness bullying is almost as bad as doing the bullying. Racism is able to be so harmful, because
it is the violence of institutions; indifference and inaction and slow decay (Kennedy). When we
are silent and dont take action against racism and violence, we allow it to continue to happen.
Despite the denial of racism in America, it is evident to many that it exists. This evidence
comes in the shape of violence, oppression, and daily discrimination. Although many adults try
to ignore it happening, a black child, looking at the world around himis aware that there a
reason whyhis father is always on edge that there is some terrible weight on his parents
shoulders (Baldwin). This quote not only reveals just how apparent it is to oppressed parties that
they are being oppressed, even from such a young age, but it also shows daily discrimination that
minorities face. The childs father is always on edge, because he is constantly facing this kind of
racism and harm. He must always be aware so that he can keep his family, children, and himself
safe. Not only do minorities face constant discrimination, but they also face larger scale gross
injustice and cruelty (Douglass). These violent and hateful acts have occurred from hundreds of
years ago to today, and they will continue to occur until we acknowledge the problem and take
actions against it. There is such a distance between black and white people that the white people
often look at our brothers as aliens, men with whom we share a city, but not a community
(Kennedy). In this quote, Kennedy refers to black people as brothers, announcing that we are
all the same. In the same quote, he implies that we discriminate against those that are not even
really different than us.
Despite all the factors weighing against racial minorities, we see time and time again
their hope, acceptance, and optimism. Racial minorities realize that they are not equal now while
expressing their dream that they one day will be, making statements like America never was

America to me, and yet I swear this oath America will be! (Hughes). This kind of optimism is
unexpected in situations with so much prejudice, which makes it even more admirable. While
some people who are discriminated against cannot find this kind of optimism, others can lift
them up and show support. And this is not to say that people can find hope at all times; often
when violence and tragedies occur, optimism is nowhere to be found. But even through daily
discrimination and oppression, people are able to commit heroic acts like in 1996, when a black
teenager protected a white man from an angry mob who thought he supported the racist Ku Klux
Klanprobably saving his life (Teenager). Many people do not have the courage to even help
an acquaintance in this way, so the fact that a black teenager saved a white man in this way is
truly brave and says a lot about the tolerance and acceptance of the black community despite so
many challenges. Another example of tolerance is the black church members acceptance of the
Finches in To Kill a Mockingbird. In this example, One of [the men] stepped from the
crowdMister Jem, he said, were mighty glad to have you all here (Lee 136). Even within
a community of people who have faced so much discrimination, the church members still
showed basic acceptance. This gives hope that one day the denial of racism will end, and we will
be able to address and repair the fallout from discrimination.
Racism is a prevalent issue in todays society and has been for hundreds of years, but that
does not mean it has to exist forever. When society ends the denial of racism as a harmful,
oppressive construct, we can work with the already existing optimism of minorities to eliminate
racism. It will no doubt be a hard task because racism has existed for so long, but if people
acknowledge the already evident structure, we can finally move toward an end of it.