Suber

Raymone Suber
RWS 1301
Discourse Community
Professor Chowaing
9/5/2016

RACISM IN AMERICA DISCOURSE COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

Since the first day of class in Rhetorical Writing Studies 1301 we have discussed the
importance of rhetorical skills. Rhetorical skills can be applied to everyday life to give someone
a better understanding and knowledge to analyze and communicate better. When analyzing a
situation when applying rhetorical skills you tend to look at the grand scheme of things in a
bigger picture. In order to be a community, one must know how to first communicate within a
community and also know how to argue in order to get their point across. During this discourse
community I am going to discuss racism in America. I am going to provide you with the
knowledge and credibility while discussing this topic. Writing this paper is going to give me the
confidence and also give others the insight on a huge controversial topic.
When you hear the word racism most people tend to think of African American and
Hispanics. Racisms exceeds not only to white and blacks but also Hispanics, Asians, and Native
Americans. Racism in America dates back to the late 1400s when Christopher Columbus and
English settlers first came to what they considered the New World. Upon settling in the
Americas the settlers came upon a group of indigenous people that we know as Native
Americans or Indians. How could someone come to a new place take it over and cause genocide
and almost an extinction of a race. Then it seems like in American History, that the people who
indulged in these types of horrific tragedies become public figures and icons. I am almost certain

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that you cannot open a history book and find someone who was against oppression. Someone
that Americans consider a public figure, and that went against oppression and trade to make a
difference without in scrutiny.
White Americans for over 400 years always had the same outlook that if someone who
didnt look like someone of color or have the same beliefs in life; they shouldnt be allowed to
live amongst us. Then they often tried to justify why they are doing such things. Slave masters
and settlers often said they were following the works of God to justify their actions. Slaves,
obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would
obey Christ. (Peter 2:18 The New King James Version ). How could someone use the word of
the Lord to justify oppression and genocide?
The United States of America was built of racism and I tend to ask myself is this really
the land of opportunity or The American Dream. We all know that the United States of America
is one of the best nations in the world but also the most racist. If you sit back and look at
everything thats going on in the world it is mostly racism. The only thing you have to do is turn
your television channels to either your local news or CNN and you will see at least one segment
that is dealing with racism. How could someone judge me because of the color of my skin or my
religious beliefs? Its in our constitutional rights that we have freedom of speech and freedom of
religion.
America gained its independence dating back to 1776. Back in January 31 1865 it was
passed by congress to abolish slavery. It wasnt until December 6, 1865 that the 13th amendment
passed to abolish slavery was ratified. African Americans didnt get the chance to vote until after
1964. Thats nearly two hundred years after the constitution was written. Often times you hear

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people say to an African American get over slavery, you were never a slave or neither of
your parents and so on and so forth. But tell me, when have you ever heard someone say to the
Jews get over the holocaust, where they also suffered genocide. Racism is a one way street in
America and if you are of color or someone with different religious beliefs you are considered an
outsider. Racism in American has been a plague for years and it still gets ignored.
Most recently in the news you see these white police officers gunning down African
Americans and no justice is being served. Back in World War II you have African Americans
fighting for freedom in a foreign land to come back home we African Americans still get
discriminated against. These killings of blacks in the United States are being called as justified.
Recently in the news you have a white man in Florida stab two people to death, wounded
another, and while eating someone elses face off. The cop tased that individual and is still alive.
An African American in Louisiana was selling merchandise outside of a convenience store not
causing harm to anyone or threating anyone and is gunned down and killed. Police say that if you
are none compliant its justifying to killing but you take alive someone who is biting a human
beings face off versus killing a black man who was selling merchandise and didnt appear to
threaten the life of anyone. How can that be justified it doesnt make any sense at all.
Police Brutality against African Americans can be dated back to the early 1990s. One of
the most recognized brutality cases in American is the LAPD versus Rodney King. He was
pulled over in a traffic stop and beaten horribly because he was black and seemed to be a threat.
What sparks rage upon the black communities is for example Dylon Roof the man who killed
nine blacks in a church in Charleston, South Carolina. He wasnt killed after his attack resulting
in the death of nine innocent victims. Dylon Roof was taken alive and not only taken alive but

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also transported him to Burger King before taking him into custody. How can you justify that?
To me it doesnt make any sense at all to how he was taken alive.
A lot of times people seems to bring up what about the black on black violence. I
personally think if you take away someones hope you will climb to drastic measures. For
example like the gun violence in Chicago, Illinois has become an epidemic. No one has stepped
up, not even the government to condemn the outbreak in Chicago, because it is a killing of an
African American. Another example is the water crisis in Flint, Michigan what has the
government done to help the epidemic. It is a trend that everything seems to take place in a urban
environment. If that was going on in some suburban neighborhood that was mostly whites the
problem wouldve been fixed already.
Recently our political race for president has also brought tons of racism. Not only racism
on African Americans but Hispanics and Muslims. Donald Trump the Republican Party
Presidential Candidate has made several speeches which have included racist slogans. Make
America Great Again is his campaign motto, which has been under plenty of scrutiny as well as
with dealing with racism. Back when Donald Trump was President of his fathers real estate
company Trump Management Company, they were sued for not allowing African Americans to
rent property. Another incident back in the early 1990s at Donald Trumps casino in Atlantic
City, New Jersey managers would remove blacks from card game tables.
Donald Trump has never shied away from use of bigotry terms since running for
President. For him to still be in the race for President speaks volumes on our society in which
Americans condone bigotry. I feel as if Donald Trump has made a mockery of the American
people. There have been several incidences to where an African American goes to a Donald

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Trump rally and is either harassed or kicked out of the rally and he indulges in it. Our great
African-American President hasnt exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily
and openly destroying Baltimore. (Marie Claire, Donald Trump: The Man behind the Mouth)
That was a statement that Donald Trump used in referencing to the homicide of Freddie Gray
who was arrested then sudden slipped into a coma while being transported in the Baltimore
Police Department van. After the incident in Baltimore the city begins to protest about the
situation which resulted in the death of a black man in police custody.
Within my community discourse analysis I touched on a topic to which many people shy
away from. I gave a few outlooks within history and also present time to get awareness of this
situation. We are still a racist country and were built on racism, oppression, and genocide.
Everyone has dreams to where we all want to be equal and have the same opportunities of
someone not of color. America has made progress but there is still a long way to go. Change
doesnt happen overnight and it starts with people standing up for what they believe in.

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REFERENCES
(Peter 2:18 The New King James Version)
(Maire Clare, Donald Trump: The man behind the mouth.
http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/550112/donald-trump-quotes.html)