Essay Sample on Racial Tensions in America

Introduction

My thoughts on racial tensions in America today is that it is high. Recently, there have been significant protests across the country, for instance, the Starbucks protests where two men were arrested while waiting for their friend in the restaurant; this prompted days of protests against the coffee chain. The arrest of the two black men has been just one scenario of a string of significant episodes involving minority groups who seem to have been racially profiled while doing something innocent. Further, the incident sparked a lot of debate on social media, resulting in a national conversation about racing in the modern world; this is evidence of how the racial tensions in America are high. A report from Pluralities of America revealed that race relations in the US are getting worse and that little to attention is paid to race issues. More so, thirty percent of Americans assert that race is the most significant source of division in American society. Additionally, the report indicated that four in ten African- Americans are mistreated either in a store or in a restaurant. In May 2018, three Airbnb guest from a black community in Southern California was arrested after a white neighbor alerted the police. Also, a white student from Yale University called the police when she found a black female student taking a nap in the common room of their hostel (Arenge, Perry and Olark). In February 2018, Applebee's restaurant apologized and fired three employees for racially profiling two black customers, alleging that they did not pay their check (Arenge, Perry, and Olark).

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Also, the racial tension has extended to a classroom setting; it can be nervous about broaching the subject of anti-Blackness amongst Latinx people because of one's origin, for instance, an Afro-Dominicana person stands higher chances of denial. The best solution for racial tensions in a class is to incorporate readings on women and internalized racism or anti-Blackness within other ethnic minority groups; this would ensure that students understand the suffering that emanates from racial discrimination. One can find the solution through the use of mediums like movies, songs, and articles. Films such as Hidden Figures, Sounder and The Great Debaters, can be used to start conversations that could result in a mutual understanding (Bozdech). Furthermore, these movies share a common theme of the power of education aimed at overcoming a deeply rooted racist society. One can use songs like Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday, Living for the City by Stevie Wonder and A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke (Fontenot). Typically, songs are known to have a lasting impact; hence it would be easier for the listener to associate with the song through the lyrics. Lastly, one can encourage the reading of articles from famous scholars who advocate for the civil rights of individuals; through the materials, students can understand the effects of racial discrimination as well as the importance of equality in the society. Some of the books that one can use include, The Colors of US by Karen Katz, Let's Talk about Race by Julius Lester and Karen Barbour, and A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara (Mlynek).

A for the beef between Cardi B and Azealia Banks, I support Cardi B; this is because Azealia Banks has been known for her constant attacks on black women, including Beyonce, Rihanna, and Skai Jackson. More so, her outspoken views resulted in Cardi B deleting her Instagram account a well as making her Twitter Account private, to avoid public shame and humiliation from Bank's comments plus individuals who would propel racism remarks. Moreover, Banks accused Cardi B of undermining the pop culture and called her "illiterate rat from the hood." Banks is not right in that Cardi B was doing her version of music. Besides, there is no point for beef between a Hispanic and black woman. The two groups have been known to share the same ideologies as well as being at the center of discrimination. Gloria Anzaldua would be surprised by racial tension between two women of color; the writer advocated for the civil rights of women of color such as Hispanics and black. Hence, the tension between the two groups is something that she would find it hard in understanding. Instead, the two groups should be united due to their shared past of oppression from the white supremacy.

Works Cited

Anzaldua, Gloria. "Speaking in Tongues: A letter to 3rd world women writers." 1980, pp 165-174.

Arenge, Andrew, Stephanie Perry and Dartunorro Olark. "Poll: 64 percent of Americans say racism remains a major problem." 29 May 2018. NBC New, www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-64-percent-americans-say-racism-remains-major-problem-n877536. Accessed 19 December 2018.

Bozdech, Betsy. "Black history movies that tackle racism." 2 February 2018. Common sense media, www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/black-history-movies-that-tackle-racism Accessed 19 December 2018.

Fontenot, Robert. "10 Classic Songs About Racism and Civil Rights." 13 April 2018. ThoughtCo, www.thoughtco.com/classic-songs-about-racism-2523089. Accessed 19 December 2018.

Mlynek, Alex. "27 books to help you talk to your kids about racism." 18 August 2017. Todaysparent, www.todaysparent.com/family/books/kids-books-that-talk-about-racism/. Accessed 19 December 2018.

Tierney, Paul. "Matthew Kincaid's anti-racist workshops are taking the fight to schools in the United States, empowering teachers and teaching students how to make a difference." n.d. Red Bull, www.redbull.com/int-en/overcoming-racism-american-in-school-anti-rasict-organisation. Accessed 19 December 2018.