Two Causes of Racism - Essay Sample

Introduction

Today, racism is rampant, particularly in the United States where black individuals are discriminated from access to similar services because of white superiority and low self-esteem among blacks. The white people feel as if they are superior compared to blacks since they portray themselves as inferior creatures. Also, the blacks have low self-esteem where they can't prove their intelligence against whites hence resulting in racism. Brent Staples demonstrates the current adverse view of black men in the US and the way racism is trending today. He defines the frustrations he faced in his life which to low-self-esteem. However, the essay focuses on the two main causes of racism today, as portrayed by Brent Staples and Alton Fitzgerald.

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To begin, Low self-esteem among blacks results in racial discrimination since they view themselves as inferior creatures who do not deserve equal opportunity. Brent Staples, "Black Men in Public Space" faced discrimination due to his skin complexity, where he encountered mistreatment in the University in Chicago (Staples 25). When he meets a white woman, he decides to change his skin appearance to avoid being frightened due to his skin color. He would dress sophisticated to seem professional so that no one would expect him to be a mugger. Even today, blacks have low self-esteem, unlike the whites, which makes them fear to fight racial discrimination as the immense challenge that they face. In history, American viewed blacks as inferior creatures where they discriminated them because of their skin color. For instance, Staples shows how he faced discrimination being a black journalist in the white environment. According to Brent Staples, his experience centers his perspective of inequality and racism. Staples uses metaphor to describe the actual distance that links white and black people. For example, the word "gulf" the staples imply the severe impacts of prejudice.

White superiority also causes racism today. For example, Alton Fitzgerald White illustrates how racial prejudices make innocent black citizen to suffer. He narrates how injustice against black man makes them suffer when he falls under a victim because of his dermal color and racial background. He introduces his beliefs and morals that's "if he worked hard, the world would be oyster. The detailing of his "usual trip from the bank" as well as "pleasant day" of becoming a "coal house Walker in real life" draws the confusion and tension of the actions in the discriminative society. Also, White faces discrimination even in authority where he demonstrates how "the police which he was expected to serve and protect him were hunting him more" (Alton 20). Also, the White talks on how the police officer was driving in the street, and when the vehicle got them, the whites chased them away. Besides, White cries in the cell because of injustice and disappointment that the innocent black men face for no reason since they encountered the wrong accusation. The police ignorance and unjust arrest towards his civil rights drive various questions from White on the morals, principles, and ethics his parents advised him during his childhood.

Conclusion

Racial discrimination against blacks by whites has been a problem even today where blacks are denied equality in access to services. White superiority has been the most cause of racism, where blacks are seen as inferior. Also, blacks have low self-esteem, especially when living in the whites' environment when some decide to bleach to improve their appearance. For example, White and Staples illustrate how they encountered discrimination because of their skin color. Their experience draws tension and confusion for the mistreatment they get. Therefore, racial discrimination affects blacks because they don't enjoy equal rights in the school environment, health facilities, and even in employment.

Works Cited

Staples, Brent. "Black Men and Public Space." Life Studies (2012): 20-32.

Alton, White. "Right Place, Wrong Face." The World of Racism (2014): 12-22