Racism Today | Racial Influence

Why are people racist?

A collection of mugshots showing multiple races.

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There is clannishness everywhere in the Animal kingdom. Even among animals you would have seen how animals from other tribes are repelled by other tribes. Clannishness is a biological tendency of animal kind. In human beings, this tends to be a serious problem. Clannishness is not the domain of the sophisticated human being. Yet it still exists. We don’t know why.

Human beings are fundamentally the same. It’s just that they are presented differently to the world. A race can have a very strong influence on a person. If you are a black, you are expected to be big, strong, and athletic. If you are Nordic, you are expected to be rugged, sophisticated, and charming. If you are Asia, you are expected to be accommodating, good-natured, and hard-working.

A race does tend to carry a psychological and physiological attributes. A person in a race tends to behave the same way as others of the same race. So you can say that the behavior of a person in a race is in no way connected to the race. We can safely segregate behavior from racial characteristics.

A race is a beautiful concept. But has gone terribly wrong. A race actually brings a lot of variety to the world. Unfortunately, some races have fallen back on certain things, while others have advanced with certain things. If Africans were born in Europe, you would have seen Africans dying on parched Earth. You would have seen them enjoying themselves amongst beautiful meadows, and green plains.

The race concept might be a divine concept. But somehow we have placed hierarchies on it and classified it.

Filed Under: General, Racism Today Tagged With: Black people, race, Racism

Your Civil Rights Case

As far as we like to think we have come—as free-thinking and racially diverse as America tries to portray itself in films and other media, racial discrimination is still a very real problem. Discrimination is often the only reason a person ends up struggling with a civil rights case.

As President Barack Obama has noted, civil rights are at the core of how our nation runs. If businesses don’t abide by civil rights laws when choosing whether to hire a black applicant, a white applicant, or a Latino applicant, it may seem like an isolated incident among individuals. It’s not. It’s affecting the way the entire country runs, and your civil rights case is, too.

Because discrimination and ignorance of civil rights is so far reaching, there are people you can go to just for this kind of case in court: civil attorneys. If you think a regular lawyer will do, think again — civil attorneys know the ins and outs of civil rights, and they can help you. If someone has discriminated against you and you’re not sure how to fight back, a civil attorney will help you form a strategy and get justice.

All Americans have equal civil rights—as an American citizen, and as a human being. Your skin color and ethnic background should play no part in how qualified you are for a certain job, or whether your salary matches that of your coworkers. It sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s astounding how many businesses will play favorites, coming up with insignificant “reasons” for why they didn’t hire a black applicant instead of a white one.

Filed Under: General, Racism Today Tagged With: Barack Obama, Civil and political rights, Discrimination

Charitable Organizations Dedicated to Advancing Black People

Black family at Construction Site The legacy of African-Americans through the efforts of people like Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King has brought improvement in the lives of black Americans. To keep the legacy going, many charitable organizations have made educating and empowering black people their focus. Here are some charity organizations dedicated to advancing black people.

Institute for Black Charities (IBC)

Also known as Black Charities for Children, Families and Communities, this non-profit organization founded in 1997 provides a broad range of services to African-Americans living in poor and underdeveloped communities. Services provided include emergency relief, funding to support community programs, educational workshops and public awareness campaigns. IBC currently has six affiliate chapters in Maryland, Washington DC, Virgina, Missouri, North Carolina and Texas.

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National Black United Federation of Charities (NBUFC)

For over 17 years the focus of the NBUFC has been to generate funds for education assistance, health, economic and social development of African American communities and African countries overseas. The NBUFC is comprised of 28 non-profit organizations some of which are, the Black Women in Sisterhood for Action based in Washington D.C. and Georgia Black United Fund based in Atlanta.

United African-American Relief Foundation (UAARF)

The UAARF was founded in 2005 by Marshall T. Hall who comes from a family of wealthy black entrepreneurs from the early 1900′s. Marshall’s grandfather Robert Houston Isabell was a Pullman Porter during the 1800′s who went on to become a successful business and land owner. This legacy of black entrepreneurship is embodied in the philosophy of the UAARF through its committment to raise funding for education and promoting high school and college completion.

Filed Under: Organizations, Racism Today Tagged With: African American, Rosa Parks, United States

Our Schools are Becoming Charities in Society Today

It’s becoming common place in most states today, for schools to do fundraisers right and left to increase funding. These collected funds aren’t being used to fluff up the faculty lounge. They are being used to get basic necessities like paper, copier cartridges, and pencils. With the recent terrible recession, state funding and federal funding are down. States are scrambling to fund state education programs. As the end of a traditional school year approaches, many schools start finding their accounts are getting low. This means scrambling to find money in other accounts if possible or asking for funding from outside sources. Schools aren’t asking for money to buy ice cream cones for students every day. They need money to keep the lights on and the water running.

One of the greatest gifts America can give every generation is the opportunity for a basic education in grades K-12. Many people will say this education is free; however, this isn’t the case. Every taxpaying citizen in some form contributes to the public educational systems in our nation. In some states, the entire state tax goes to fund public education. So, the education that we provide our children isn’t free; however, it’s a wonderful blessing.

Our schools shouldn’t become charities in our society. The reality is that schools are going to continue to need money, because tax revenues are down and rainy day funds never existed or are depleted. The answers are difficult. Schools can get creative in finding ways to access outside funding. They can also be careful with the resources they have. However, there comes a point, where schools just need more money.

Filed Under: General, Racism Today Tagged With: Education, State school, United States

Advancements the Honest Way

Do we live in a society where advancement is more important then ethics or honesty? Sometimes, its hard to tell when media and celebrities are considered. We often see those that are the most physically attractive, have the most money, or are the most popular gain in advancement in our society the fastest. However, in the workplace this isn’t uusally how it usually works. There are always situations that don’t follow this. But in the work place, most advancements occur when employees are found to be hardworking, innovative, money saving, and team players. Advancments in the workplace go to those who hopefully have earned them. Is this type of advancment that young people are learning, or is it the one they see enacted on television and internet websites? Are kids going to be shocked when their latest designer jeans, don’t get them a raise at work?

Its important for kids to understand the difference between the make believe world of advancement and the real world that exists for those of us who live in it. For most people, advancement in a career, academically, or otherwise comes after lots of work, creative thinking, team playing, and time. Its not somnething that is based on looks, cell phone ring tones, or hair color. Its based on skill, knowledge, creatvity, and lots and lots of hard work. One of the largest problems comes that many young people today think they will just be handed upward mobility on a platter. Everything has been handed to them so far, so why shouldn’t everything continue to be. They often feel backhanded when they come into the real world after high school or college and realise that it doesn’t work that way.

Filed Under: General, Racism Today Tagged With: Physical attractiveness, Website, Youth

Overview of Racism

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Racism of all kinds seems to have existed in the United States from the birth of the nation. Many of the founding fathers pushed to have the practice of slavery abolished since it was quite popular at the time. They wished to make it illegal to own or trade slaves in the laws of the Constitution of the United States.

This means as early as 1776, the issue of racism and human rights were being raised. Many point fingers at Thomas Jefferson, who drew up the Declaration of Independence which states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” While these words stir the human soul, some had to wonder at Jefferson’s preaching versus his own practices since it is reported that he, himself, owned approximately 200 slaves. On the other hand though, it is also rumored that he inherited these slaves and did not want to trade them or sell them to free himself since the act of buying and selling was unpleasant to him. Whether this is true, it is unsure. We do know though that racism and slavery was an issue from the beginning and that Jefferson did feel a strong passion for the equal rights of all men.

It would be years though before “equal rights would start to be enforced. The Civil War was fought to free slaves and gives them there rights. Nearly a century later, Martin Luther King and his followers would be continuing the work of generations of African Americans and whites to make changes. Since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, there has been an awareness of minority groups and the rights of all individuals. This flame continues to burn as minority racial groups seek equal equality in all aspects of life.

Filed Under: History, Racism Today Tagged With: Civil and political rights, Martin Luther King, Thomas Jefferson

World-wide Black Heritage

Often when we consider Black heritage we limit it to the geographical location of the United States. This is not the true reality though. Black heritage encompasses world events that significantly shaped and determined the life of Africans world-wide.

It is important as well as edifying to recognize that other countries too struggled with racism and discrimination. They like the United States have made improvements to equalize rights and create fair laws over the decades. While some of these steps are just a beginning, it is hoped that this progress will mean a better world.

Below are a few international events that have affected blacks and shaped our world’s history.

WWII significantly marked change for Africans. In the desperate times of war, many started to overlook skin-color to focus on the better good of winning the war effort. President Roosevelt in the United States made an executive order which allowed African Americans to meaningfully contribute to there war effort.

In 1945, the Fifth Pan-African Congress assembled in England. This brought about the formation of independent states in Africa and the West Indies. Until this point African history was dominated by foreign rule.

In 1957, Ghana celebrated its independence. This was the initial event that got the ball rolling throughout Africa and started the end of colonial rule in Africa.

In 1962 the country of Jamaica declared its independence.

In 1994, Nelson Mendela was inaugurated into the office of President of South Africa. This officially ended the rule of whites in black Africa.

While Americans may only consider slave-trade and the Civil war when thinking of Black Heritage, there is so much more to learn about and celebrate. Many monumental events in countries such as England and Africa paved the wave for blacks’ independence. As the world strives to overcome racism and discrimination, it is essential to celebrate world-wide Black Heritage, and not just focus on American Black Heritage. This will better assist us in shaping a prejudice-free society that will no longer tolerate racism of any kind.

Filed Under: History, Racism Today Tagged With: Africa, African American, African people

Are Americans cured of Racism?

In 2008 when Baraq Obama, former senator in Illinois was elected President of the United States many applauded this monumental victory of an African American. For he is the first-ever African American President.

Considering all that has happened in the history of the United States with slavery, the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s and other national events, this historical election is greatly applauded.

One does have to wonder if racism still exists in the hearts of Americans. While it is definitely not politically-correct to make racist comments or display discrimination, is it possible that maybe Americans hearts have not entirely changed?

Now in 2011, a couple of years after the election, Obama is still identified as the first ever African American President of the United States. If race did not truly matter to Americans or if they viewed whites and blacks as equal as why is this huge deal?

It would seem that constantly pointing out Obama’s heritage and race is a sign that the national public still differs races and distinguishes heritages. It would seem that the amount of celebration and recognition focused on this one fact is an indicator that may be the country’s heart is not quite where it needs to be.

All Americans would agree both whites and African Americans that a President should be elected on the basis of skill and ability. The public votes a person in to this prestigious office because they feel that this person is the best one suited to the job.

It would be completely incorrect to vote someone in to the role of President of the United States based on skin color. If a white person were voted in on basis of skin color, it would be racism.

While President Obama campaigned on the chant of change and making Washington better, it is interesting to note that many media sources and critics emphasized his race. If racism and discrimination were truly obsolete in America, the media would not have made such a huge deal of this issue.

Filed Under: History, Racism Today Tagged With: Barack Obama, Illinois, Racism

Black Cultural Archives

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Black Cultural Archives is an initiative to preserve cultural remnants of black history. Black people have made numerous contributions in various capacities to the world. Most of these might be even during times when black people bore the brunt of blatant racism. This archive library will focus more on how the blacks made an impact to the heritage and culture of the United Kingdom.

BCA will have historical artifacts that will be an eye-opener for people. Some of these historical heritage remnants of blacks may have been hidden from racist propagandists. But now all these things are in the open for people to feel and realize the atrocities of racism, and how the spirit of humanity still created contributions from black people at those times.

A certain section of people still can’t reconcile to the fact, that a large part of the cultural backdrop of blacks was created in Britain. Most people would like to believe that black heritage and history was created in places like Africa, and so on. But this is not true. And the Black Cultural Archives will do just that. Reveal the truth. Even if it is not palatable for certain people.

The attempt is to trace the experience of people of African descent in Britain. By displaying facets of history, a bygone era of racism and hate crimes are uncovered again. What can be said as opening a can of worms that is not suitable for today’s times, the initiative will yet strive to make people understand the qualities of egalitarianism.

What started off as an attempt to create a black museum eventually carried forward into an archive gallery. The archives will show people rare and authentic manuscripts. Historical incidences, plans, and propaganda will be evident from these manuscripts. Even oral versions of historical events are recorded, along with rare photographs. All these materials run back at least 5 centuries backwards. Indeed, BCA will in itself be a landmark in black heritage.

Filed Under: History, Racism Today Tagged With: African-American history, Black people

The Importance of Black Heritage and Racial History

Black heritage in America is a long and storied history, one that has much sadness behind it. On the bright side, black Americans have come a long way in a few short generations to hold offices varying from alderman all the way to the President. The tenacity of a few have benefited many. No more Jim Crow laws, no more separate but equal, no more overt discrimination.

All it took was one tired and obstinate woman, Rosa Parks, to fire the shot that was heard around the world. Overnight the US took a good look at itself and did not like what it saw. Things began to change. Whites marched with blacks in the South, an unprecedented event. No longer did the black man or woman have to go to the back of the house to enter. They could now walk in the front door, proud. No longer did disenfranchisement hold sway, preventing blacks from being able to vote as they pleased.

There were those who tried civil discourse in the first half of the 20th Century. They should not be forgotten, even though their efforts are by and large unknown today. Early Civil Rights pioneers led the way to the civil discourse that brought about the large changes leading to equality.

Black Americans cannot afford to forget the lessons of the past. For they will be doomed to repeat it if they do. These rights were hard won in recent memory. To dismiss what Martin Luther King did for equality is to deny the entire Civil Rights movement. Draw upon the past to find strength for the future, and to solidify the hold for the next generation. Each generation finds it easier and easier to survive in America as racism fades, but they should never forget.

Filed Under: Racism Today Tagged With: Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, United States