Racism
Racism is loudly discussed and debated within America's schools andpolitics with great fervor and disdain. Commonly referred to as a viral-like disease of the mind or heart, "Racism emerged in the 16th century as aresult of European expansionism and has persisted to the present as asocially constructed system of values to justify the evil of humanexploitation for socioeconomic advantage." (Rosado) Although it has beendebated that the roots of racism actually lie much earlier in humancivilization, it is by far and large known that it is prevalent today.Radical social groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and the violent actions theytake are commonly seen as the pinnacle of racism, but racism truly existson a much quieter and more dangerous level. The subconscious racism -- themore contagious form of prejudice that infects people's ways of thinkingwithout their conscious knowledge -- is the lifeblood of all other forms of America is considered to be a country of immigrants. "Virtually allAmericans are immigrants or descendants of immigrants," (Gale) includingNative Americans who immigrated to this land from Asia many thousands ofyears ago. "Immigrants have traditional
Sooneror later, they have become assimilated into the mainstream and evolve intocitizens. " (Ramirez) From fantastical movies such as"The Lord of the Rings," to realistic television dramas such as "NYPDBlue," to the supposedly non-fiction evening news, America is infused withthe idea of racism. "Many still want America to be amelting pot where assimilation into America's beliefs and language shouldbe the dominating ingredients. Puritan settlers came to escape religious persecution. " (Gale) Immigrants are subjected tobeing considered second-class citizens, and therefore earn lower wages andwork in harsher conditions. Racism and prejudiceare a human problem, not a problem that exists in America alone. Whether we are fighting racism, raising awarenessabout racism, accusing our politicians and police officers of racistattitudes, or even advocating racism in subtle forms, we are constantlyadvertising its essential existence in America. " (Ramirez) In response to this prejudice, manyimmigrants may develop prejudiced attitudes themselves. The proverbial "Melting Pot" of America, the idea that people of allraces and nationalities can come to this land and become a single,homogenous culture, may indeed be a large contributing factor to prejudicesand negative attitudes among immigrants. Immigrants may also have a racist view of the world from their ownupbringing in their native countries that they bring with them to America. These immigrants are exposed to politiciansand media exclaiming that immigrants are causing the downfall of America. Perhaps thelink between racism and immigration in America is one of the keys to fullyunderstanding the racist subconscious in our melting-pot land ofimmigration.
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