In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, racism is defined as "the belief that some races by nature are superior to others." Discrimination is based upon this belief. Corneal West quoted W.E.B DuBois's prescient pronouncement in his book Race Matters, as writing "The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line." Racism is the dividing factor of cultural unity. It is a disease that has plagued the deliverance of the integration of African culture with American culture. Racism is the key conjecture of the plight of unity. We are now in the twenty- first century, and the same racial speculations effect us as "American citizens" as it did Black people in DuBois's era.
             In today's society your "privileged status" doesn't protect you from racism. They will let you know that you're still a "nigga." We've seen the protection that "privileged status" offers through the examples of O.J. Simpson, Sean Combs, Tupac Shakur, Bill Cosby, etc. The hands of racism only let you get so far before they put you back in your place. The only reason why some black people achieve this "privileged status" comes down simply to their economic status. They have money. American culture only respects money; That is why the majority of black athletics and entertainers are highly regarded in our society. It seems as if they are respected as people when in all actuality America only respects their cake (money). In America, a man's value is based upon a man's worth. Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a misery you prefer.
             I remember this incident vividly when I was back home in North Carolina. Three of my friends and I had acquired a room for New Year's Eve at the prestigious Radisson-Charleston downtown Fayetteville. At $350.00 a night this was a five-star hotel, so of course, a lot of the occupants in the hotel felt that we were out of our element. Anyway, my three friends and I invited some girls to our room for a small New...