Under the roof of racism, there are two ends. On one end there are cruel and distasteful things being done and said. On the other side, there seems to be an extreme which is people trying so hard not to be tribal, they overreact to the smallest statements and actions, tiny problems to be blown out of proportion. While reading Black Boy and researching articles for the project, I gained insight about both ends of this spectrum. Most of the things I learned built upon my previous knowledge. However some readings even surprised me and gave me better understanding about racism in the past and how far the world has came.
Before starting this project, I had knowledge about slavery in America from my history classes in middle school. I understood how black people weren’t treated as equals and had restricted rights. As time went on they became “separate but equal” which only increased segregation and didn’t solve any large issues. From my research, I learned about how the blacks were tortured and put to death by lynching. I never knew before how extreme the punishment for blacks was. Furthermore, from the articles I read, I discovered that music was categorized for certain races. R&B music was originally for mostly black people. This is a contrast from the current time where all different types of music is listened to by all the races of the world. From Black Boy, I became aware about how parents use to treat their kids. In the story, although it might be more violent than an average household at that time, I was very surprised to read about how often he got beaten. If the same thing happened currently, it would be all over the news and the parents might even go to jail. By reading the book, it made me appreciate the way I live now considering the worst “beating” I have received is a spank on the bottom.
The other side of racism involves being so politically correct that it creates a problem without having to be one. I read two articles that were perfect examples this situation. The first article dealt with a rule passed in Oregon that prohibited public schools from using Native American related names for their mascots. It is ridiculous for someone to be offended for using a name for a mascot and not only is it absurd but the rule is also ironic because it is causing schools that are on Native American reservations to change their mascots as well. The very people that the law is trying to help, is forcing them to give up part of their heritage. In another article, a pizza place was giving out free pizza to anyone who came in the store and said “pizza por favor”. While I find nothing wrong with this marketing ploy, some people did and stated it that it was tribal towards the Hispanic population. I really don’t see how this is tribal and I was almost saddened by how some people twisted a store’s generous offer into something about race.
essay about racism cya (there was actually more but this was the only part that applied, so yes the conclusion is missing)
