Racial discrimination has been carried out by various peoples in the world throughout human history. Yet, the Black community or African Americans have been the target of extreme racism for centuries. No other community can be referenced that has suffered as much as African Americans had to. Their black color has proved to be their greatest mistake by birth, for which they have been continuously mistreated until now (Horowitz, Brown, & Cox, 2019).
Learning, knowledge, awareness, scientific reasoning – everything seems to fail in persuading people to eliminate the discrimination that exists towards the black community. Discrimination towards black people is not limited in North America only, as people all over the world demonstrate a vividly degrading attitude towards them (Horowitz, Brown, & Cox, 2019). However, the intensity and extent of this discrimination is much more prevalent in the US than in any other country (Horowitz, Brown, & Cox, 2019). Despite making amendments in the laws regulating society, people do not show a sign of improvement in their understanding of the black people’s dilemma (Horowitz, Brown, & Cox, 2019). Unfavorable conditions for black students in schools, the sexual objectification of black women, and suspicious attitude towards black men are the most prominent issues in society that need to be addressed without any delay.
Children in schools experience unbearable attitudes that make them question their social status, eventually causing them to acquire a mental disorder or a tendency towards crime (Arrested for Being Black, 2019). Children of the black community face several problems related to others’ attitudes and behaviors in schools (James, 2019). They have a curriculum that has not been prepared by keeping in view their specific needs, and for this, Professor Carl James has suggested for all current learning materials to be reevaluated for their relevance in modern-day times (2019). For example, the well recognized 1960 American novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird” mentions the inappropriate “n-word” quite often throughout the book; yet this novel remains widely used in classrooms with a younger audience (James, 2019).
The treatment of history that is relevant to the black community has not been made to ensure uplifting of their morale and presentation of historical facts in a definite manner (James, 2019). Most often, black children have to bear degrading remarks that make them irritated and unmotivated (James, 2019). For instance, the “n-word” has become a term that\’s being said more regularly and freely by both teachers and peers of other ethnical backgrounds, without any regard whatsoever (James, 2019). Discrimination towards black children continues up to higher educational levels as well (James, 2019). A common practice in higher education can be noticed that students apart of the black community are often more vulnerable to being suspected of crime incidents (Arrested for Being Black, 2019).
Black women have been reported to have experiences of sexual objectification more than women of any other ethnicity (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012). They have a long history of harsh treatment by different groups of people (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012). During the earlier days of American history, black women were traded like commodities that people used to buy for fulfilling their sexual purposes and were not given any rights of liberty or dignity (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012). Men who used to approach black women in the slave era did not give them any kind of respect or social benefit in return (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012).
It was a degrading demonstration of human nature where people held double standards while dealing with black women (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012). Men developed physical relationships with them for want of children from them but were unwilling to give them the status of a housewife (Baldwin, 1965). White men were interested to interact intimately with black women because they were thought to bear more children than other women (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012). Moreover, the most significant factor determining the want for black women was their physical appeal (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012).
They were naturally blessed with superior feminine features that made them attractive in the eyes of the opposite sex individuals (Baldwin, 1965). It was due to their bodily attributes that created several problems for black females (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012). They became the victim of mean remarks by men who had no ethical principles to guide their behavior (Baldwin, 1965). This is demonstrated in a short story written by James Baldwin, where a deputy sheriff named Jesse experiences fantasizing thoughts of black women and their ability to perform in the bedroom, yet continues to degrade them by referring to them as “stinking coons” who live like animals and smell dirty (1965).
All these behaviors and practices are still prevalent in one form or another in North America (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012). Today also, black women mostly hold the status of an object by providing physical pleasures and only those who get married find a peaceful place in society (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012). However, those who do not find a suitable person to marry often become victims of sexual objectification (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012). Men seek, use, and betray them because they are perceived to have lower morale and social status as compared to other women in society (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012). They are confronted with the same issue of personal, physical safety in present times as they used to face during the early days of America characterized by the enslavement of African Americans (Watson, Robinson, Dispenza, & Nazari, 2012).
It is common for society to think that black people are more involved in crimes (Arrested for Being Black, 2019). It has been noticed practically that African Americans are held more susceptible in case of any emergency or occurrence of a crime (Arrested for Being Black, 2019). Even some authorities carry out this discrimination in the process of investigation (Arrested for Being Black, 2019). Though it is true that black people have been found involved in crimes several times, the frequency of involvement in crimes of other ethnic people is also high (Arrested for Being Black, 2019).
Hence, it cannot be deducted that individuals belonging to the black community have an increased tendency to commit crimes. This stereotype has been attributed to their physical attributes, as black people usually have muscular bodies due to their particular lifestyles (Arrested for Being Black, 2019). They are stronger than other people due to specific genetic, sociocultural, and historical factors that had made them the way they look like now. Furthermore, black people are used to living in backward colonies where they have a limited number of facilities (Arrested for Being Black, 2019). Their housing arrangements are usually not the same as other communities display (Arrested for Being Black, 2019).
In several residential complexes across the states, the kitchens are not ventilated, the streets do not show signs of elegance, and systems of water management are occupied with complaints every now and then (Arrested for Being Black, 2019). These elements lead to increased vulnerabilities of black people, especially their children, for diseases (Arrested for Being Black, 2019). The problem does not end here, as the healthcare facilities available to these people living in such areas are also minimal and insufficient (Arrested for Being Black, 2019). The circumstances in which they live in current times have not been created overnight. They have been pushed for centuries to live inferior lives that could only assure them of limited resources for survival (Arrested for Being Black, 2019).
The problem with the African American community is multi-faceted and deep-rooted in society. Extensive government interventions are needed to improve the situation. Legislation made in this regard does not fulfill the requirements to have a visible rectifying effect on people; it should be more comprehensive and focal in its impact of helping this community. The role of social organizations and media is inevitable because they can directly discourage negative stereotypes associated with the black community. The best solution is probably to incorporate particular educational materials into the existing curricula of schools (James, 2019). Those materials should aim to build a positive attitude and approving behavior in all students toward the black community (James, 2019).