diamond
ONE love, blood, life
Expunging Hate on all Levels
David Schroeder
ENG 101 7221
Alexis ****
April 10, 2007
Expunging Hate on all Levels
The very mention of the word racism generally evokes discomfort to all but those subsisting among a radical fringe. Not only does racism still exist in our society, albeit in a much more subdued and subversive manner compared to bygone days, but also racism exists throughout the planet. Because of the cancerous effects of racism people die, people suffer and our growth as human beings is stifled. The intolerance and injustice of racism and its effects may be recognized on global, national, and local levels. Racism should be obliterated and eradicated by a worldwide effort whereby each person does his or her part to rid our culture of this poisonous malignancy that has been crippling human progression and growth for thousands of years.
Speaking globally about racism, while examining the continent of Africa, tragically it is noted that 20 million African children will have lost at least one parent to AIDS by the year 2010 (Katel). AIDS has wreaked havoc on that continent for the last two and half decades. Orphaned children, corrupt dictators, environmental factors: all of been significant factors in impacting the toll on human life. Many have suffered while languishing in poverty and disease, the United States has contributed foreign aid to that continent, although not as greatly as is needed to reverse this desperate situation. Although the U.S. donates the most foreign aid when compared to contributions from all other countries, proportionately speaking, the United States ranks last when calculating contributions as a percentage of wealth. The United States donates only .16 percent of its national income while 5 northern European countries donate .7 percent of their national income (Katel). Certainly much more could be done by the world’s wealthiest nation to help a country inhabited by people of a different skin color to help alleviate and eradicate their suffering and put to end jaded ideologies and all appearances of racism.
On a national level, the city of New Orleans was struck with Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Torrential rains, accompanied by tremendous winds, fell upon the city which wreaked havoc upon homes, churches, roadways, bridges, levies, and all manners of structures, man made and natural. The people of New Orleans, consisting mostly of African American descent, found that they were in a very perilous situation. With the state of Louisiana being unable to help the residents of New Orleans, the inhabitants of that city looked to the Washington, D.C. and the Bush administration for help. In times past, President Bush had arrived promptly to help with hurricane relief in the neighboring state of Florida. As the country watched television aghast at the terrifying situation facing indigent New Orleaneans cloistered in unsanitary and unsafe conditions in that city’s Astrodome and Convention Center, many noted that President Bush did not respond with the same degree of public urgency or empathy for the residents of New Orleans as he had for those in Florida. Throughout the country, a pervasive belief was that the racial makeup of those New Orleans citizens held as environmental hostages factored into the President’s seemingly lackadaisical response to this catastrophe. Jesse Jackson summed up his sentiments and likewise many of the sentiments of the residents of New Orleans, referring to those who suffered and died, and the lack of urgency in compassion or rescue efforts by those in the Bush administration with these words, “Race played a role of who was left behind” (Prah).
The State of Arizona has its fair share of racism. From the controversial debate of many residents not wanting to establish a legally observed state holiday honoring Martin Luther King, to reading about Neo Nazi gang activities and rallies at parks in the local news papers, to the plight of the Native Americans living on the reservations, racism is endures in Arizona. Arizona is also in the unenviable position of being the primary state for illegal aliens crossing into the United States from Mexico—a dire situation that has both resulted in the exploitation of this cross-section of humanity, and also, as perceived by some, a second-class society. Although these problems are finally receiving public attention and some attention is being paid in improving race relations in the state, there is much headway is left to be gained. Irrefutably, racist attitudes can still be found in the work environment and also in many homes.
There are people who deny racism still exists in the world. Their general point of view is that it is not incumbent upon them to be kind or considerate to people who are different from them: it is not their concern. One example of this mindset in not helping the continent of Africa can be found in the following words, “Clearly, Africa can find all the aid resources it needs in Africa itself” (Katel). They insist it is their right to choose whom to be polite or nice to, that compassion can not be legislated. Another argument from people who deny that racism exists today is that the financial aid programs designed to help people who are not of their color: that these programs are not cost effective. They compare these governmental programs to helping people in poverty, predominantly minorities, to throwing tax payers’ money away, and reversely discriminating against those of Caucasian, Anglo-Saxon ethnicity. Although some of theses beliefs may contain some validity, it does not negate the fact that racism still exists in different forms, here and abroad. What is the impact of ceasing programs that attempt to level the playing field for a society that for many is biased and unequal in its education, housing and job opportunities? Should these types of affirmative action programs be ceased altogether? Do those who believe they should entertain equally visceral reactions to what they view as other ill effective governmental programs? And if all these programs do not work, how have they individually helped people who were not of their race or worked to rid the government of all ineffective tax payer sponsored programs? Most have done not one thing, but complained.
In the end it is still easy to recognize racism, where it is, and how it still exists today. In the last two hundred years, the United States has made great strides, yet, with 6000 people dying on average each day Africa as many sit complacent in America, much more needs to be done. At home, on a national level, the citizens of New Orleans impacted by the wrath of Katrina should have been better protected and aided with a faster response time by their President and other governmental agencies. Locally, in communities, workplaces and homes what is needed is for more people be thoughtful and have empathy towards people who are different from us. For the survival of humanity, with the world becoming smaller through technological advances, and races living closer to one another more than ever, it is time for all people to become more emphatic and understanding towards their fellow human beings, and in doing this the world would a better place to live.
Works Cited
Katel, Peter. “Ending Poverty” C.Q. Researcher Volume 15, Number 31
September 9, 2005. Rio Salado College, Tempe March 25, 2007.
< http://library.cqpress.com.ezp1r.riosalado.edu/cqresearcher/search.php>
Prah, Pamela M. “Disaster Preparedness” C.Q. Researcher Vol. 15, No. 41 Nov.
18, 2005. Rio Salado College, Tempe Mar 10, 2007.
< http://library.cqpress.com.ezp1r.riosalado.edu/cqresearcher.>
David Schroeder
ENG 101 7221
Alexis ****
April 10, 2007
Expunging Hate on all Levels
The very mention of the word racism generally evokes discomfort to all but those subsisting among a radical fringe. Not only does racism still exist in our society, albeit in a much more subdued and subversive manner compared to bygone days, but also racism exists throughout the planet. Because of the cancerous effects of racism people die, people suffer and our growth as human beings is stifled. The intolerance and injustice of racism and its effects may be recognized on global, national, and local levels. Racism should be obliterated and eradicated by a worldwide effort whereby each person does his or her part to rid our culture of this poisonous malignancy that has been crippling human progression and growth for thousands of years.
Speaking globally about racism, while examining the continent of Africa, tragically it is noted that 20 million African children will have lost at least one parent to AIDS by the year 2010 (Katel). AIDS has wreaked havoc on that continent for the last two and half decades. Orphaned children, corrupt dictators, environmental factors: all of been significant factors in impacting the toll on human life. Many have suffered while languishing in poverty and disease, the United States has contributed foreign aid to that continent, although not as greatly as is needed to reverse this desperate situation. Although the U.S. donates the most foreign aid when compared to contributions from all other countries, proportionately speaking, the United States ranks last when calculating contributions as a percentage of wealth. The United States donates only .16 percent of its national income while 5 northern European countries donate .7 percent of their national income (Katel). Certainly much more could be done by the world’s wealthiest nation to help a country inhabited by people of a different skin color to help alleviate and eradicate their suffering and put to end jaded ideologies and all appearances of racism.
On a national level, the city of New Orleans was struck with Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Torrential rains, accompanied by tremendous winds, fell upon the city which wreaked havoc upon homes, churches, roadways, bridges, levies, and all manners of structures, man made and natural. The people of New Orleans, consisting mostly of African American descent, found that they were in a very perilous situation. With the state of Louisiana being unable to help the residents of New Orleans, the inhabitants of that city looked to the Washington, D.C. and the Bush administration for help. In times past, President Bush had arrived promptly to help with hurricane relief in the neighboring state of Florida. As the country watched television aghast at the terrifying situation facing indigent New Orleaneans cloistered in unsanitary and unsafe conditions in that city’s Astrodome and Convention Center, many noted that President Bush did not respond with the same degree of public urgency or empathy for the residents of New Orleans as he had for those in Florida. Throughout the country, a pervasive belief was that the racial makeup of those New Orleans citizens held as environmental hostages factored into the President’s seemingly lackadaisical response to this catastrophe. Jesse Jackson summed up his sentiments and likewise many of the sentiments of the residents of New Orleans, referring to those who suffered and died, and the lack of urgency in compassion or rescue efforts by those in the Bush administration with these words, “Race played a role of who was left behind” (Prah).
The State of Arizona has its fair share of racism. From the controversial debate of many residents not wanting to establish a legally observed state holiday honoring Martin Luther King, to reading about Neo Nazi gang activities and rallies at parks in the local news papers, to the plight of the Native Americans living on the reservations, racism is endures in Arizona. Arizona is also in the unenviable position of being the primary state for illegal aliens crossing into the United States from Mexico—a dire situation that has both resulted in the exploitation of this cross-section of humanity, and also, as perceived by some, a second-class society. Although these problems are finally receiving public attention and some attention is being paid in improving race relations in the state, there is much headway is left to be gained. Irrefutably, racist attitudes can still be found in the work environment and also in many homes.
There are people who deny racism still exists in the world. Their general point of view is that it is not incumbent upon them to be kind or considerate to people who are different from them: it is not their concern. One example of this mindset in not helping the continent of Africa can be found in the following words, “Clearly, Africa can find all the aid resources it needs in Africa itself” (Katel). They insist it is their right to choose whom to be polite or nice to, that compassion can not be legislated. Another argument from people who deny that racism exists today is that the financial aid programs designed to help people who are not of their color: that these programs are not cost effective. They compare these governmental programs to helping people in poverty, predominantly minorities, to throwing tax payers’ money away, and reversely discriminating against those of Caucasian, Anglo-Saxon ethnicity. Although some of theses beliefs may contain some validity, it does not negate the fact that racism still exists in different forms, here and abroad. What is the impact of ceasing programs that attempt to level the playing field for a society that for many is biased and unequal in its education, housing and job opportunities? Should these types of affirmative action programs be ceased altogether? Do those who believe they should entertain equally visceral reactions to what they view as other ill effective governmental programs? And if all these programs do not work, how have they individually helped people who were not of their race or worked to rid the government of all ineffective tax payer sponsored programs? Most have done not one thing, but complained.
In the end it is still easy to recognize racism, where it is, and how it still exists today. In the last two hundred years, the United States has made great strides, yet, with 6000 people dying on average each day Africa as many sit complacent in America, much more needs to be done. At home, on a national level, the citizens of New Orleans impacted by the wrath of Katrina should have been better protected and aided with a faster response time by their President and other governmental agencies. Locally, in communities, workplaces and homes what is needed is for more people be thoughtful and have empathy towards people who are different from us. For the survival of humanity, with the world becoming smaller through technological advances, and races living closer to one another more than ever, it is time for all people to become more emphatic and understanding towards their fellow human beings, and in doing this the world would a better place to live.
Works Cited
Katel, Peter. “Ending Poverty” C.Q. Researcher Volume 15, Number 31
September 9, 2005. Rio Salado College, Tempe March 25, 2007.
< http://library.cqpress.com.ezp1r.riosalado.edu/cqresearcher/search.php>
Prah, Pamela M. “Disaster Preparedness” C.Q. Researcher Vol. 15, No. 41 Nov.
18, 2005. Rio Salado College, Tempe Mar 10, 2007.
< http://library.cqpress.com.ezp1r.riosalado.edu/cqresearcher.>
. When I TAed, it seemed climbing Mount Everest would have been easier than getting students to cite and bibliograph!
), but I will do so if you're still interested in my opinion now that you've handed it in.
