Racism in America

Written by Frank Li

Racial harmony has been one of the biggest challenges for mankind (History 2.0: Human Races). America is no exception (Racism and Stupidity in Modern America). Several recent events (e.g. Killing of George Floyd and COVID-19 pandemic in the United States) have revealed the ugly truth about America today: not only is racial harmony far from being a reality, but also the issue of racism must be addressed, fundamentally and holistically, which is what this article attempts to do.

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0. What is racism?

Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia – Racism.

Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to physical appearance and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another.[1][2][3][4] It may also mean prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against other people because they are of a different race or ethnicity.[2][3] Modern variants of racism are often based in social perceptions of biological differences between peoples. These views can take the form of social actions, practices or beliefs, or political systems in which different races are ranked as inherently superior or inferior to each other, based on presumed shared inheritable traits, abilities, or qualities.[2][3][5].

Based on this definition, racism has clearly been part of America since Day 1 (July 4, 1776), thanks to the continuation of slavery, at least. For more, read: Slavery in the United States.

1. Racism yesterday

Over the past 244 years, America has both “sinned” and progressed on racism. Let me elaborate on each …

1.1 America has “sinned”

Three major examples:

1. Wikipedia – Trail of Tears (see image below).
2. Wikipedia – Jim Crow laws.
3. Wikipedia – Chinese Exclusion Act.

1.2 America has progressed

Three major examples:

1. Wikipedia – Emancipation Proclamation (see image below).
2. Wikipedia – Civil Rights Act of 1964.
3. Wikipedia – Voting Rights Act of 1965.

2. Racism today

Three prominent examples:

1. Kneeling.
2. Make America White Again.
3. Black Lives Matter.

Let me elaborate on each …

2.1 Kneeling

2.2 Make America White Again

For more, read: Racism and Stupidity in Modern America.

2.3 Black Lives Matter

3. Racism tomorrow

It is all up us, now!

Below is an excerpt from The Legacy of American Racism at Home and Abroad.

If the United States is going to heal its society and remain a source of inspiration abroad, it has to publicly and openly embrace self-criticism.

Unfortunately for America, self-criticism of such a profound subject is nearly impossible. One main reason: It’s deeply rooted, as shown by the image below.

Fortunately for America, some of us will do it, or America will have no future!

4. A profound examination of racism in America

Three major perspectives:

1. The American Revolution and racism.
2. A government by/of/for the rich.
3. Governance-less.

Let me elaborate on each …

4.1 The American Revolution and racism

Overall, the indigenous people and the blacks were worse off after the American Revolution, because [white] Americans were liberated from stringent British rules, especially the Royal Proclamation of 1763, of which below is an excerpt.

The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was issued by King George III on October 7, 1763, following Great Britain’s acquisition of French territory in North America after the end of the Seven Years’ War.[1] It forbade all settlement west of a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains, which was delineated as an Indian Reserve.[2] Exclusion from the vast region of Trans-Appalachia created discontent between Britain and colonial land speculators and potential settlers. The proclamation and access to western lands was one of the first significant areas of dispute between Britain and the colonies and would become a contributing factor leading to the American Revolution.[3].

For more, read: Everything You Think You Know About America Is Wrong?

4.2 A government by/of/for the rich

America has indeed been hugely successful, especially economically. However, here is the cruel truth behind America’s prosperity: throughout American history, there has always been a huge underclass supporting America’s economy, from slaves in the old days to prisoner labor (Prisoner labor is modern slavery. I’ve been sent to solitary for speaking) and millions of undocumented migrants doing the “essential work” nowadays (‘We’re Ignored Completely.’ Amid the Pandemic, Undocumented Immigrants Are Essential But Exposed).

Bottom line: America was founded by/of/for the rich, and remains so today, without a real government that works for all: rich and poor, white and black. In other words, America is practically governance-less!

4.3 Governance-less

Here is another reason for America’s governance-less: There is no governing, but only constant campaigning!

What, then, is the difference between campaigning and governing?

The image below answers the question!

The indigenous people may no longer have a strong voice, because they have been almost wiped out. But the blacks do, as they count for about 15% of the population! They must be treated fairly according to their standards, or the country is not governable!

Three informative readings:

1. America: Justice in Unjust Land?
2. America: Peace in Violent Land?
3. Governance in America.

For more, watch the video at the end of this post.

5. Discussion

Once again, racial harmony has been one of the biggest challenges for mankind (History 2.0: Human Races), with religion being another (God and America).

America has never really fundamentally addressed any of these big challenges. Instead, America has avoided them via “virtual” segregation! Two examples:

1. Churches are the most racially segregated organizations in America.
2. “Zip code is everything”, from education to lifespan. For more, read: Zip Code Effect: Your Neighborhood Determines Your Lifespan by as Much as 30 Years.

As America becomes more crowded and as the world becomes more globalized, these challenges are no longer avoidable. As a result, America is proving not only “normal” (vs. “exceptional”), but also totally inadequate in dealing with them!

In good times, racial problems become less obvious. For example, after WWII, America experienced unprecedented prosperity in human history, with remarkable advancement in racial equality (e.g. Civil Rights Act of 1964).

In bad times, racial problems become worse. Four historical examples:

1. Tulsa Race Massacre.
2. Mexican Repatriation.
3. Internment of Japanese Americans.
4. China Bashing: A U.S. Political Tradition.

What about some of the recent examples of police brutality?

It’s time for America to seriously address racism at home, or America will absolutely have no future! For more, read: Built to Last: Structure & Conscience.

Furthermore, three new challenges on the horizon:

1. China, a “yellow” country, is well on her way to unseating America as the largest economy by 2030. For more, read: The U.S. vs. China: A Great Experiment vs. A Great Civilization!
2. The Hispanics will become the majority in America in a few decades. What will that mean to the white minority?
3. History is being re-written. For more, read: History 2.0 (Version 2).

Here is a recent news story: In Germany, Confronting Shameful Legacy Is Essential Part of Police Training.

America should do the same, not only for “police training”, but also for addressing “systemic racism” throughout American history, so far!

With that, we can possibly talk about a real solution …

6. Political reforms as the first step!

America, reform our failing political system, as I have suggested (American Democracy – Why is it failing & how to fix it?), or become a fiddle, second to China!

7. Closing

Racism in America is a huge subject. I have chipped in my two cents. What about you?

Now, please sit back and watch the long video below.

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