This chapter highlights the true challenges that African Americans have faced for centuries, and quite frankly they are still encountering the harsh realities that keeps us improvised, powerless, and neglected. White conservatism has dominated the nation for years and African Americans have struggled severely at the hands of European colonizers who invaded their land, enslaved and exploited them, and forced them to embrace the dominant white conservative values, norms and beliefs. Furthermore, this nation was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of African Americans; however, there has been very little to show for it. Our legacy has been the rudiments of slavery while White conservatives transfer their wealth and stability from one generation
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So although African Americans contributed to the development of this nation, Westernized systems have denied their contributions, and as a result, our institutions have been designed to only benefit the white elite and the minorities who have bought into the ideal of White supremacy. Racism, the unequal distribution of wealth, monopolized societies, capitalism, greed, self-gain, and inequality are just few expressions that continue to keep African Americans in bondage. We remain in the vicious cycle of being the class of people that have never had their fair share of the pie, and white conservatives have been very strategic with how they have maintained their status. Racism is engrained in our systems and African Americans have bought into this poor quality of life, but the book offers a plan to combat oppression and the cycle of hopelessness. This chapter was very informative and offers several different perspectives from addressing inappropriate behavior among African Americans and developing a plan for empowering Black people.
Key Terms
Institutionalized racism – Is a form of racism expressed in the practice of social and political institutions as distinct from racism by individuals or informal social groups. This racism manipulates symbols, resources and power to advantage Whites over African Americans.
Structural racism – Refers to a form of racism that occurs specifically within institutions such as public bodies, corporations, and
So although African Americans contributed to the development of this nation, Westernized systems have denied their contributions, and as a result, our institutions have been designed to only benefit the white elite and the minorities who have bought into the ideal of White supremacy. Racism, the unequal distribution of wealth, monopolized societies, capitalism, greed, self-gain, and inequality are just few expressions that continue to keep African Americans in bondage. We remain in the vicious cycle of being the class of people that have never had their fair share of the pie, and white conservatives have been very strategic with how they have maintained their status. Racism is engrained in our systems and African Americans have bought into this poor quality of life, but the book offers a plan to combat oppression and the cycle of hopelessness. This chapter was very informative and offers several different perspectives from addressing inappropriate behavior among African Americans and developing a plan for empowering Black people.
Key Terms
Institutionalized racism – Is a form of racism expressed in the practice of social and political institutions as distinct from racism by individuals or informal social groups. This racism manipulates symbols, resources and power to advantage Whites over African Americans.
Structural racism – Refers to a form of racism that occurs specifically within institutions such as public bodies, corporations, and