This can yield to racism and sexism, which Marxists claims are by-products of the struggle between classes in a capitalist society (Franks, 30). Not only are racism and sexism degrading people, it actually benefits capitalists because capitalists used racism as a powerful tool in dividing the working class (Franks, 30). This dilemma propels into the split labor market theory, which was developed by Edna Bonacich. She states that capitalism created a labor market split between European Americans and non-European Americans, or in other words, whites and people of color. European Americans have a higher status and better paying jobs, in comparison to people of color who have a lower status and lower jobs. The many African Americans who suffered from inequality because of white prejudice is an example of this split. Africans were always brutalized when they were slaves, however, after becoming a free slave, they were able to create educational and religious institutions (Jones, 224). Many states began to abolish slavery, such as New York, although slaves still had to serve for 28 years before they can become free. However, abolishing slavery does not, in any way, signify equality. African Americans were still mistreated even after being a free slave, for instance, discriminatory laws prevented them to vote and prevented African American children from attending school (Jones, 224). Africans still …show more content…
However, American Indians were distinguished as being more uncivilized and their culture also being inferior to white culture (Jones, 230). Because of this, white military and government officials began to infuse their own culture by forcibly changing the American Indians’ culture. Additionally, missionaries encouraged Indian women to spin thread and weave cloth, thereby establishing a division of labor and employing sexism. Before their culture was modified, American Indian women had a prominent role in their community, however, European Americans believed only men should be in a position where authority is required (Jones, 235). As a result, women felt as if they had to be inferior to the males, which enhances the prejudice of gender roles. Another characteristic that sets American Indians apart from African Americans is that they were often hunted down. Both American Indians were slaves, however, American Indians were often portrayed as an enemy, rather than property, and they were slaughtered in the guise of helping out mankind (Jones, 139). The bigotry the American Indians have faced describes institutional racism, which is when American politics and the economy breed racism into the society (Franks,