Dogmatism Essay

The United States has gradually become a more accepting home for people that have come from different backgrounds such as nationality, gender, socioeconomic status, and more as the decades progress. Although numerous issues have increased as a result of people gaining equal opportunities, legislations and laws have passed to combat discrimination from occurring. Nonetheless, bigotry continues to persist in today’s society and everyone is still not truly equal yet. One of the most prevalent forms of prejudice in America is racism. Moreover, dogmatism has been mainly prominent against African Americans throughout the course of American history and is prevalent in an abundance of people’s experiences in their daily lives such as presented in …show more content…
When it comes to social problems in the United States, there are Americans that hold negative stereotypes about African Americans in spite of them not being true. People who are not black hold preconceived notions on their beliefs of what a “typical African American” acts or is as a person. This concept is shown in Brent Staples’ essay Black Men and Public Space, in which he illustrates some of the common struggles that African Americans, especially those who are males, experience. Staples explains how “there were the standard unpleasantries with policemen, doormen, bouncers, cab drivers, and others whose business it is to screen out troublesome individuals before there is any nastiness” (142). Since he is a black man, authorities already have a biased and distorted idea that he might be a criminal even if it is the not the case. Furthermore, Staples writes about how he attempts to take precautions in order for authoritative figures to not mistaken him to be a lawbreaker such as wearing business clothes instead of casual wear to appear more professional, letting others clear the lobby of a building before returning to show that he is not following them, and whistling classical melodies from Beethoven or Vivaldi to look as if he comes from a wealthier status. Staples has to take all of these measures for people in his surroundings to not perceive as someone in which he is …show more content…
Incarceration rates rates among African Americans are higher compared to that of other groups. America has over 1.6 million prisoners dwelling in jail cells and the majority of these residents are African American. Fifty percent of prisoners are African Americans and they are six times more likely to be convicted for the same crimes committed by white Americans who are given less time in prisons. It is more likely for an African American with no degree to go to prison than to become employed. Furthermore, although African Americans represent thirteen percent of all drug users in the country, they make up about 38 percent of people with drug offenses. When it comes to racial profiling, African Americans tend to get stopped and searched more often than other groups of people. For example, on a highway in Maryland, seventeen percent of drivers were African Americans, but they made up 77 percent of the number of people searched. Racially profiling is patently illegal based on the U.S. Constitution in which promises equal protection under the law to all and freedom from unreasonable searches (Contemporary Issues Facing the International Criminal Court). The negative stereotypes of African Americans are presented in many police officers and law officials that African Americans become targeted by them more frequently. The police institution is severely flawed and new reforms must