Although we live in a nation that has made significant progress in terms of race relations, many African American citizens continue to experience interpersonal racism as a ubiquitous part of their everyday lives. While public spaces are no longer segregated by law, several public accommodations (such as restaurants and shopping centers) discriminate against African American customers. Common practices include the refusal of service, harassment in stores, giving priority to white customers, and using racial slurs. A minister from Feagin and Sikes’ book shared his experience of being denied service at a restaurant, and was told that he had “no goddamn business” telling them who they could and could not serve (Feagin and Sikes 39). Furthermore,
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While on the job, a black media surveyor was threatened by a white resident and got one of his headlights bashed (Feagin and Sikes 57). Furthermore, many black students experience racial slurs and micro aggressions on college campuses, despite the belief that they would not be as prevalent in an educated environment (61). Multiple respondents claimed to have been harassed by white police officers, such as being pulled over without reason (67). On a larger scale, studies have shown that blacks or Latinos are the victims in 97 percent of police brutality incidents, while 93 percent of the officers are white …show more content…
Common methods include: verbal confrontation, avoidance, educating others on racism, putting on a psychological shield, overachieving, getting support from family and friends, and seeking attention through media or other official channels. When being discriminated against, some respondents report confronting the individual, and educating them as to why what they had said was racist (Feagin and Sikes 284). Other respondents cope by avoiding situations where discrimination could occur, even if there is some personal cost (275). Additionally, a college graduate stated that he had to prove himself by doing better than average just to be considered normal (296). Although the majority of these coping strategies are effective in everyday life, a few respondents have taken more time and effort to combat racism through official channels, such as filing lawsuits (292) or writing letters to city papers (44) regarding their
While on the job, a black media surveyor was threatened by a white resident and got one of his headlights bashed (Feagin and Sikes 57). Furthermore, many black students experience racial slurs and micro aggressions on college campuses, despite the belief that they would not be as prevalent in an educated environment (61). Multiple respondents claimed to have been harassed by white police officers, such as being pulled over without reason (67). On a larger scale, studies have shown that blacks or Latinos are the victims in 97 percent of police brutality incidents, while 93 percent of the officers are white …show more content…
Common methods include: verbal confrontation, avoidance, educating others on racism, putting on a psychological shield, overachieving, getting support from family and friends, and seeking attention through media or other official channels. When being discriminated against, some respondents report confronting the individual, and educating them as to why what they had said was racist (Feagin and Sikes 284). Other respondents cope by avoiding situations where discrimination could occur, even if there is some personal cost (275). Additionally, a college graduate stated that he had to prove himself by doing better than average just to be considered normal (296). Although the majority of these coping strategies are effective in everyday life, a few respondents have taken more time and effort to combat racism through official channels, such as filing lawsuits (292) or writing letters to city papers (44) regarding their