Structural racism refers to a pattern in societal structure that provides different opportunities and resources to people of different races in a way that systematically disadvantages members of certain races. Structural racism is perpetuated neither through explicitly discriminatory laws nor conscious racial prejudice; instead, it is subtly self-perpetuating. Structural racism is pervasive and entrenched in American society, despite a supposed ‘color-blindness’. As structural racism is necessarily obscured and hidden, it helps to look at specific cases when considering how structural racism continues to harm minorities in the United States. For example, Hurricane Katrina has made structural racism more obvious in New Orleans. In this essay, I will examine post-hurricane New Orleans to provide insight into the phenomenon of structural racism.
After Hurricane Katrina damaged and destroyed massive amounts of New Orleans, rebuilding was critical. The widespread destruction created a sort of ‘blank slate’ that allowed local government and developers to create a ‘new’ New Orleans— one where low land value developments were demolished to make way for more profitable developments. This process of …show more content…
I empathize with people who feel that the government is inefficient and overburdened by bureaucracy. I don’t disagree with that! However, privatization is not the answer. Businesses exist to make money, and when they are granted near monopolies via government contracts, profits soar and quality declines. Providing public services is inherently unprofitable, and so entities whose sole purpose are to generate money should not be tasked with providing these services. For some people, especially those living in poverty, government programs are one of the few things they can rely on. Privatization may save taxpayers some money, but in the end, it is the impoverished who must
After Hurricane Katrina damaged and destroyed massive amounts of New Orleans, rebuilding was critical. The widespread destruction created a sort of ‘blank slate’ that allowed local government and developers to create a ‘new’ New Orleans— one where low land value developments were demolished to make way for more profitable developments. This process of …show more content…
I empathize with people who feel that the government is inefficient and overburdened by bureaucracy. I don’t disagree with that! However, privatization is not the answer. Businesses exist to make money, and when they are granted near monopolies via government contracts, profits soar and quality declines. Providing public services is inherently unprofitable, and so entities whose sole purpose are to generate money should not be tasked with providing these services. For some people, especially those living in poverty, government programs are one of the few things they can rely on. Privatization may save taxpayers some money, but in the end, it is the impoverished who must