Kevin Powell describes African American stories, experiences and well-known characters in order to cast light on the long standing racism within America and to develop answers for this major social issue. The essay presents a history of America, its relationship with present and past African American lives, and three major opportunities the nation faced to confront and end systemic racism. Powell deeply dives into an analysis of the reality behind the racism within America to promote awareness and instigate proactive dialog surrounding the topic; specifically amongst the White American community, in hopes to finally end the silenced oppression bred by their ancestors.
Powell begins by addressing the label “n-----” amongst the black community …show more content…
The first opportunity identified was when American colonies were fighting England for independence, the second was the Civil war and the result known as America’s Reconstruction, and lastly The Civil Rights Movement (Powell). These significant aspects of American history are expanded on to exhibit the possibility for egalitarian progress and to recognise the failure of long term social change founded within each milestone. A mission is developed through Powell’s work in order to fulfill the equality and change American history fell short of, driving an argument to challenge present systems of oppression, as remaining inactive is a passive acceptance of the inequality that should have been ended through the various opportunities embedded in American history. Modern societies responsibility for equality is emphasized by the doors American history chose to keep shut, reinforcing “Silence is unacceptable in the face of injustice, and being neutral is being a coward and an accomplice to the evil sides of our history” …show more content…
This cancer breeds through social misconceptions and constraints while being personified through the debilitating stereotypes and stigmas that lace every black community. The actions and expressions of African-American individuals are immediately related to their race, rather than independent character, cultivating an obstacle of identity for every person of colour while caucasians reinforce or bypass this systemic racial barrier. Caucasians are responsible for actively using their racial privilege for the promotion of equality, instead of the hindrance of neglect and disinvolvement, ceasing social change. If racism is as a form of cancer, the only chemotherapy or radiation available is held and controlled by the white majority, who have an obligation to put on scrubs and fix this lethal social malignancy. Powell describes this active responsibility as inhibiting any type of control over the African-American community, listening and addressing the voices of black lives and participating in a real conversation on American racism, using raw and valid dialog
Powell begins by addressing the label “n-----” amongst the black community …show more content…
The first opportunity identified was when American colonies were fighting England for independence, the second was the Civil war and the result known as America’s Reconstruction, and lastly The Civil Rights Movement (Powell). These significant aspects of American history are expanded on to exhibit the possibility for egalitarian progress and to recognise the failure of long term social change founded within each milestone. A mission is developed through Powell’s work in order to fulfill the equality and change American history fell short of, driving an argument to challenge present systems of oppression, as remaining inactive is a passive acceptance of the inequality that should have been ended through the various opportunities embedded in American history. Modern societies responsibility for equality is emphasized by the doors American history chose to keep shut, reinforcing “Silence is unacceptable in the face of injustice, and being neutral is being a coward and an accomplice to the evil sides of our history” …show more content…
This cancer breeds through social misconceptions and constraints while being personified through the debilitating stereotypes and stigmas that lace every black community. The actions and expressions of African-American individuals are immediately related to their race, rather than independent character, cultivating an obstacle of identity for every person of colour while caucasians reinforce or bypass this systemic racial barrier. Caucasians are responsible for actively using their racial privilege for the promotion of equality, instead of the hindrance of neglect and disinvolvement, ceasing social change. If racism is as a form of cancer, the only chemotherapy or radiation available is held and controlled by the white majority, who have an obligation to put on scrubs and fix this lethal social malignancy. Powell describes this active responsibility as inhibiting any type of control over the African-American community, listening and addressing the voices of black lives and participating in a real conversation on American racism, using raw and valid dialog