Introduction
America is witnessing a steady increase in racial discrimination among Asians, Latinx, and Native Americans. Howard (2014) and Kendi (2020) contended that these issues trace back to historical injustice between income, race, and crime. Furthermore, racial oppression extends to the education gap between blacks and whites.
Discussion
A Class Divided depicts a reunion of people who Jane Elliot had engaged in an experiment while third graders based on eye color to teach them about discrimination. Comparing their responses while in third grade and as adults, Elliott succeeded in teaching her students about racial equality and respect for people of color. Understanding discriminatory transition is critical in providing a stable foundation upon which young adults can navigate through the current economic and political landscape.
Racial discrimination persists today, evident in institutional and socio-economic practices. In the early twentieth century, people of color were legally denied access to voting, housing, employment, and other rights because of their race (Wingfield, 2015). However, this has allowed the manifestation of color blindness; the fear to take public note of diversity, and persistent discrimination. Wingfield (2015) asserted that encouraging White people to be color conscious would result in nativism and a rally to defend white rights, but as revealed in A Class Divided, this would improve human relations (FRONTLINE PBS, 2019). Concurrently, civil rights reforms made the practices that heightened racial inequality illegal.
Conclusion
In summary, for young people of color, the experience of being exposed to racial oppression is often characterized by pervasive stressors, adversely affecting their future health and well-being. In addition to physical and psychological issues, racial inequality leads to greater vulnerability and missed opportunities, especially for people transitioning into young adulthood. The salient feature of discrimination at institutional and structural levels reveals a pattern of bias and stereotype. At the same time, young people are the leading edge of political, demographic, and economic change in today’s society. Overcoming the legacy of racism is critical in ensuring equal opportunity regardless of sexual preferences, disability, or ethnicity.
References
FRONTLINE PBS (2019). A class divided (full documentary) | FRONTLINE [Video]. YouTube.
Howard, G. (2014). America is not for black people. Deadspin.
Kendi, I. (2020). The difference between being “not racist” and antiracist [Video]. TED.
Wingfield, H. (2015). Color blindness is counterproductive. The Atlantic.