It goes without saying that as a country, the United States was founded on the principles of human rights, social equality, tolerance, freedom, and democracy. According to the Declaration of Independence, all people are created equal, and “they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (“Declaration of Independence: A Transcription” para 2). However, from a personal perspective, the history of the United States is inextricably tied with racial discrimination and inequities in all spheres of life. An early period may be characterized by slavery that was identified with race (Corbett et al. 26). In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment that officially abolished slavery was ratified and subsequently added to the Constitution (Corbett et al. 410). However, the law did not reduce the discrimination of Black people in society – on the contrary, the new era of a specific caste system that supported anti-black racism called Jim Crow has begun. Mass media, science, politics, and religion legitimized the oppression of Black citizens stating that they are intellectually, morally, and culturally inferior compared to Whites.
Jim Crow ended in the 1960s with a complex approach that included the first ruling of 1954, Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, 1964, 1968, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (Yearby 1113). However, these regulations cannot be regarded as efficient, and racial disparities may still be observed in almost all areas, including health care, the criminal justice system, employment, education, and social life in general. Moreover, the discrimination and prejudice against African Americans in all spheres are interconnected.
Disparities that exist in education and are related to class segregation on the basis of race lead to unemployment or lower wages for African Americans as materials provided for students in high- and low-track classes prepare them for different social roles. In turn, due to low income or unemployment, Blacks cannot afford appropriate housing and medical insurance. The negative impact of discrimination on homeownership leads to racial segregation in predominantly Black neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food and quality health care (Yearby 1118). As a result, poverty, the absence of career perspectives, and deep prejudice against Black people’s morality cause unproportioned rates of African Americans’ incarceration (Tyler and Brockmann 548). In addition, in-depth prejudice against Blacks contributes to discrimination as well – for instance, a considerable number of potential employees do not want to hire African Americans due to unreasonable personal enmity.
From a personal perspective, in the present day, the Black Lives Matter movement is a logical response to racial inequities that still exist regardless of society’s focus on human rights, freedom, and tolerance. Looking at the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, it is possible to conclude that they were not followed. According to Amendment 4, the police is “necessary to the security of a free State,” – and it acts against African Americans (“The Bill of Rights: A Transcription” para 8). According to Amendment 6, people and their property should be protected against unreasonable searches – and the police rush Blacks’ homes and stop them in streets for rummage (“The Bill of Rights: A Transcription” para 10). According to Amendment 10, “excessive bail shall not be required,” – and thousands of people of color are left with huge debts, especially during the pandemic (“The Bill of Rights: A Transcription” para 14). Once, the Declaration of Independence was created in response to the tyranny of Great Britain – in the present day, it reflects the struggle of Blacks against an unfair system. In other words, if the government cannot protect their rights, it should be reformed and reshaped.
In general, the majority of current events, including presidential elections and related protests, the Black Lives Matter movement, the COVID pandemic, and isolation, signalize the division of society. In other words, Americans cannot be regarded as one nation of people who support, respect, and understand each other. On the contrary, all protests, struggles, and debates we may see every day indicate the presence of deep issues related to the fact that all citizens have probably never been regarded as equal according to race, ethnicity, and civic position. I believe that the situation will not change soon, and it may take up to ten years or more to reduce disparities and reach a better understanding in society; however, these changes have already started. In general, the approach to such a fundamental issue as racial discrimination should be complex. On the one hand, the government should undertake all possible efforts to provide Blacks appropriate quality of living. On the other hand, it is the responsibility of all citizens to eradicate racism by explaining to their children that all people deserve freedom, happiness, and love.
At the same time, it is essential to keep the balance between people to avoid non-white racism or any other type of discrimination. I also believe that people learn from others – thus, I see myself in the future as a competent registered nurse, and I will work hard to receive all the necessary knowledge and skills. It goes without saying that I wish to help people to improve their health. For me, this profession brings the greatest satisfaction with results. At the same time, being a culturally competent nurse, I want to be a role model for other people who need my help. I want to show them that all people are the same regardless of skin color – they have the same bodies, diseases, and mental health issues. And all people deserve respect, understanding, and love as we all are the citizens of one country. I believe that my example will inspire others to be tolerant, and in this way, I will help to build a better future for the United States.
Works Cited
Corbett, P. Scott, et al. U.S. History. OpenStax, 2021.
“Declaration of Independence: A Transcription.” National Archives, 2020, Web.
“The Bill of Rights: A Transcription.” National Archives, 2021, Web.
Tyler, Elizabeth Tobin, and Bradley Brockmann. “Returning Home: Incarceration, Reentry, Stigma and the Perpetuation of Racial and Socioeconomic Health Inequity.” The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, vol. 45, no. 4, 2017, pp. 545-557.
Yearby, Ruqaiijah. “Racial Disparities in Health Status and Access to Healthcare: The Continuation of Inequality in the United States due to Structural Racism.” The American Journal of Economics and Sociology, vol. 77, no. 3-4, 2018, pp. 1113-1152.