Racism in the American Society

Racism in the American Society
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Racism in the American Society
Introduction
Racism is a serious social issue that has plagued American society throughout its history. America is susceptible to racism because of its unique historical foundation in which people from different socio-cultural backgrounds unite to form a nation. As time changes, America has gone through socio-political and economic changes that have partly enhanced racism in that society. While efforts have been put to address the ills that stem from racism, it is remarkable that much more input is needed if sustainable solutions are to be reached. Partly, the solution could be based on understanding racism by defining it appropriately, exploring its causes and reasons, and developing lasting solutions. This paper focuses on exploring all the above key tenets of racism in America. It is worth noting that by acknowledging the historical context, understanding the causes, and implementing targeted solutions, America can move towards a future where equality and justice prevail over discrimination and prejudice.
Background
The term “race” has seen a significant evolution bearing the perceptions that it attracted through different historical eras. Before the 1500s, the term was used to identify people or groups of people based on their kinship or connections to cultural norms (Weinstein et al., 2017). The present-day use of the term is an invention coined by humans and majorly anchored on contextual interpretations. Humans coined the term "race" as a handy way to categorize people into social groups based on characteristics such as skin color, physical qualities, and genetic inheritance (Gordon-Reed, 2020). Race is significant as a social construct that bestows or withholds advantages and privileges, even though it is not based on genuine biological distinctions (Denton & Tolnay, 2002). The concept of race emerged early in the creation of American society, acting as a justification for the burgeoning capitalist economic system, which was especially reliant on practices such as forced labor, especially the captivity