FREE ESSAY ON RACISM

RACISM

RACISM TODAY...Everybody jumped on him, beat the hell out of him... 
Everybody was hitting him or kicking him. One guy was kicking at 
his spine. Another guy hitting on the side of the face... He 
was unconscious. He was bleeding. Everybody had blood on their 
forearms. We ran back up the hill laughing... He should have 
died... He lost so much blood he turned white. He got 
what he deserved (Ridgeway 167.) 
The skinheads who performed this random act of racial 
violence in 1990, had no reason to brutally beat their victim 
other than the fact that he was Mexican (Ridgeway 167). Racism 
is objectively defined as any practice of ethnic discrimination 
or segregation. Fortunately, racial violence is steadily 
declining as the turn of the century approaches. Now a new form 
of racism, covert racism, has recently sprung from the pressures 
of political correctness. This new form of racism, although 
slowly declining, still shows signs of strong support (Piazza 
86). Covert racism assumes a form of civil disobedience against 
politically correct thought and speech. Essentially, covert 
racism is a hidden racism, or a racism not easily detected 
(Piazza 78). Racism is still strongly prevalent in today's 
society (Gudorf 3). 
The three different basic forms of racism, open racism, 
violent racism, and covert racism all express forms of hatred 
towards distinct ethnic groups (Bender 47). These basic forms of 
racism, although different in form, all have the same main 
purpose, to promote racism. Open racism expresses freedom of 
racial thought and speech. Open racists promote their views 
through strictly persuasionary tactics. This form of racism is 
allowed in our society because of the First Amendment. Open 
racism is currently almost nonexistent and steadily declining, 
because it is considered politically incorrect and socially 
unacceptable. Violent racism promotes racism through violence, 
fear, and persuasionary tactics (Leone 49) This form of racism 
is not protected by the First Amendment because it promotes 
violence to express its ideas. Unfortunately many violent racial 
groups claim they do not promote violence, and therefore these 
groups are protected by the First Amendment because not 
enough sufficient evidence exists to prove their violent intent (Ridgeway 123). 
Covert racism expresses ideas of racism in disguised 
forms; sometimes the covert racist is not even aware of the fact 
that he is racist. Racism, it is asserted, is no longer 
blatant: people nowadays are reluctant to express openly their 
dislike of and contempt for minorities, indeed are not prepared 
to express publicly a sentiment that could be interpretted as 
racist. Racism, it is said, is subtle: it is disguised, kept out 
of sight (Enrlich 73) The suggestion that there is a new 
racism--a racism that has a new strength precisely because it 
doesn't appear to be racism--deserves serious consideration 
(Piazza 66). Avoiding minorities on the street and denial of a 
public benefit to a minority which would be awarded to a white 
are examples of covert racism. Since it is no longer 
politically correct to openly express one's racist views, people 
therefore favor disguised, indirect ways to express their 
bigotry (Piazza 68). Covert racism is the most abundant form of 
racism in our society today. 
What causes racism? Unfortunately, the answer is much 
longer and detailed than the question. The three main causes for 
racism are: racism has become part of our heritage, right-wing 
racial and political groups, and pride in one's own race. 
Practically since the dawn of man's existence man has undoubtedly 
noticed differences between races. Racism's presence throughout 
the formation of our culture is quite evident (Tucker 17). 
Frequently throughout history the ethnic group with the most 
power has assumed that its race and culture are superior to 
others. The same incident even occurred in America with 
the introduction of slaves. Throughout American history, racism 
has been strongly prevalent. Racism's roots lie deep within the 
foundation of our society (Tucker 19). These roots undoubtedly 
are the source for a great many of the racist groups and covert 
racism ideas found throughout our society. 
Extremist social and political groups, particularly those 
advocating right-wing policies of racial inequality, promote 
racism as well. These groups serve as the epitome of racial 
thought and speech (Ridgeway 10). The following represent various 
racist groups found throughout the United States: John Birch 
Society, Ku Klux Klan, Knights of the KKK, Invisible Empire, 
NAAWP, White Aryan Resistance, American Front, Nazi Skinheads, 
Posse Comitatus, Aryan Nations, The Order, and National Alliance 
(Ridgeway 15). All of these groups are given the freedom to 
express their ideas of racism because of the First Amendment 
(CIEQ 16). Although the First Amendment protects the speech of 
these groups, many none the less find it necessary to use 
violence to promote their cause. Racist groups now make 
extensive use of covert racism to extend their message of racism 
throughout our society. This form of racism has proven quite 
effective, in the past ten years, at persuading others to adopt 
racist ideas (Piazza 69). These groups serve as a symbol of 
racism itself to many in our society (Ridgeway 29). 
A large source of the racism present in our society stems 
from one's pride in his own race. Many people, especially those 
associated with racist groups, find it necessary to put down 
other ethnic groups in an attempt to strengthen their own (Bender 
113). This mode of thought and reasoning usually results in 
extreme hatred of other races and an overall sense of bigotry. 
Reasoning in this manner equates to many associated with racist 
groups. Pride in one's race may eventually lead to covert racism 
thought (Piazza 87). Covert racism affects our society in a variety of 
different manners. Indeed it should be said that covert racism 
has permanently scarred our society, both politically and 
socially (Piazza 1). Racial politics have changed since the era 
of the civil rights movement, when the issue of race, at its 
heart, came down fundamentally to whether whites were prepared to 
accept other races as their equals (Bloom 29). Now, however, the 
issue of race has become more complex^?more complex 
because there are now multiple agendas including affirmative 
action, quotas, and set-asides (Piazza 34). The main agenda 
revolves around affirmative action, steps taken by an employer, 
school, or other institution to expand oppurtunities for blacks, 
hispanic people, women or other minority groups. The clear 
implications of the most recent Supreme Court decisions on 
affirmative action programs is that such programs will be upheld 
in certain circumstances to remedy past discrimination (Bloom 
48). However, many whites view this special treatment of 
minorities for past discrimination as discrimination towards 
themselves. This reverse discrimination has lead to many 
debates and controversies concerning race and racial politics 
(Piazza 30). Unfortunately this sort of political 
environment encourages covert racism in many whites as a 
counterattack against affirmative action. Our political system 
must first become racially unbiased before our society may become 
more ethnically diverse. If all men are created equal, then why 
should differences in race matter? Unfortunately our society has 
not lived up to the standards set by its forefathers. Racism, 
especially covert racism, still affects our society socially. 
Covert racism is a form of civil disobedience for racists to