1.Winning a World of Equality

“With liberty and justice for all (who fit the criteria)”

What is it?
“Institutional racism” describes societal patterns that have the net effect of imposing oppressive or otherwise negative conditions against identifiable groups on the basis of race or ethnicity (Civil Liberties).

Why am I interested?

Institutionalized racism has been an issue in the world since the beginning of society. I became intrigued with this topic when I learned about racism and sexism in the workforce from my mom.
Since my mother is a lawyer and professor, she constantly has to exert her knowledge and authority in the classroom as well as the courtroom. When she would come home, she would always rant her frustrations about people not wanting her legal advice because she’s a woman or her work ethic being in question because of her ethnicity. Even though she is constantly being put down for her gender and race, she doesn’t let it get to her. In fact, the negative she faces motivates her to do better and get wiser in her field. Her resilience and perseverance inspires me every day and makes me want to do the same. Seeing these things happen to someone so close to makes me wonder how and why does this happen? Is it intentional or something we’re conditioned in to? And do we go about seeing see change?
The topic of oppression is something is swept under the rug. When the subject of race or sex comes up people tend to get uncomfortable. The history of racism has translated into the new forms of oppression today but in a more subtle way.

Beneficiaries

The main people who benefit from institutionalized oppression don’t even realize it because of the culture and belief system of the American Dream. Self-help is one of the biggest idealism when it comes to the American dream. Most believe to make it in society you should do so on your own, shutting down or influencing failures on anything minorities want to do for each other. This idealism is hypocritical however because those same people have been living off the hard work of minorities for years.

Why is it important?
It’s important for people to know how others are treated in society so that we can help alter it in a way where everyone can benefit. It’s easy for people who aren’t experiencing a form of oppression to be oblivious to the situation and feel as though there doesn’t need to be a change. However, equaling out the playing field can help people become better in their careers as long as it’s equally challenging for everyone.
Learning more about this topic can help me later on in my career because the more about institutional racism, the easier it will be for me to maneuver through it. As a doctor, it’s hard to gain respect when you’re a woman, especially one of color. By learning more about the oppression I may experience more of and getting a better understanding of how it works, I could help myself mentally prepare and build up more resilience.

The change

Although institutionalized racism has held several minorities back over centuries, there are some institutions who are giving back but not without opposition. For example, Georgetown University decided to come clean about their somewhat dark past in which they sold slaves in order to keep their doors open(Swarns). Not only did they want to tell a truth that could hurt them, they also are preparing provide reparations to anyone related the slaves they traded.

Though they are trying to give back to the people they have taken from, there are some people that think its not right for descendants to get priority admission and preferred treatment. This is the same type of “American Dream” mentality that has stopped a great amount of progress for many minorities. If there can be a change in mentality when it comes to helping one another then there could be a reverse in the oppression that minorities experience from other races as well as themselves.

Works Cited:

Swarns, Rachel L. “Georgetown University Plans Steps to Atone for Slave Past.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 01 Sept. 2016. Web. Sept.-Oct. 2016.

Nesbit, Jeff. “Institutional Racism Is Our Way of Life.” US News. U.S.News & World Report, n.d. Web. Sept.-Oct. 2016.

Head, Tom. “What Is Institutional Racism and How Is It Relevant to Us Now?” About.com News & Issues. N.p., 31 July 2015. Web. Sept.-Oct. 2016.