More than Just Statistics (#BLM)

The recent protests in America regarding the unjust death George Floyd faced have rekindled conversations regarding racism and discrimination in America. Police brutality is not a new topic, neither is systematic racism. Systematic racism is a form of racism that has been deeply ingrained within our society for several years and still continues to exist. It is exhibited through policies and practices in institutions such as banks, schools, employment in companies, and law enforcement. It blocks access to opportunities for people of colour.

Source: Oakville News

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 abolished legal forms of racism in America, but not necessarily racism itself. Redlining refers to the process of sectioning off significantly poorer areas, and refusing loans and other services to the residents of that area, who are generally people of specific races. This, and other racist practices from the past, have caused immense damage that is still being experienced to this day. The aftermath of these practices from the past is structural racism-- embedded beliefs and bias based on a person’s skin colour.

According to an article by Business Insider, the unemployment rate for all racial groups in America was much higher than that of White Americans during the first few waves of COVID-19. The article also stated that people of colour, especially Black Americans, are severely underrepresented at the top of the corporate hierarchy, meaning that people of colour, especially Black Americans were less likely to have higher job positions. Racial disparities and inequality is the outcome of institutionalized racism, and distressing statistics like these reflect the implicit prejudice the system has towards people of colour, preventing them from being treated equally to their white counterparts.

The Doll Test conducted by psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark is another example of how racism and racial views start at an early age due to systematic racism. The Doll test showcases children primarily of African descent being interviewed. The children were presented with two dolls - one white and one black. They were asked to pick which doll they considered “good”, “pretty” and identified with other positive connotations. 15 out of 21 of the children picked the white doll over the black doll. The test showed how from an early age, children formed opinions based on race.

Exposure to harmful stereotypes, hate and proclivity against people of colour amongst children display the harmful effects of systematic racism -- systematic racism normalizes hatred towards people of colour. This makes it seem natural and innate for certain races to be above others when this isn’t the case. Fortunately, systematic racism can be dismantled --affirmative actions, representation, tolerance and other measures are currently being taken to allow for equal opportunity. Then, individuals can help even by doing the bare minimum such as educating themselves, donating to charities fighting against a broken system, and voting. As quoted by Martin Luther King Junior, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

By Sri Sanjana Baddukonda