The Roots of Racism in the United States and 5 Key Strategies for Resolution

Introduction

While American society is often described as a "melting pot" due to its diverse racial composition, it also carries a deeply rooted history of racial discrimination. From slavery and Jim Crow laws to the modern era, systemic and socio-cultural racism remains a significant issue hindering the progress of American society. Following the "George Floyd incident" in 2020, the "Black Lives Matter" movement gained global momentum, once again bringing the severity of racial discrimination in the US to the forefront. This article briefly examines the historical background of racial discrimination in the United States and introduces five key strategies for resolving the issue, along with examples of currently implemented policies and projects.

1. Historical Background of Systemic Racism

The roots of racial discrimination in the United States trace back to the 17th-century African slave trade. Black people were forcibly brought to America and subjected to inhumane labor under a system of white supremacy, treated as mere property. Even after the official abolition of slavery in 1865 following the Civil War, insidious policies like the "Jim Crow Laws" were enforced in Southern states from the 1870s to the 1960s, legalizing segregation and discrimination against Black people in all aspects of society, including schools, public transportation, restaurants, and public facilities.

This systemic discrimination disadvantaged Black people and other people of color, including Native Americans, Asians, and Latinos, in every area of life: education, housing, employment, the judicial system, and healthcare. White supremacy also influenced immigration policies, land ownership, and bank lending, hindering the accumulation of wealth for people of color and remaining a primary cause of socioeconomic inequality and income disparity to this day.

2. 5 Key Strategies for Resolving Racial Discrimination

Addressing the deeply ingrained issue of racial discrimination in American society requires multifaceted efforts that go beyond simple legal prohibitions. Here are five key strategies for resolving the issue:

2.1. Education System Innovation: Impartial History Education and Respect for Diversity

• Content: School curricula must be reformed to deepen understanding of the dark history of racial discrimination and diverse cultures. Beyond merely listing events, education should critically examine the impact of racism on individuals and society and highlight the contributions of various racial and cultural groups. Ensuring teacher diversity and developing and expanding programs that help students reduce prejudice and foster inclusivity are also essential.
• Examples:
  • "Teaching Tolerance" Project (Southern Poverty Law Center): Provides educational resources and professional development for educators to promote respect for diversity and combat prejudice among students from various backgrounds.
  • "1619 Project" (The New York Times): An initiative to reframe America's founding history from the year 1619 when slavery began, sparking a movement to incorporate the profound impact of race and slavery on American history and identity into educational curricula.

2.2. Police Reform and Improvement of the Judicial System: Enhancing Fairness and Accountability

• Content: Urgent reforms are needed to prevent excessive use of force, such as "over-policing" and "racial profiling," and to strengthen police accountability. This includes establishing independent investigative bodies, mandating body cameras, and enhancing bias training for officers. Efforts are also needed to improve discriminatory sentencing guidelines within the judicial system and prevent excessive investigation and prosecution of minority groups.
• Examples:
  • "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act" (under discussion in the U.S. Congress): This federal bill aims to limit excessive use of force by police, reduce qualified immunity for officers, and strengthen federal standards for police conduct.
  • Community Policing: A strategy adopted in various cities to build trust and strengthen cooperation between police and community members, thereby reducing policing activities based on racial bias.

2.3. Expansion of Employment and Economic Opportunities: Addressing Inequality and Fostering Inclusive Growth

• Content: Legally prohibit racial discrimination in hiring processes and implement affirmative action measures to expand employment opportunities for minority groups. It is especially crucial to increase investment in minority communities that are economically disadvantaged due to systemic reasons, expand support for minority-owned businesses, and implement policy efforts to close wage gaps.
• Examples:
  • Mandatory/Expanded Corporate Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Programs: Many large corporations are voluntarily, or due to investor and societal pressure, strengthening their D&I programs to hire talent from diverse racial backgrounds and create inclusive work environments.
  • Minority Business Development Programs (e.g., Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program): These programs support the growth of minority-owned businesses through initiatives like federal contract set-asides.

2.4. Promotion of Housing and Social Integration: Moving Beyond 'Segregated Lives'

• Content: Eradicate historical discriminatory practices in the housing market and ensure that all races have access to affordable and safe housing. Policies should be pursued to improve conditions in historically segregated areas like "ghettos" and to foster integrated communities where diverse races can live and interact together.
• Examples:
  • Strengthening and Enforcement of the "Fair Housing Act": Strict enforcement of laws prohibiting racial discrimination in the housing market, increased penalties for violations, and proactive investigations of illegal activities by government agencies.
  • Community Reinvestment and Development Programs: These initiatives aim to revitalize neglected minority-concentrated areas through infrastructure investment, and by linking education and job opportunities, thereby reducing social disparities.

2.5. Expansion of Political Participation and Cultivation of Civic Awareness: Driving Change

• Content: Ensure voting rights and encourage political participation for minority groups, ensuring their voices are reflected in policy-making processes. Additionally, support civil society organizations' anti-racism efforts and raise public awareness about racial discrimination to build consensus and expand political influence for resolving racial inequality across society.
• Examples:
  • Voting Rights Activism: Active efforts by civil society to reform electoral systems that make it difficult for minority groups to vote and to increase voter accessibility.
  • Activities of Anti-Racism Civil Organizations: Various civil organizations such as the NAACP, ACLU, and Black Lives Matter continuously work to address racial discrimination through legal action, policy proposals, public education, and protests.

Conclusion

Racial discrimination in the United States is deeply rooted in a long history and complex social structures, making it difficult to resolve quickly. Dismantling systemic racism, which often acts as an "invisible barrier," and driving structural changes beyond individual prejudice will take time. However, by adhering to the five key strategies—education system innovation, police and judicial system reform, expansion of economic opportunities, promotion of housing and social integration, and expansion of political participation and civic awareness—and with sustained efforts from the government, corporations, and civil society, a more just, equitable, and truly diverse American society can be built. We all must pay attention to and support efforts to resolve racial discrimination.