Racial Inequality and the American Dreams, 2017-2021

Racial Inequality and the American Dreams, 2017-2021

CHAPTER ONE

Objective of the Study

The main objective of this study is to investigate racial inequality and the American dream, 2017-2021. Specific objectives include:

To investigate the extent and nature of racial inequality in the United States, particularly in areas such as income, education, healthcare, and criminal justice.
To explore the impact of recent events and policies, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric, on racial inequality in the US.
To identify potential solutions and policy recommendations to address racial inequality and promote the American Dream of upward mobility and prosperity for all.

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Conceptual Framework

The Historical Context of Slavery, Segregation, And Discrimination

The history of slavery, segregation, and discrimination has had a profound impact on society, particularly in the United States. This legacy has shaped social and economic structures and has had lasting effects on marginalized communities. To fully understand the present, it is important to examine the historical context of these phenomena and their impact on society.

Slavery, one of the most egregious forms of human exploitation, has a long history in many parts of the world. However, the transatlantic slave trade that brought millions of Africans to the Americas is one of the most well-known and significant examples of the practice. The slave trade had a profound impact on both Africa and the Americas, with devastating consequences for enslaved individuals and their communities. The system of slavery was characterized by brutal violence, exploitation, and dehumanization, and it created deep-seated racial hierarchies that continue to shape social relations today (Mintz & McNeil, 2022).

After the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, the United States entered a new era of segregation, discrimination, and violence against Black Americans. The Jim Crow era saw the implementation of a range of laws and practices designed to maintain the subjugation of Black people. This included the establishment of separate but unequal schools, the denial of voting rights, and widespread lynching and violence. The effects of this era are still felt today, particularly in terms of persistent racial inequality and discrimination (Alexander, 2021).

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s brought about significant changes in the legal and political landscape, including the end of legal segregation. However, discrimination and inequality persisted in other forms, including housing, education, and employment. Redlining, for example, was a practice in which Black Americans were systematically denied access to housing and mortgages in certain neighbourhoods, perpetuating racial segregation and disadvantage (Rothstein, 2018).

Today, discrimination continues to be a pervasive issue in many societies. In the United States, for example, Black Americans face disparities in areas such as health, education, and the criminal justice system. These disparities can be traced back to the historical legacy of slavery, segregation, and discrimination. For example, the over-representation of Black Americans in the criminal justice system has been linked to discriminatory practices such as racial profiling and harsher sentencing for drug offences (Alexander, 2021).

Efforts to address these issues have taken various forms, from grassroots organizing and advocacy to policy interventions. One key approach has been to focus on reparations for slavery and its legacy. Reparations could take various forms, such as financial compensation or policies aimed at addressing the ongoing effects of past discrimination (Coates, 2014). While the idea of reparations has gained increasing attention in recent years, it remains a highly contentious issue.

CHAPTER THREE

POLITICAL AND LEGAL RESPONSES TO RACIAL INEQUALITY

Analysis of government policies and their impact on racial inequality

Racial inequality has been a persistent issue in the United States, and government policies have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of race relations. While some policies have been effective in addressing racial inequality, others have contributed to its persistence.

Housing Policies

Housing policies have been a crucial area of government intervention in addressing racial inequality. However, recent research suggests that some policies have contributed to the persistence of racial disparities in homeownership. For instance, a study by Kucheva and Mary Pattillo (2022) found that the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) policies in the mid-20th century were responsible for creating and maintaining racial segregation. The authors argue that the FHA’s practice of redlining – denying loans to residents of predominantly Black neighbourhoods – led to disinvestment in those neighbourhoods and perpetuated residential segregation. Another study by Rolf Pendall et al. (2022) found that although fair housing laws have made some progress in addressing discrimination, they have not been able to overcome the legacy of discrimination, and new policies are needed to reduce racial disparities in homeownership.

Criminal Justice Policies

Criminal justice policies have also played a significant role in shaping racial inequality in the US. Recent studies have shown that policies such as mandatory minimum sentences, three-strikes laws, and stop-and-frisk practices have disproportionately affected communities of colour. A study by Morell (2022) found that mandatory minimum sentences have resulted in the over-incarceration of Black and Latinx individuals, contributing to the racial disparities in the US criminal justice system. Another study by Simon and Page (2023) found that three-strikes laws have led to the over-incarceration of Black individuals, perpetuating racial disparities in the US criminal justice system.

CHAPTER FOUR

MEDIA AND PUBLIC DISCOURSE ON RACIAL INEQUALITY

Analysis of Media Coverage of Racial Inequality, Including Bias and Stereotypes

Racial inequality remains a critical issue in the United States, and media coverage of this issue plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions. In recent years, there has been growing concern about the bias and stereotypes perpetuated by the media, and the impact that this has on perceptions of racial minorities. This review will analyze the current state of media coverage of racial inequality, with a focus on the bias and stereotypes that are present, and the impact that this has on society.

Bias and Stereotypes in Media Coverage

Research has shown that the media often perpetuates stereotypes and biased coverage of racial minorities. For example, a study by Pena et al. (2022) found that news coverage of Black individuals was often associated with negative terms such as “criminal” and “violent,” while coverage of white individuals was more likely to be associated with positive terms such as “successful” and “heroic.” Similarly, a study by Zhao et al. (2023) found that Asian individuals were often portrayed in the media as “perpetual foreigners” or “model minorities,” which perpetuated stereotypes about their culture and identity.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary

Based on the literature reviewed, racial inequality continues to be a persistent issue in the United States, affecting individuals and society as a whole. The Trump administration’s policies had a negative impact on racial inequality, particularly for marginalized communities. Affirmative action and other policies have been effective in addressing racial inequality, but there is an ongoing debate about their role in promoting equity. Legal remedies have had mixed success in addressing racial inequality, with some policies being more effective than others. Local government policies and community-based initiatives have shown promise in combating racial inequality, but more research is needed to fully understand their impact.

Media coverage and social media play a significant role in shaping public discourse on racial inequality, and there is a need to address bias and stereotypes in their representation of different racial groups. Finally, social movements like Black Lives Matter have brought attention to issues of racial inequality and have impacted public opinion and policy. Overall, more work is needed to fully address racial inequality and promote the American Dream for all individuals regardless of their race.

Furthermore, legal remedies and affirmative action are effective in addressing racial inequality, although they have faced challenges in implementation and enforcement. Local government policies and community-based initiatives have also played a crucial role in combating racial inequality, particularly in areas such as education and housing.

Media coverage and social media have also been found to play a significant role in shaping public discourse on racial inequality, with studies highlighting issues such as bias and stereotypes in media representation. Social movements such as Black Lives Matter have also had a significant impact on public opinion and policy, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address racial inequality.

Overall, these findings suggest that while progress has been made in addressing racial inequality in the US, there is still much work to be done. It is crucial to continue exploring the impact of government policies, social movements, community-based initiatives, media representation, and intersectionality on racial inequality to develop more effective strategies for promoting equity and realizing the American Dream for all.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of racial inequality has been a persistent challenge in the United States, and its impact on the American Dream cannot be overemphasized. Through this historical thesis, we have explored various facets of this issue, from its historical roots to its contemporary manifestations. We have reviewed government policies and legal remedies aimed at addressing racial inequality, as well as the impact of social movements and media representation on public opinion and policy.

The findings from this study demonstrate that racial inequality persists in the US and has significant implications for the achievement of the American Dream by marginalized communities. Although progress has been made in some areas, such as increased representation in politics and media, more needs to be done to address systemic barriers and promote equity in education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

Moreover, addressing racial inequality requires a comprehensive approach that considers the intersectionality of race with other identities, such as gender and sexuality. Community-based initiatives, affirmative action, and other policy solutions have the potential to make a significant impact on reducing racial disparities.

In conclusion, policymakers and individuals must continue to prioritize addressing racial inequality in the US to promote a more just and equitable society where all individuals have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations were made:

Increase representation of marginalized groups in media: Media organizations should increase the representation of marginalized groups in their programming. This can be done by hiring a more diverse staff and consulting with members of marginalized communities to ensure their perspectives are accurately represented.
Expand access to education and job opportunities: Policymakers should work to expand access to education and job opportunities, particularly for members of marginalized communities. This can be done by increasing funding for public schools in low-income areas and creating targeted job training programs.
Reform law enforcement practices: Law enforcement agencies should implement reforms to reduce racial disparities in policing. This can be done by promoting community policing, increasing transparency and accountability, and providing bias training to law enforcement officers.
Address systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system: Policymakers should address systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system by reforming mandatory minimum sentencing laws and reducing the number of people in prison.
Increase funding for community-based initiatives: Local governments should increase funding for community-based initiatives that aim to address racial inequality. These initiatives can include youth mentorship programs, job training programs, and community development projects.

Contribution to Knowledge

The contribution to the knowledge of this thesis is significant as it sheds light on the persistence of racial inequality in the United States and its impact on the American Dream. The analysis of government policies and their impact on racial inequality, as well as the evaluation of policy solutions to address racial inequality, provides insight into the effectiveness of current approaches and suggests potential avenues for improvement. The review of media coverage of racial inequality and the role of social media in shaping public discourse highlights the importance of accurate representation and fair portrayal of marginalized groups in the media.

Furthermore, the analysis of the impact of Black Lives Matter and other social movements on public opinion and policy suggests the potential for grassroots activism to bring about change, while the exploration of the intersection of race and other social identities underscores the complexity and nuance of issues surrounding racial inequality. Finally, the evaluation of the effectiveness of legal remedies in addressing racial inequality highlights the need for comprehensive and equitable solutions that address systemic issues.

Overall, this thesis contributes to the existing body of literature on racial inequality and its impact on the American Dream by providing a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the issue, as well as offering recommendations for policy-makers and stakeholders on how to address and combat racial inequality in the United States.

Suggestions for Further Studies

Based on the findings of this thesis, there are several areas for further research on racial inequality and the American Dream. One possible avenue for future research is to conduct a longitudinal study to examine how racial disparities in wealth, education, and employment have changed over time and how they continue to impact access to the American Dream.

Additionally, more research is needed on the intersectionality of race and other social identities, such as gender, sexuality, and disability, in shaping experiences of racial inequality and access to the American Dream. Furthermore, future research could also explore the role of culture and media in shaping perceptions of race and the American Dream.

Finally, as policies and initiatives aimed at addressing racial inequality continue to evolve, it will be important to conduct ongoing research to evaluate their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

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