Racism and Discrimination in Colleges in United States Essay Example
Introduction
Racism is a worldwide issue that drastically alters people's lives, leading to an environment of discrimination and hindering minority individuals from realizing their aspirations. Racism and discrimination are closely intertwined, significantly impacting society. These forms of discrimination target various criteria such as skin color, immigrants in a foreign land, and minority populations within a community.
Racism and discrimination have significantly affected individuals belonging to minority groups or with different skin colors in many colleges in the United States. The current focus is on identifying the causes and effects of racism and discrimination among college students, as well as promoting proposed solutions to address these issues. According to Park et al (pg. 166), racism and discrimination against Asian Americans in schools take various forms, including seemingly minor behaviors that have significant societal c
...onsequences. For example, the budget allocated to Asian and black American students is disproportionately lower compared to white students.
Black students in discriminatory situations believe that they are not receiving the same services as their white peers. This leads them to protest to both the school administration and the government in order to fight for their rights. Additionally, when students themselves make racial jokes targeting their fellow classmates, it normalizes racism and has long-term negative effects on the lives of those affected. This issue is further aggravated by the lack of punishment for racial stereotyping by school authorities. Similarly, immigrants facing challenges in the United States are often violated, intimidated, and face heightened risks. Park et al (pg. 166) highlight that discrimination against young people in colleges can stem from the way authorities treat minority groups.
The school system engages in discriminatio
by restricting the services provided to certain individuals. This discrimination specifically affects minorities, including African Americans and Asian Americans. These groups experience violations of their rights through suspensions and expulsions, which may indicate racism and discrimination towards their right to succeed (Park et al pg. 166). Although the problem leading to the suspension may be the same, the percentage of minorities that face suspensions in schools is higher compared to white students.
In addition, racist teachers can perpetuate animosity towards certain groups of students and contribute to societal racism. One example is when they make remarks that denigrate specific groups, leading to negative feelings among students. Moreover, the impact of unusual beliefs and values on students, particularly black students, should not be underestimated. It is also worth noting that certain institutional practices can have negative consequences for marginalized individuals due to biased questioning. An illustration of this is the intelligence quotient questions, which cater solely to white students and undermine the cultural identities of minority groups like black people and Latin Americans.
Racial bias and prejudice within educational institutions have profoundly affected the experiences of minority students, particularly impacting their lives. For instance, the presence of racism has contributed to a surge in criminal behaviors among minority communities such as African Americans. Many white individuals, as well as school administrations, tend to stereotype black students as gang members and thieves. Furthermore, these instances of racism and discrimination have significantly impacted the self-confidence of those affected, resulting in ongoing bullying from white peers.
Schmitt et al (pg. 922) state that racism has a detrimental effect on students' academic performance and overall grades, with long-lasting consequences for their lives. The
article underscores the severe impact of racism, leading to students quitting school and engaging in hazardous activities that can have negative outcomes. This includes potential involvement in criminal behaviors, even resulting in fatality. Additionally, discrimination also drives teachers away from their profession due to racism and discrimination (Schmitt et al pg.922).
This is because they will be less motivated and can avoid going to schools completely. This, in turn, will impact the reputation of the school because both affected and potential students will no longer choose to attend such schools. The solutions to racism and discrimination involve holding the individuals responsible for their racist actions accountable. This can be achieved by making them legally answerable and by imposing significant fines and penalties, thus reducing the problem (Greene et al pg. 9).
According to Greene et al (pg. 10), diversifying the staff and students in a school will lead to a more representative average of minority groups and help reduce instances of discrimination and racism. Encouraging open dialogue among teachers, students, and parents about racism and discrimination is crucial in exposing and addressing racial practices, ultimately leading to a more stable and peaceful society. Similarly, involving students in active cooperative learning activities like research not only helps them acquire important life skills, but also keeps them occupied and prevents them from engaging in racial orientations (Greene et al, pg.
9). The study conducted by Park et al (172) emphasizes the difficulties encountered in enforcing policies aimed at addressing racism and discrimination within schools. These challenges encompass corruption, wherein individuals accused of racism may bribe judges to manipulate case outcomes and thereby undermine the integrity of the justice system. Another
substantial barrier is the unequal allocation of resources, which impedes the establishment of a racism-free and discrimination-free environment. As mentioned by Greene et al (pg. 13), ensuring that all students receive equal resources can help alleviate negative perceptions held by minority groups.
Insufficient government financial support to combat racism and discrimination exacerbates the challenge of eradicating this issue quickly. While the government may impose penalties for racial abuse, ineffective administration hampers the implementation of measures to address racial problems (Park et al. pg. 166). Consequently, racial abuse has resulted in discrimination against minority groups. In the United States, these marginalized communities are often stereotyped as criminals and drug dealers within educational institutions.
Discrimination has been experienced by individuals in various situations, such as the unequal allocation of budgeted funds for schools, particularly in comparison to other students. Those who are caught using drugs often receive longer prison sentences. Moreover, they have also faced a disproportionate impact from school dropouts, resulting in a diminished quality of life.
Work Cited
- Park, Irene JK, et al. "Perceived racial/ethnic discrimination and antisocial behaviors among Asian American college students: Testing the moderating roles of ethnic and American identity." Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology 19.2 (2013): 166.
- Greene, Kenneth R. "Racism: Its Impact on the African American Family." Leaven 6.2 (2012): 9.
- Schmitt, M. T., et al. "The consequences of perceived discrimination for psychological well-being: a meta-analytic review." Psychological bulletin140.4 (2014): 921-948.
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