It may be easy to make the assumption
that in the 21st Century there is no longer racial tension and that Americans
have moved on from the problem of racial segregation and racism. It is masked
by the fact that America has a colored president, and more colored individuals
have taken up opportunities, there are intermarriages between the races and
more freedoms and equality than ever. However, the experience among the young people
and also the dispositions and behaviors indicated among the young people more
so in high schools tend to disagree with the notion (Ortiz and Santos). The
fact that the social groupings and racial identity among the students are
indicated by the high level of clusters among individuals based on their ethnic
affiliation is alarming in a generation that is perceived to be more open
minded and accommodating than any other. Schools are witnessing students of
each racial grouping engaging in similar activities and also forming their
cliques and social spheres. It is a phenomenon that is also present in a major
way in correctional facilities churches and other social gatherings. Therefore,
there is still a form of racial tension and that among Americans, racial
identity is a significant factor in choosing their social groupings.
One the major causes of the formation
of social identities and also that have encouraged the continued racial tension
among the teenage Americans is the fact that there is a perceived need for
social conformity among individuals. As the students grow up, they are
socialized and also see from their parents the sense of social cohesion that
exists among the different races. For example, there are various associations
and grouping specifically set aside to support people of a specific race. It is
more among the formerly marginalized groupings such as the African Americans
who feel the need to support one another in a bid to make it in the
White-dominated society (Chao and Otsuki-Clutter). The students grow up
attending churches and other social gatherings that emphasize the need for
conformity into the racial groupings for support and security. It is this that
is translated in schools making the students form racial cliques to “look outâ€
for one another (Tatum, 776). Secondly, there is still a sense of anxiety and
suspicion present among individuals across the racial divide. The African
Americans may feel that they need to remain vigilant to avoid reverting to the
segregation and discrimination they faced whereas the whites may feel
threatened by the African American’s involvement in all spectrums and also may
feel as though there may be shifts in dynamics (Chao and Otsuki-Clutter). As a
result, the whites may want to remain united to avoid being overtaken by the
minority races whereas the minority unites to make the bond stronger. Thirdly,
some of the parents may feel as though the realities of racial differences in
the country may be too damaging to their children and therefore intend to protect
them at all cost. It is this that leads to encouraging them to stick with
members if their race for support and insulation from the harsh realities of
racial differences. Moreover, the issue of racism may also lead to the fear of
being branded as a racist and is, therefore, most present among the white
children that fear to interact with the colored students for fear of being
branded racist (Chao and Otsuki-Clutter).
Some students prefer staying within
their racial groupings so as to avoid the consequences that come with being
racist. There is still a lack of free talk on the issue of racism, and
therefore, one may fear to say or to act in a way possibly interpreted as
racist. Therefore, prefer staying within their comfort zones provided by their
racial grouping (Tatum, 779). Another major reason why the students stay within
the grouping is the kind of socialization that they receive from their parents
and the society in general. As the students grow up, they learn from the adults
and also hear what they the society holds coupled with the stereotypes
regarding the other races. As a result, they may form perceptions that may be
ill-informed leading to the segregation tendencies (Ortiz and Santos). There is
also a lack of sufficient awareness of the racial differences that the students
being majorly in their adolescent are grappling with at the time. It is because
racism is kept as an issue that majority of adults prefer to remain silent
about instead of enlightening the younger generations on how to go beyond the
stereotypes and the racial differences. They have, therefore, not yet developed
the skills and tools necessary to deal with the racial differences they
experience (Tatum, 782).
Out of a personal experience, as Tatum
indicates, high schools experience the racial divides in a major way. It is
because, there are strongly held stereotypes, and presumptions about
individuals of varying races and individuals may make judgments on a person
basing it on what they have seen, experienced or heard in other quotas. The
presence of shows, celebrity cliques and even some songs and films that
encourage racial separation has also had a significant influence in the way
students form social relationships.
There is a need for the students to
learn more on the issues of racism so as to develop the skills and equip them
with the tools to deal with racial differences (Tatum, 784). It is because,
individuals of various cultural backgrounds are bound to have some differences
such an accents, the style of doing things and also their belief systems. It
is, therefore, imperative to create channels that enable the students to have a
global and diversified mindset whereby they are more accommodating of the
variations among individuals. Being informed will lead to open-mindedness that
in turn will result to curbing the racial tension among the students while at
the same time reduce the racial divide while forming social relationships.
Additional articles
Good care for the elderly and those with disabilities and chronic illness basically refers to the complete process of fulfilling the special requirements that are needed by senior citizens and those with disabilities and chronic illness (Dannefer ...Social-Gerontology …
Read ArticleThe film “The Mission†paints the picture of the 18th-century colonialism and missionary interest in South America. One such mission is that of Spanish Jesuit priest Father Gabriel, who set foot to the Paraguayan and the Northeastern Argentina...Film-History …
Read ArticleGetting to buy argumentative essay online can be one of the best things you will experience while on campus since the best way to piece together an argumentative essay is through collaboration. Did you get A’s? Applaud yourself. Did you get Bâ€...Buy-argumentative-essay-online …
Read Article