Why is it that racism still exists, so many years after the emancipation proclamation?

Answer 1

theory w/out action



"...the proclamation may not free a single slave, but it gives liberty a moral recognition...."
--henry ward beecher

"...the news of the proclamation was received with mixed feelings..."
"...despite this expansive wording, the emancipation proclamation was limited in many ways...."

"...lthough the emancipation proclamation did not immediately free a single slave, it fundamentally transformed the character of the war....the emancipation proclamation confirmed [slaves'] insistence that the war for the union must become a war for freedom...it added moral force to the union cause and strengthened the union both militarily and politically....as a milestone along the road to slavery's final destruction, the emancipation proclamation has assumed a place among the great documents of human freedom...."



it's a "milestone along the road"
it wasn't the end of the journey
people need to continue being proactive




http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/
--president abraham lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation on january 1, 1863

Answer 2

Ah! I see that I was not the only who caught the 2-hr doc which aired on CNN's Paula Zahn show......that is a tough question. We have tried to answer it by looking back into history and benchmarking where we are now. Why do some people have a need to feel superior to others? Well......look at society at large. It's all hierarchical and deesigned to create equity through inequity........for the top tier to feel like they are the "elites" there have to bottom feeders...everything we do and are is set up that way.....so perhaps the hierchical nature of society has a part to play.....

Also....I wonder if things would have been different esp. in the U.S. if people had forcibly been made to integrate IMMEDIATELY after abolition of slavery....why in the world did it take until the 1960's to have a fully integrated society?....the time in btw created enormous inequity btw white and non-white racial groups in this country...this is suppoused to be the most progressive country in the world but until 40 years ago, it was more like apartheid south africa.....

Also, it takes time to undo hundreds of years of damage. The problem today is that we have lost patience with the debate. Whites feel that it's been 40 years since the civil rights movements and everyone should just get over it...people forget that we still have generations alive today who remember a time when things were very different. This kind of change has only been a part of our society for one generation.....and not even a complete generation. One the other hand, non-white groups are frustrated that in 2006 we are still seeing racial incidents........ So what has happend? The debate stands still and all these feelings become hidden...which is worse because they now are allowed to fester and never open to review...

Answer 3

Because there are still narrow minded people in the world. First off, the emancipation proclomation only had to do with ONE race (there are many othres that are victims of racism). Secondly, the Emancipation Proclomation only ENDED slavery by policy. That doesn't mean that the old problems/feelings didn't exist. Basically, there are all types of fear and dislike for those that are different (see firestorm of gay marraige bans...). This is truly like asking "why does sexism still exist when women have been voting for almost 100 years (they got the right several decades after african americans did). It's very hard to change people, and most people learn their values etc... from their parents and pass them on......

Answer 4

Racism is a state of mind and you can't legislate states of mind out of existence. And just what was the emancipation proclamation? It was a political move, freeing the slaves only in areas Lincoln didn't control. So, it freed those he had no power to free and retained in slavery those he did have the power to free. So, the reality is, it had no effect on anything.

Answer 5

Racism/Discrimination will always exist when there is inequality and differences among people. It also has a lot to do with the history as culture and lifestyle that we lead today is a reflection of our past history. You can't just command some one to stop being a racist or discriminate. It is deep rooted within human nature and only with time and understanding people will clear thier misconceptions and learn to embrace one another. There are laws in place to prevent such acts from taking place and to ensure that the rights of the citizens are preserved, but that does not mean that you can hold someone from having a grudge with a person from different race.

It will take time, effort and understanding. You can't force it on people by using laws, it has to be accepted willingly! This would build a strong foundation and preserve trust among one another during crisis.

First step to eradicating racism is to accept one another for who we are. Accept diverse cultures. Don't mock them, learn from them!

Second, be open minded and if doubt clarify with the person. Don't assume and spread the wrong message to other people like your friends and families!

Answer 6

Just because an historical event took place and was written into law and history, does not mean it was written in the hearts of men and women.

It is a very complicated subject IMO. If you study the racial relations just in the United States alone, and attempt to explain it, clearly it would be would be an oversimplification of a very complex problem. And it is a problem. It is a very complex subject that means different things to different people. For example you could talk to an African American and say: "why does racism exist?" and depending upon the individual and their level of education, subjective experience, and class level, you will get a multitude of very different answers.

But make no mistake...at the core of racism is ignorance, and most of all, hatred. I have come to believe that people project their own problems and negative feelings on other people...or groups. If you were a truly happy, upbeat individual, who was pleased with your life, and circumstances and were capable of great love, you would not have this ignorance or hatred in your heart. With love of self, comes acceptance of others. All others.

Answer 7

Racism is a deep rooted facet of our culture, as well as most other cultures. It is impossible to legislate it out of existence. Even the slavery which the proclamation banned still hasnt went away. Wage slavery is rampant (goto Times Square. Who is working behind the MCDonalds counter for minimum wage and who is working behind the desk at 6 figures a year?)

It will take hundreds, if not thousands of years to get rid of it. It stems from a preservation of culture. My forefathers were once considered a threat to this country. They were the lowest paid (aside from the blacks) on any construction job and they were relegated to the most menial of jobs. But as time went on, Italians assimilated into America, and were no longer seen as a threat. Blacks do not have that luxury.

When two cultures no longer feel threatened by one another, then it will go away. It will not go away by a president signing a piece of paper.

Answer 8

The emancipation proclamation was a political event. It did not change the minds of those people against it. Racist beliefs are not born into people, they are taught by the parents and families of the inocent children born to these hateful ignorant individuals who insist on keeping evil alive and kicking.Race discrimination is fueled by fear and stupidity.

Answer 9

Because people will not let it drop, not just those who get it thrown in their faces but the constant reference to it as being the reason behind crime, drug abuse, violence. Just let people be what they are different. Lets not forget that the whites were slaves long before the blacks, in fact Dublin was the centre of the slave trade in the year 1000, the Slavs were shipped in by the Anglo Saxons and the Huns and that is where the word slave comes from. Racism is not exclusive to any one race it is used by all and should be treated with the contempt it deserves, perhaps then we would have less of it.

Answer 10

Racism is not about slavery it is about thinking that others are so different that they become figures of hate. It also has nothing to do with skin colour (i.e Hitler) as racists often hate people from the neighbouring country or region who though the same colour are sufficently different to worry themselves about and therefore fear. These differences often have historical roots, many based upon religous differences or ancient slights. Basically racism is taught - observe kids in the kindergarten those that play happily together encouraged by their parents will probably grow up not noticing the differences between theirselves - those that are encouraged not to play with so and so will not.