What are your current views on the state of race relations in the US?

Question

As we move forward into the 21st century please explain whether you think race relations have gotten better or worse. Why?

Answer 1

Racism has moved from being overt to being covert (with some instances of overtness, i.e. Michael Richards). If it came down to it, white people would look out for their own before they helped others. Look how quickly everyone turned on Muslims in this country.

The only way race relations will improve is when whites are not the majority anymore and have less power. As long as they have wealth and power, they will be in control no matter how much they try to deny it. Where it goes from there? I don't know.

Answer 2

I would say we are in the midst of a calm, but that there are still underlying hurt feelings and distrust.

Comparing now with the middle of the 20th century, the improvements are dramatic. This is due, in my opinion, to progress in the law and in people's attitudes.

There hasn't been a 'race riot' in quite some time. The riot after the Police were acquitted for beating Rodney King was the last as far as I know. This is huge. Although... it is somewhat sad that we can measure race relations by the lack of violent confrontation.

To proceed from here, the champions of peace are those who befriend, develop relationships, business partners, and do business with those of other races.

Mixing races in social and business settings is vital. If a group "sticks to their own", whatever race, there is a breeding ground for an "us versus them" attitude.

Shopping at the same store does not count. If we just see each other, there remains a mystery, where we can assume the worst. It is only by actually getting to know one another that we can see our similarities.

If we work together for a common goal (whatever that goal may be), there is an attitude of "us" without a "them". Not only do these champions learn an insightful lesson about the other person and their race, they also set an example for others who could develop positive relations with people of another race.

Answer 3

I think it depends on the location and the age of the people you ask. There are some areas where racism is barely noticeable, while in others it is nearly blatant.

It also seems that the younger people have more tolerance than the older. Maybe it is because they are further removed from the 60's and the civil rights unrest that happened around that time.

Will racism ever end?
I doubt it.
Someone mentioned Michael Richards in another post. Yet no one brought up that college professor that stated that all white people should be exterminated. It was a media frenzy when Richards lost his mind and said what he said, but it was hardly mentioned when a black college professor told a group of students at an assembly that all white people should be exterminated.
As long as there are double standards, we'll continue to see racism.

Answer 4

I think blacks like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, along with other blacks are keeping it alive and well any way they can lest their paychecks dry up. I also think a lot of blacks try to find it when there is none and because they didn't get their way, the mentality is "If I don't get a promotion, get fired etc. I will call you a racist and file a lawsuit against you.

Hip hop music isn't helping the problem either, encouraging blacks to act as a stereotype. Just look at all the flak Bill Cosby gets for encouraging young blacks to act in a responsible and dignified manner, could you imagine the blowback if he were white?

I feel black Americans in general are doing their best to not let racism die by dropping out of school at record rates, irresponsible breeding, allowing their family unit to breakdown(being a baby daddy instead of a father), not speaking properly, poor work ethic etc. Whites aren't responsible for these behaviors. For proof that it isn't based on the color of skin look at recent African immagrants that have come over here and made something of themselves through education and hard work and acting properly.

Look at how even on yahoo answers whenever someone can give statistical proof that blacks are doing it to themselves they get called racist. The sad fact is for black Americans is for every one that is actually doing good for themselves there are ten more acting like a stereotype hip hop thug. Blacks need to quit saying that the ones educating themselves and speaking properly are accused of "acting white" or selling out by their own race this is something that is killing black youths and only blacks can stop it.

Answer 5

I think they are better, sure its really, really slow, but it is improving. At least access to education is becoming easier. It is a start. I truly believe education is the only way to end ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of most prejudice and hate.

I live in the south and I think how awful african americans were treated in the generations past. (The Jim Crow laws, separate facilities, etc.) I am glad to say that I have had many friends of many, many different ethnicities and races. My daughter has dolls of all different colors.

Here's hoping that the next generation will "judge a man by the content of his character not by the color of his skin" -MLK, Jr.

Answer 6

i believe that the former slaves that reside in the ex-colonies of the empire, seem to be at greater peace, hast thou been sentanced to lyf in the colonies? if so, i hope that it will make an honest man out of thee. nevertheless, i believe that the cotton plantations are no longer working at full capacity, and there seems to be some sort of tolerance to the workers there, so the answer to thine quiery is yes, race relations seem to have improved, and as we march proudly into the 19th century, thou dost hold potential, appeal to the government and see if you can be brought back to Britain, thou dost not want to endure settling in the colonies allong wyth those barbarians there. but just be thankful that you were not sent to new zealand, the maoris would skin you alive, or at least so i am told.

Answer 7

it sucks.

its better than yesterday, abut we have a long ways to go.

I'm pleased to see the interracial thing happening, its a good way to blend out the races.

we're in the middle of a full on war with arab/muslim extremists, and we as Americans cant even get along. I think the skinheads and white supremacists would rather see a black man strung from a tree than a terrorists.

it's sad.

Answer 8

It hasn't improved to me. I'm from a majority white town, and state. It is usually concealed for the most part. Its part of our lives. You just have to move on and strive for the best out of people.