If America is so great, Why is there so much racism here?

Question

why? parents, atmosphere, experience, ignorance? why?

Just a question people

Answer 1

Part of the reason is because the population is so heterogeneous or mixed. In other countries like Japan or Sweden, there are not as many race problems because the population is much more homogeneous. Another reason why it seems like there is so much more racism is because our system of free press and free speech allows all these problems to be aired in public. In many other countries where there as just as many, if not more, problems, the public doesn't get to hear about it.

Answer 2

In what society do you live in that has no social problems? America is not just great, but the greatest nation on earth. Why do you think so many people immigrate here? Why do you think so many cross our borders illegally? Why do so many other countries ask for our assistance?

America is a melting pot of almost every race on the face of the planet. While the vast majority of Americans embrace and even enjoy ethnic differences, the sad few who promote hatred and racism are usually those that get the most press. I'm sure if you think about it, you will know this is true. After all, are all Iranians and Saudis terrorists? Of course not, but the press sure makes it seem that way doesn't it?

Answer 3

Well I think there's racism everywhere, and if you're wondering where it comes from, yes, I think a lot of it is from what you mention. But also I think humans just have a built-in tendency to classify things or people together and often times see patterns even where patterns don't exist, and to try to blame those that seem different for their problems.
I don't think there's necessarily any more racism in America than anywhere else though, and I've been to a lot of places in this world. It's more acknowledged here. You see that when the prime minister of Japan looks at the world with a straight face and wonders why everyone's so upset that he said Blacks and Puerto Ricans (why Puerto Ricans in particular... well you got me!) are responsible for keeping America's test scores behind Japan's. You see it when you live in some Western European country where peolpe will tell you that Americans are the racists, they're not, it's us Americans... then you meet some African American guy who's living there and he tells you he hasn't seen it this bad in the States since the 50's, and so forth.
Also it's not the lack of problems that makes us great it's how we deal with them. We're not afraid to look at ourselves in a negative light and fix our problems with a can do attitude. Yeah there's still racism here, there's a lot of problems here. But has it gotten better, oh say in the last 50 years? I think so. Has it gotten better elsewhere? In some cases yes, but in a lot of cases no, in fact just the opposite.

Answer 4

To be honest, I think real racism is decreasing every generation. While I don't live in an area with a huge amount of ethnic diversity (read it's mainly white), I feel most people are pretty accepting of other races. I work with a lot of teenagers and I think the acceptance or tolerance is especially obvious in them. In fact, I think most teens today - at least in Northern California - accept most people for who they are.

Now what I mean by real racism above is an absolute hatred of people from other races based on nothing more than the color of their skin. I think this type of racism is disappearing from the US. However, I do think there are still two main areas of concern. First of all I think there is a group of people who automatically assume anyone speaking something other than English is an illegal immigrant. And I think this is likely to become more prevalent as politicians make immigration policies a bigger political issue.

The other major problem I see facing minority groups today is not racism but stereotypes. I think there are many people who associate certain races with certain attributes - for example, some people see black people as uneducated gang bangers and/or criminals. And while many of these stereotypes are unfair, I also think they are based on a certain amount of observable truth. While it is important for everyone to teach their kids tolerance and acceptance of everyone, I also think these various groups have a burden of changing the perception of their people by helping more of their people rise above the stereotypes.

Answer 5

Why do you automatically associate "greatness" with a lack of racism?

Me, I like the fact that I can go into any hospital and be treated without having to use reused bandages or out of date medicines donated by other countries. I can eat what I want at any time of the day or night. I can read and say and think anything I want to and I can thank whichever God I want for the pleasure. People don't drag me from my bed and kill me with a machete, nor do I starve to death cooking my goat over a dung fire.

You think somewhere else is better? Feel free to leave.

Answer 6

What makes America great is the all the freedoms we have including the freedom to become a success. I would rather live in the United States of America than any other country in the world. All countries have racism and they are not that great.

Answer 7

Racism is a world issue not just an american one. Not everyone in America follows it's notions. Why does every country have jails?

Answer 8

Too many people take things personaly. Someone gets offended and if you are not politically correct you are a racist. Me I love everybody and I don't care what your color is but because I didn't say something to someones liking i was racist. I worked in Detroit on Finkell and Greenfield. This guy asked for my number and as I refused the offer he spat all kinds of " you a white fill in the blank" A few days later he came back in with his friends as they made an order. I asked him if he wanted anything and he said no. Then he asked me if I hated him. What's to hate I hardly know you. He couldn't beleive it. Him and I had many conversations over cheseburgers after that. I know it is hard sometimes but, we need to realize who the real enemy is . for we do not fight with weapons of physical warfare but those of the spirit. GOD BLESS and i'm out

Answer 9

Your right it's a bad place. Tell all the people that are jumping the border that racism is in America. Go BACK ! IT'S A TRAP! GO BACK !

Answer 10

There's racism everywhere. It's biological, a human need to feel better than those who look different and to hate them.

Evolution itself is based on competition, adaptation and survival: in short, in struggle. That struggle, in a rational being, becomes fear, hate, prejudice and racism.