Where is the Equality?
We like to think of America as a land of equal opportunity, equal rights, and even equal access to the American Dream. But when we think about these ideas and really begin to scrutinize the extent to which individuals of different races have access to these things, is there actually equality? After skimming through the chapters in White and Hanson's anthology "The American Dream in the 21st Century", I found one specific chapter to really catch my eye. James W. Loewen's chapter titled "Dreaming in Black and White" stood out to me the most, as I already held some skepticism toward the "equality" of the American Dream which certainly differs for Caucasians and minorities. Loewen primarily focuses on the idea of racial geography, which limits individuals from acquiring their desired lifestyle and/or American Dream, as they essentially become forced to reside in a specific area due to the development of things like "sundown towns" or "zoning and informal policing" (Loewen 61).
Unfortunately, as Loewen discusses throughout the chapter, it appears as though the segregation which was once widespread across the nation left behind a residue, influencing some Americans to still behold feelings of superiority or inferiority based on their race. For example, Loewen claims that African Americans felt prohibited from acquiring the American Dream. He adds that they "concluded that reaching the American Dream by the usual (white) methods excluded them" (Loewen 69). Many individuals often leave their native countries to come to America, in hopes of garnering the opportunities that the American nation seems to offer; however, it is definitely much more difficult for those of minority to do so. Often times individuals leave their own countries and arduous lives behind, just to come to America to be met with more misfortune and inequality. Ultimately, Loewen's claim made me wonder if reaching one's American Dream was even worth attempting for those who were not of Caucasian descent. It is certainly possible for one to do so, yet the discrimination and inequality that persists today despite immense advancements is unreal. It would be extremely difficult to garner one's dream when those around you silently tell you that you cannot with their looks, ideals, and even the way that they vote in elections.
I liked to believe that our country was headed on the right path, slowly but surely diminishing the inequality that has plagued our growth for so long. However, Loewen's claim that there actually has not been much progress discouraged my belief. He describes how "we must change our racial geography in order to change our American Dream", otherwise we will continue to live in a divided nation consisting of an integrated and a segregated America (Loewen 71). The American nation has certainly seen some steps toward positive change, as seen in the election of Barack Obama as the first African American President. In order to continue seeing progression across the nation, it is salient that Americans aim to achieve unison.
Loewen's chapter mainly focused on African Americans and their perception of the American Dream, which made me question how those of other minority groups view the American Dream as well. It is unfortunate that the country founded on ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness still struggles to this day to provide each and every American citizen with these rights. However, I believe that through a shared goal of reformation and unity, change will result and create a more prosperous nation overall.
I completely agree with your feelings of being disheartened by this section of the book. I skimmed the first few paragraphs of this section and it really made me question if my version of a perfect future was a "white" dream like Loewen described. It also made me look at my own suburban neighborhood back home and I realize that there are indeed few people of other ethnicities than Caucasian. This is a baffling fact to man, as I have always been in very diverse schools and community recreations, so the thought of living in a primarily white community is a bit discomforting. I also agree that I believe steady progress is being made and that there is still hope for the future, but the subconscious segregation is a huge issue that I think many people need to be more aware of.
ReplyDeleteI was also disappointed to read this chapter of the book because it confirmed a thought that is always in the back of Americans' minds. Although I did not read this chapter of the book, I am familiar with the topics it explores and was saddened realize that our country is not truly a place of freedom or equality. As the author only focused on the prejudice and intolerance African Americans still face in the United States, I was also really curious as to how other minorities groups have altered views and experiences with the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteEquality is quite a controversial topic, especially in today's society where President Trump may be seen in the category of "white superiority." It's not only him, but most members of Congress who grew up having race-specific qualities over the others. Might I add that there have been only a few other individuals of a different race that were allowed to be in Congress. The word "inequality" triggers me and makes me think of how unjust this world actually is. Why is inequality even a thing? And even though we try and try again to fix what is wrong in the world, some people circumvent it and make the world a bad place yet again. I have no tolerance for those that se themselves as better of the others because we should all recognize one's struggles to make the world a better place. I don't see it hard to not be nice to a person, and if there's a conflict to be resolved then might as well solve it. As you have given me a glimpse of your moralistic values, I have given you some of mine in return. Thoughts just flood my head and I try to write as eloquently as I can for you to understand what it is that I think about.
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy to think that we abolished slavery so long ago yet racial discrimination still seems to drive apart our nation. The most appalling part of this chapter, or at least one of them, was the fact that certain towns were identified as "sundown" towns. These towns thought that it was in their rights to kick out the black community strictly because of nonexistent threats or violence. White and Hanson claim that the white community came to fear the black nightmare. However, it seems as though the whites have created an imaginary black nightmare as most blacks can claim they are not violent and their race is falsely victimized as such. Perhaps it is a white nightmare that we are living out. This nightmare makes us fearful of anyone who does not have the same pigment of skin of identical culture. It is white entitlement that causes this discrimination to happen.
ReplyDeleteI also took a look at this chapter which was interesting because I feel like this aspect of racism in society is heavily overlooked. To tweak something as fundamental as living conditions and where you are located with racial motivations is diabolical to society and the statistics and examples provided in the chapter suggest that as well. People should be more integrated because diverse settings in my opinion are the key to diminishing and eventually eliminating racism. Growing up around people from different backgrounds and different walks of life grant you different perspectives on how people are brought up which expand one's point of view. Close-mindedness and ignorance lead to racism and learning to be tolerant to people from diverse backgrounds is a solid way to counter that.
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