4/25

As much as we like to believe that racism is not a problem in our world, it unfortunately still exists in our daily lives. It acts as a barrier for people of all races to accomplish their goals. The films were very intriguing by offering different insights on the basis of racism.

Contrary to what many people believe, genetics have nothing to do with race. Over 200 years of medical research, no publications or evidence suggests that the root of one’s race can be found at the genetic level. However, despite this extensive research, people still believe that there is something at the genetic level that influences the color of our skin. Some go as far to say it is inevitable that African-Americans will face extinction because there is a gene that will cause this. Upon hearing this, I was more shocked than angered. How stupid could a person be to actually believe that black people will inevitably face extinction because of a certain gene they carry? This thought is absurd and appalling to hear. In an age of incredible diversity, why do people still think that others that aren’t their skin color are inferior? Since segregation ended in America, we have flourished with more knowledge offered by people from different races. The movie continued to explore what really influences skin color. It explained that climate and sun exposure can make the skin react differently. This is why skin colors are different, not because other races are inferior. It is unreasonable to believe anything other than what has been proven.

The next video focused on segregation and the social effects of racism. I never considered the concept of America as a “melting pot” to have a negative connotation. However, after the video said races that aren’t white act as the firewood for the pot, I began to understand why the phrase was frowned upon. I always thought of a large cauldron with a light brown substance representing all of the races in America. History, however, would suggest that the melting pot that I always envisioned never truly existed. Japanese internment camps, segregation, and hate crimes completely contradict the idea of a melting pot I had. When the video went in to economic factors, I was reminded of the block-busting that realtors did for years. They played the race card and scared white people out of nice neighborhoods because of the threat a new black family placed on them economically. Because a black family was in their neighborhood, their house was supposedly going to depreciate in value. Many things like this construe the idea of a melting pot.

This event was very insightful and interesting. It offered me a lot of knowledge that I never considered before. Genetics clearly don’t play a role in someone’s race, and the barriers created between races are formed by an illusion. It is outrageous to consider the entire black race cursed and doomed for extinction, but there are these types of mindsets. Although America is a free country, other races were not (and in some cases still not) accepted in society. Furthermore racism is still prevalent in a country that is supposed to be looked upon positively as a melting pot.