Being different is something that people in society seem to not
understand, and it scares them. Society had standards, and expects something out
of all of us, and when someone/something is different, society tries to push it
out. Racism has been something that goes way back, and has caused laws to be
made. Unfortunately, racism still continues today, even with the laws that were
made. But the laws have made an impact, because today we do have a black
president, and that’s a big step in getting rid of racism.
In the 1800 and 1900’s racism was a big thing. Blacks were made out to
seem like they were not equal to the white, and got treated very harshly, and
got the short end of the stick. White folks made it clear that they thought they
were above the blacks and deserved better, like getting to sit in the front of
the bus, their own bathrooms, water fountains, etc. and better schooling, houses
and even jobs. In Plessy vs. Ferguson, Homer Plessy was arrested for sitting in
a car on the train that was supposed to be for whites only. Even though Homer
could easily pass for white because of his skin color, he still had African
American in him, which meant that he was supposed to sit in the “colored” area
on the train. Homer refused to get up and go sit in the colored area, and was
arrested on the spot. He took it to court, and won and the “separate but equal”
doctrine was made so it enforced over the blacks, so everyone knew that even
though they were different, they were equal.
Even with the laws passed, racism still happens today. Blacks still
aren’t treated as equals, along with many other races. In our society today,
being African American and being somewhere at the wrong time could end up with
you going to jail, because “blacks” are put in a category that they steal, kill,
shoot, and cause chaos. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem to come across as racist to
some people, like putting asian’s in the category that they’re always smart
because that’s how asians are. As much as we want to seem like we have control
over this topic, racism is still a big problem today. Racism has been used as
weapons and to cause harm, during many wars, some wars were even started because
of race, such as the war Hitler started about the jewish
people.
Though racism is still happening today, it has gone down and for the most
part people are started to accept, that just because you’re a different race, it
doesn’t mean that you should be treated differently. The generation today, is
more open to different races, and because of that we have a black president
currently. Many people believe
that because President Obama is president it opened up people’s eyes and showed
them that the USA is not a “white” country, we are the land of the free and
shouldn’t change that just because of different races. There wouldn’t be any
possibility of Obama being president if racism has went away for the most part,
because back in the 1800-1900’s having a black president was unheard of, and not
even considered. But in this day and age, things have changed for the better,
and people are putting aside the differences of
people.
All in all, racism is something that should have not happened, and it’s
sad that it did. But America has went through believing in racism, to pretty
much getting rid of racism and having a black president today. Though it went
through many stages, America has progressed in trying to get better and showing
everyone that each and every single person is equal, and has the exact same
rights as everyone else, it doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, asain, etc.
We are all the same and have the exact same rights as everyone else, and society
has proved that today. Having a black president was probably a break through,
but if it wasn’t for Plessy vs. Ferguson. racism still might exist
today.