Discrimination is unequal treatment in which one person is treated worse than another in the same situation. Thus, the oppression of black people is racial discrimination and has dire consequences. Racism is the persistent belief of a society or individuals that groups of people with unique characteristics put them in a higher or lower position concerning others. Racism towards other people can manifest itself openly and show undisguised hostility towards people with different skin colors. However, this belief can manifest itself secretly, in which a biased opinion is formed in society against people who are different from them.
Even though racial segregation was abolished in the 20th century, black people feel disadvantaged and pressured. In society, there are many stereotypes and prejudices against people with different skin colors. One of the prominent examples of infringement is the stereotype that people of color are more likely to steal and are lazier. Thus, when applying for a job, such a person may be refused, despite his experience and qualifications in the desired field. Directors and managers may turn down such a candidate because they are convinced that he will not do his job correctly and fear theft.
Moreover, one of the crucial examples of the manifestation of stereotypes is the opinion of society that black people are a marginal stratum of society and are not capable of studying in higher educational institutions. In this regard, many people question the professional qualifications of black community members. Thus, black people are constantly forced to prove the absence of differences between them and the white population in matters of education and intelligence.
Therefore, the white population has privileges that must be taken into account. In terms of such a dimension as social distance, one can trace the number of claims received by white people. Social distancing widens the gap between races, creating more benefits for some and more problems. Firstly, the number of white-skinned people exceeds representatives of other races; respectively, they feel more protected and needed. Being an integral part of society, a person feels more comfortable in a group than in solitude. Loneliness is a particular emotional state of a person caused by the lack of close positive connections with other people or the fear of losing an existing relationship.
Moreover, social stratification is an essential privilege for other population groups. Distance arises as a necessary condition to maintain the stratification of society. Thus, the black population has less opportunity to achieve higher status and recognition due to social distance. At the same time, the privilege of white heritage lies in the relatively easy achievement of the desired level and position due to the absence of stereotypes and prejudices.
Therefore, society should reduce the gap between whites and gays. However, it is essential to recognize privileges and oppressions at work or school. First of all, this will allow you to understand how great the unearned benefits are and how oppressed people with a different skin color feel (Small & Pager, 2020). In this case, colleagues at work or school will help a person with a different skin tone feel more comfortable. Moreover, recognizing privileges is necessary to correct social values and stereotypes. If people at school or work recognize rights, they can lower them and destroy stereotypes about other people.
Thus, racial segregation still exists on an emotional and societal level. Even though discrimination is punishable by law, black people experience oppression in various areas. Therefore, public policy should be aimed at destroying stereotypes and prejudices. As a result, segregation will be completely broken down, allowing a more comfortable society to be built. At the same time, the black population will receive equal rights and obligations, which will strengthen their social position and social status.
Reference
Small, M. L., & Pager, D. (2020). Sociological perspectives on racial discrimination. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 34(2), 49-67.