By Roman Namdar and Julia Kurek

 When the basis of discrimination is someone’s perception of race, it is known as racism.  Discrimination is an action-unfair treatment directed against someone.  Discrimination is often the result of an attitude called prejudice-a pre-judging of some sort, usually in a negative way.

 Hatred of one person by another  Belief that another person is less than human because of skin color, language, customs, place of birth, etc.

African Americans  In early history, African Americans were used as slaves because they were thought to be of a lesser status.  After slavery was abolished, the southern states passed legislation to segregate blacks and whites.  In the early 1900’s, African Americans faced very harsh discrimination because of their race. Groups like the KKK were apparent during this time.  The need for a civil rights movement was essential in order to lessen the racism within the society.

Asian Americans  From their first arrival in the United States, Asian Americans confronted discrimination.  When immigrants from Japan arrived, they encountered spillover bigotry, a stereotype that lumped Asians together, depicting them as sneaky, lazy, and untrustworthy.  After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, conditions grew worse for the 110,000 Japanese Americans that called the United States their home.

Native Americans  Acts of cruelty perpetrated by the Europeans against Native Americans, during the early settlements, appeared endless.  In the winter of , the U.S. army rounded up 15,000 Cherokees and forced them to walk a thousand miles from the Carolinas and Georgia to Oklahoma. This incident was known as the Trail of Tears.  Years later, the U.S. government had begun a policy called Indian Removal, forcefully confining Native Americans to reservations.

 Racism has not gone away completely and it most likely never will.  Today, racism is more subtle than it use to be, but it still walks among us.

 Racism can and should be limited if it cannot be completely erased.  As a society, we should keep an open mind.  Try to avoid stereotypes and negativity towards different cultures, people, and races.  Branch out and make an effort to experience new ideas and cultures.

Henslin M., James. (2009). Essentials of Sociology: A-Down-To-Earth Approach. New York. Allyn and Bacon. Peacock, Thomas. (2010). Tribal College Journal: I Share A Dream. 23 (1), 14-18