Systemic racism is a constantly moving target
“The United States has the remarkable ability to reconstitute old oppressions from the ashes of social movements.” — Tressie McMillan Cottom, Politico
<
(4 of 4)
Context
Following the death of George Floyd, protesters around the world demonstrated their intolerance for police brutality and system racism. A major caveat is that systemic racism is a constantly moving and evolving target.
The Argument
Racism pervades every aspect of daily life, including (but not limited to) schools, workplaces, public facilities, law enforcement agencies, and the justice department. People in power have built the societal system upon racist tendencies for generations. As a result, the issue of systemic racism is so complex that it seems like a constantly moving and evolving target. [1]
The #BLM protests around the world have raised many peoples' awareness of systemic racism. The demonstrations succeeded in short term change, such as banning harmful riot weapons on protesters,[2] and long term change such as banning no-knock warrants with "Breonna's Law." [3]Yet these protests will never create lasting change, as systemic racism has taken over society to the point that it is irreversible. Slavery led to segregation; segregation led to discrimination; discrimination led to mass incarceration; mass incarceration led to criminal profiling; all of it is systemic racism in various disguises. Systemic racism will only continue to evolve—possibly in lesser degrees—in our society. [4]
Counter arguments
Others may contend that society could work together to dismantle systemic racism to create lasting change. Laws against discrimination in schools, workplaces, the police system, and the legislative system could help eliminate racist tendencies. In addition, leaders of the movement have established a clear set of goals called Campain Zero dedicated to abolishing the plague of systemic racism. [5]
Proponents
Premises
Rejecting the premises
Further Reading
"Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America" by Ibram X. Kendi
"The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
References
- https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2016/systemic-racism-is-real
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/well-never-fix-systemic-racism-by-being-polite/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/us/breonna-taylor-law-passed.html
- https://newjimcrow.com/
- https://www.parlia.com/a/clear-set-proposals-defeat-systemic-racism