In a country like the United States, where discrimination based on race is supposedly illegal, one would expect discrimination to not be an issue. Unfortunately this is not the case, recently, AIG, a multinational insurance corporation, has settled a law suit alleging discrimination regarding fees paid to AIG. AIG has agreed to pay six million dollars in damages for charging African-Americans higher rates than their equivalent white counterparts (Brush). Discrimination of this, and other kinds, is not uncommon. Social networking sites have created a new avenue to spread hate, and the news is filled with hate related crimes. Such stories could be a part of the past if the right government programs are adopted. Education would need to be revamped to allow students to question racial barriers, government programs to allow for the advancement of groups who are traditionally discriminated against, and laws protecting those who could become victims of prejudice.
Education has the power to shape young minds. The United States Department of Education has massive control over what children are exposed to in the public school system and in higher education. By adopting more equitable policies aimed at reducing prejudice, such as anti-bullying policies and requiring students to take classes aimed at reducing prejudice, raising awareness, and appreciating the diversity that surrounds us all. Non-profit organizations such as Teaching for Change, attempts to "build social justice starting in the classroom." Organizations such as Teaching for Change strive to bring down prejudicial barriers that prevent minorities from succeeding and attempt to dissolve the uptake of prejudicial ideas through their bookstore which sells books with a "social justice theme."
The government has an immense amount of power to control how people behave. With such power, the government is in a unique position to affect positive change within society. According to Affirmative Action Review, Report To The President (1995), affirmative action policies have moderately increased the amount of contracts given to groups that employ according to affirmative action policies. Affirmative action policies require employers to hire minorities over members of the dominant group if the minority group member's credentials are comparable to those of the majority group member. Such policies can help close the gap in women's earning to men's, according to Dr. Clyburn of West Chester University, women earn around 75 percent of what men do for the same work and credentials. Enacting policies such as these can allow for positive change within minority populations, people with steady jobs have more pride and are less likely to resort to deviant activity such as crime or drug abuse.
The justice system can also help affect positive change within communities. By enforcing laws that are already on the books concerning defamation, prejudice, and racism, the government can curb those who are resistant to losing some of their power and wealth in society. In order to achieve equality the government must do its part, by not imposing harsh punishments for those violating such laws, the government is in effect endorsing the actions of the perpetrator(s). The other side of government enforcement is to enact new laws protecting other minority groups not currently protected such as homosexuals. Currently, in many states, homosexuals can be fired from a job, including the military, just for being homosexual. In some cases these people are not even open about their lifestyle, but someone else tips off the employer, causing the employee to be fired.
Prejudice and discrimination are not extinct by any stretch of the imagination in this day and age. Even though it has slowly gotten better since the days of slavery and lynching, or public murder, prejudice, discrimination, and outright racism are still a problem in society today. It will take a coordinated effort to equalize our society so people are not less fortunate just because of their race or lifestyle. As Bill Clinton so eloquently put it not too long ago, "African-Americans watch the same news at night that ordinary Americans do."
Referrences (MLA STYLE)
Affirmative Action Review: Report to the President, Clinton White House Staff Chapter 3, July 19, 1995
http://www.policyalmanac.org/culture/arc...al.shtml
Brush, Silla. "AIG subsidiaries pay $6 million in racial discrimination
settlement." Hill 04 Mar. 2010: n. pag. Web. 27 Mar 2010.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-r...Plous, S. (2003). The psychology of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination: An
overview. In S. Plous (Ed.), Understanding Prejudice and Discrimination (pp. 3-48). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Teaching For Change
http://www.teachingforchange.org/publica...