Ethical Policy to Moderate Institutional Racism


 


            Race, culture, heritage and origin are among the moral issues still being tackled and emphasized in the contemporary American society. Despite the laws and rules regarding the issue of discrimination, it still remains to be the primary dilemma or problem of ethnic minorities in the United States. Such dilemmas are in relevance to institutional racism and affirmative action of the government, which instead of giving the ethnic minorities in the United States a sense of freedom and equality provides them with further issues in relation to employment, individual rights and education. There is much debate about dealing with the lingering effects of past racial discrimination, which is related to the use of affirmative action as an answer to past cases of discrimination (). With this issue, this paper will give an argument of the flaws of affirmative action as a remedy for institutional racism, in accordance to specific cases and government acts and propositions.


             It has been reported that institutional racism or systematic racism is a theoretical form of racism, which happens in private or public institutions including public bodies, corporations and academic institutions (Institutional Racism). In addition, it can also be defined as “the collective failure of any organization to provide an appropriate and professional service to individuals due to their color, culture or ethnic origin” (Institutional Racism). With this important social issue, it can be understood that because of institutional racism, many individuals are not given the proper opportunity to avail and enjoy their rights as rightful individuals in the American society. Given the many communication and technological advances and development in the society of the United States, the occurrence and chances of encountering a variety of individuals has a higher rate. Due also to the concept of globalization and internationalization, many individuals belonging to different countries desire to pursue their education and employment in First World nations, such as the United States, to become successful. However, despite the concepts of globalization and internationalization, the rate of discrimination is still high in the American society, especially in terms of education, employment and equality. Because of this, it can be argued that instead of focusing on the implementation of affirmative action as a solution to institutional racism and discrimination, instead, education and open-mindedness must be promoted and encouraged in academic systems and in the homes of Americans to be able to alter the practice of ethnocentrism and inequality among individuals in the society. With the practice of cultural relativism in the homes and academic systems of the United States, it would somehow help the society, especially the minority groups to overcome discrimination and racism, with the support of not only the government, but the entire society as well.


            In relation to institutional racism and discrimination, the solution being given by the American government was the affirmative action, which is a complex policy, designed to end discrimination in hiring, college admissions, and the awarding of contracts (). It was initially conceived as a temporary measure to compensate for the years of slavery and it was hoped that it would lead to equal opportunity for all, thus, it serves to increase equity and opportunity to permit race and gender to become a factor in hiring, contracting, admissions, and financial aid (qtd. in Stein). Moreover, it justified using unequal means to achieve greater equality among diverse groups of people, which would contribute to the “public welfare because it reduces poverty and inequalities” (). However, although affirmative action is a plausible answer for discrimination, it still practices inequality and injustice, thus, removing the rights of many individuals in the society. A related example of institutional racism occurred in 1935, when the United States Congress passed the Social Security Act, which guaranteed an income for millions of workers after retirement, but excluding domestic and agricultural workers (Institutional Racism). These workers were Mexican-American, African-American and Asian-American, who were not guaranteed an income after retirement and had fewer chances to save, accumulate and pass wealth on to their future generations (Institutional Racism). With this problem relative to poverty, affirmative action is not a solution because it does not challenge the roots of inequality, and redistributive measures such as affirmative action are only a compromise with and concession from the caretakers of American prosperity (). From this, it can be seen that the implementation of affirmative action cannot answer the problems of ethnic minorities regarding poverty, unless the U.S. government will decide to discriminate whites in relation to providing them with employment and properties. With this, it can be seen that the problem regarding discrimination is still not addressed.


            A specific example of an attack to the implementation of affirmative action occurred in 1976 when Allan Bakke sued the University of California Medial School at Davis for denying him admission in favor of Black candidates who he alleged were less qualified academically ( ). He argued that this violated his Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection, thus, this was reverse racism, where white men were being discriminated against and minorities were given preferential treatment (). In relation to this, in July 1995, the National Conference of State Legislatures counted at least ten other states in the process of introducing legislation or organizing ballot measures to ban “preferential treatment” based on race, color, ethnicity, gender, or sexual preference (), thus weakening the implementation of affirmative action. With this specific example, it can be understood that because of such a flaw, affirmative action would not be as effective in addressing the problems of discrimination, as thought of. The use of such an action worsens the situation regarding discrimination, and limits the opportunities of not only the individuals belonging to ethnic minorities, but of other individuals, such as the whites.


            In addressing such issues regarding institutional racism and discrimination, it must be argued that the issue that must be emphasized here is the ethnocentrism of many individuals living the society of the United States. Ethnocentrism is the view of many White Americans that their culture, race and color are superior to other cultures. If this mentality will be primarily addressed through appropriate education and practice, such as in their homes and in academic institutions, then the problems regarding discrimination would not be as worse as today. Because ever since, the mentality of ethnocentrism has been instilled in the systems of many Americans, it would be difficult now to erase such a mentality in the contemporary society. However, if cultural relativism would be instilled and reinforced to the individuals of today, then somehow, more people will become open-minded in tackling the issues of racism and discrimination of society. If cultural relativism would be given emphasis, many individuals would have the mentality of giving an equal chance and opportunity to others, thus, becoming more open to different cultures and races in the American society. Therefore, the problem regarding discrimination may become dependent on the practices, education and mentality of many individuals in the society, thus, not anymore needing the implementation of affirmative action.


            In addition, because affirmative action contributes more to the discrimination and inequality in the American society, its implementation would be make it more difficult for many to accept unjust decisions, especially in terms of education and employment, which are the most important aspects of living. If its use will be reduced, and the education and correction of ethnocentrism mentality would be given more emphasis, then more individuals would be able to benefit and enjoy the opportunities given to them. Lessening the use of affirmative action would also reduce conflicts in relation to race and color, thus, encouraging and promoting effective cultural interrelations among races, cultures and colors in the American society, thus, reducing discrimination and inequality. Moreover, encouraging emphasis on cultural relativism would make the society more conducive to living of different cultures, thus, promoting growth of many.



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