1. The Effects of Racism In
Our Political Systems
By Kathia Sanchez
2. Index/The Big Questions
Is racism still a problem in our government structures?
How does this affect the everyday American?
Is our President’s credibility and decision making being questioned by his race?
3. Eminent Racism in Our Political Structures
- The Tea Party emerged right after our first “foreign” and “exotic” president was
elected
- Our Senate is composed by mainly white men that are over 50
- Republican driven talk shows often stereotype candidates that belong in race
minorities
4. The Tea Party
The Tea Party emerged a little before Obama was elected as the president of the
United States. Their main target has been to keep America as conservative as
possible, thus shutting down most of Obama's proposals that would benefit
minorities, and his proposals over all. They have been targeting policies that he has
gotten approved such as Obama care, which have actually been very convenient
given that Americans have been calling the 911 and getting sick more often than
ever. Now these people do not have to worry about their medical issues, because
these are being paid for even if they cannot pay for a private insurance.
(http://bit.ly/2iud9BD)
5. Effects On Our Daily Lives
- Our government officials have been making racist and stereotypical
statements, therefore the lower officials such as cops adjust everyday
Americans start to think that this is normal.
- Minorities start having higher crime rates and higher incarceration rates
- Americans believe everything they see on TV, so their votes turn based on bias
information
7. Media
Radio talk shows that are influenced by right wing ideals such as Fox News and numerous radio talk
shows, provide their news from a racist platform, sometimes even describing the president as a black
man-child. These radio talk shows that lean towards Tea Party policies shame the President's ideas and
improvements solely based on his race, because they are not used to or willing to accept that a colored
person has brought about so much great change to our country.
8. Our President Being Judged Based On Race
Most of our current President's ideas are turned down by senators and chairman that would have approved if the color of his
skin was different. The Tea Party often sets back President Obama's ideas and targets him individually mostly because of his
race. These political parties have denied support to some of Obama’s ideas, mainly because he is “different” therefore they
expect more from him. This type of thought process is absurd and should be taken in with more thought like said by the
political blogger Timothy Egan,
“It’s amazing to me that so many, including Mindy, will use that race card on people who so strongly support people like Dr. Ben
Carson, Herman Cain, Mia Love, and a HUGE list I could go on with. Kind of negates that “race” issue to me. Maybe their thought
process should continue on a bit farther.”
9. On the Other Hand
As recently, as of December 1st, supporting the new president elect Donald Trump and his policies
according to the Washington Post. Donald Trump has been in fact called out many times for stereotyping
candidates, Americans, and his fellow Republican officers. The new President-elect has made racist
comments and remarks even about the candidates running in the same political party as him, their families,
and cultures in a very dehumanizing way.
10. The most important man in our government is also
affected by the racism being projected by our
political system, this alone should set our nation to
demand change.
11. Work Cited
- Cesca, Bob. "The Tea Party Is All About Race." Huffington Post. 2010. Rpt. in The Tea
Party Movement. Ed. Debra A. Miller. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Current
Controversies. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 13 Oct. 2016.
- Douglass, Frederick. “Too Much Religion, Too Little Humanity.” The National Anti-Slavery
Standard. 24 May, 1849.
- Williams, Noel S. "The Tea Party Is Not Racist." The Republican Party. Ed. Noah Berlatsky.
Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2015. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "The
Tea Party Is Colorblind."