1. Race Relations in the United States
Race Relations in the United StatesOpinions about the state of race relations in the United
StatesThe USA has always had a distinct identity as a land where civil liberties and
freedoms are respect to include individual rights. In fact, the nation’s long history includes a
bloody past as a pioneer in advancing race relations. To take an example, the Civil War had
some racial justice undercurrents that pitted the Northern States that sought to emancipate
all slaves in America against the Southern States that sought to continue keeping slaves.
Over its long distinguished history, the nation has had many individuals, such as Malcolm X,
Martin Luther King, and Rosa Parks who sacrificed a lot to see African American enjoy the
same liberties as other Americans. To take another example, Barack Obama was elected as
the first African American president of the USA, serving for two terms. Obama’s presidency
was an indication that had surpassed the racial divide. Race Relations in the United
StatesORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HEREHowever, recent events have overturned
the perception of America as a land that respects civil liberties and freedoms. Even at a time
when the whole nation is ravaged by the health and financial effects of Covid-19 virus,
reports still abound of African Americans and other ethnic minority groups facing
discrimination. Police violence has become a common new headline with Blacks suffering
the brunt of these injustices. Case in point, George Floyd of Minneapolis was pinned down
despite not resisting and ended up dying. Video clips and eye witness accounts reveal that
he complained about being unable to breath but the policy ignored him. The police officers
who were involved in the case were initially suspended, a light punishment given the
gravity of the event in which an American man with a wife and child died in preventable
circumstances. A public outcry caused the suspension to be turned into a firing with the
disgraced police officers facing prosecution, although the charges against them are for
minimal offences. Mr. Floyd’s case is just one of the many instances in which White police
officers have unnecessarily used violent and deadly force against African Americans.Race
Relations in the United StatesRacially motivated incidences instigated by the police are just
some of the examples of a systemically deteriorating race relations in the United States. To
be more precise, there has been no tangible accountability. President Trump has largely
ignored these cases and was recently quoted as stating that armed forces should be used
against civil rights protesters and even went on to designate some of their organizations as
terrorist movements. Other than the president, the US Justice Department has refused to
accept responsibility for bungling some of the racially motivated civil rights cases, and have
typically ignored the issue or shifted blame. It is not uncommon for perpetrators of racial
2. crimes to either go scot free without punishment or receive light punishments even when
victims end up dying. The buck must stop somewhere and there is a need for people to take
responsibility. President Trump should lead by example in strongly castigating the
perpetrators while the US Justice Department should take responsibility in ensuring that all
perpetrators are punished to deter other perpetrators.The fact is that racial relations in
America are at a very low point. There is a need for urgent action to ensure that civil
liberties and individual freedoms are respected for all Americans. The American public and
government institutions must take responsibility for permitting racial bias, and undertake
action to ensure racial equality. Unless this is done, racial relations in the USA will continue
to deteriorate. Race Relations in the United States
