A vicious cycle of inequality

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

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The question remains: Is the root of problems in America based on race or class? During the civil rights movement, the huge issue was race. Blacks had little to no rights compared to whites in the 1950s and 1960s. Back then there was such a division between races. The whites despised the blacks because they didn’t look like them and the blacks despised the whites because of the way they treated them. They had separate drinking fountains, separate bathrooms, and even separate restaurants. Social class wasn’t the biggest issue because whites were wealthier than blacks anyways because of how unequal it was. After the civil rights movement and years later, blacks and whites now have the same rights. Blacks now have the right to vote, the right to go and live anywhere they want, the right to have whatever job they want, and even the right to be a President as Barack Obama did.

Nowadays we don’t see as much of a divide in race but rather in social class. Social class is a separation in a society based on economic and social standing. We usually separate people into the upper class, middle class, and lower class meaning the upper class is wealthier and the lower class is poorer. There tends to be unfairness seen in society nowadays based on social class. One example being education. People who are wealthier tend to have higher education than people who are poorer. The New York Time reported “In 1970, the race gap in achievement was more than one and a half times higher than the class gap. Since then, says Stanford University’s Sean Reardon, the class gap has grown by 30 to 40 percent, and become the most potent predictor of school success”. With that being said, today in the 21st century I believe that class has been more of a problem in America than race. We were able to fix the race problem and I sure hope we can fix the class problem.

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/01/28/racial-reparations-and-the-limits-of-economic-policy/class-is-now-a-stronger-predictor-of-well-being-than-race#:~:text=That’s%20a%20big%20change%20from,potent%20predictor%20of%20school%20success.

 
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Race vs Class: The Debate

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

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I believe that class plays a very important role in society. Many people act differently depending on their social class. Class isn’t limited to solely one person’s financial status, but instead how someone holds themselves. Class still plays a massive role in everyday life. For example, some people are allowed to do certain things because of their class. One of the easiest ways to distinguish people between certain classes is based on money. People of the lower class tend to act differently than those of a higher class. I feel like it is somewhat of a stupid concept if you really think about it. Even though I believe it is stupid, we cannot avoid being put into certain social classes. On the other hand, race is something that you are born into and can be easily distinguished by. Sadly, in some areas, certain races have harder times than other races. I believe that both race and class play way too much of an important role in everyday life. When I meet new people I don’t care what race or class they are, instead, I’m more interested in meeting who I am talking with.

Malcolm X believed all of America’s and Africa’s problems were based on class. I would agree with this. People of higher class tend to have more say in decision-making. This leads the lower class to be told what to do. This happens every day almost everywhere around the world. If we did not have social class I think we would live in a completely different world. When comparing class and race there are many differences. A person cannot change their race, but they can work to change their class. I believe Malcolm X’s strategy to change the topic from race to class was good. Instead of trying to battle a debate regarding race, approaching social class allowed African Americans to prove their worth in America.

 
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How Social Status Affects…

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

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I believe history has shown that past government officials time after time set up loopholes for racial inequality. In the 1800s when states were in between being slave states or not, the states that decided not to make laws still shows actions of racism. Free black people pushed for voting rights within the state that they were owed. But, government officials took advantage of their power to create laws such as only allowing men with land or no criminal records the right to vote. Even though they didn’t directly pass laws labeled “Black men can’t vote”, at the time at least, they knew that free black men didn’t have enough money to own land, and they were unable to attain jobs that would grant them high pay. In addition to that, many black men were arrested for petty crimes. The government officials made it impossible for black men to have power. 

In the present day, inequality is present in early childhood opportunities that can pave the road to success. Schooling in low-income communities, communities mainly made up of people of color, offer poor quality education in comparison to schools in high-income areas. 

The article, An End to the Class vs. Race Debate, by Ralph Richard Banks stresses the idea of “ racial disparities in social mobility is economic inequalities in disguise”. The article goes on to explain the economic outcomes of black people in these communities, comparing boys and girls, then comparing them to white people in high-income communities. Putting into perspective the challenges of socio-economics. 

From the 1800s to now, the social status of an individual made up a lot in paving the path for an individual. I do not believe that the communities or families an individual is born into solely determine their future but being born into a community with low-income status bring in many more obstacles to fight through than being born into a community that works in your favor. 

Article link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/21/opinion/class-race-social-mobility.html

 

 

Is It Class or Race?

Engl 165-04 Fall '22, Engl 165-16 Fall '22

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Is the divide between white Americans and African Americans based on class, or race? Lower, middle, and high-income families determine someone’s class. Back then the divide was based on class. Africans being brought over to America to be used as slaves instilled that they were nothing more than objects. This caused a class divide between slaves and white people. This class divide was brought upon African Americans because of slavery. African Americans were put at a disadvantage from the start in America. They had harder upbringings because their access to education and simple human rights were limited. How is someone supposed to fight for their rights when they have no say? African Americans were put at a financial disadvantage during slavery and even after. They were forced into slavery and had no way of making money. Even after African Americans were free, they were still being underpaid. White people took advantage of the idea of slavery and forced African Americans into it without them having any say. 

In today’s time the issue is more about race. African Americans have rights now and they have a say in who, or what they want to do. Everyone in today’s time can see an African American and realize that they are their own person, and they are entitled to their own opinions. African Americans are still fighting today for equality. The race issue begins with discrimination and how African Americans still face racism. People can recognize African Americans as individuals, but that does not stop racism unfortunately. African Americans still face disparities in America as well. They face healthcare disparities, as well as financial disparities. African Americans are still put at a disadvantage, which is why there are still BLM protest and movements. African Americans face more of a race issue now, rather than a class.

“Race vs. Social Class Essay.” Bartleby, https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Race-vs-Social-Class-F3WSESYTJ#:~:text=THESIS%3A%20Race%20differences%20in%20identity%20and%20social%20position,of%20social%20division%20and%20stratification%20in%20North%20America.%22.

 

 

Is It about Race or Class or Both?

Engl 165-04 Fall '22

In this week’s reading, Malcom X suggested to Lewis and Lewis’s close friend Don Harris that they should shift the conversation in America from one of race to one of class, both among African Americans and between whites and blacks. Malcom X believed the root of the problems in both Africa and America was class based more than race.

In this week’s post, reflect on that position. Do you think the issues both then and now are more about class than race? Why would class cause such a division? Is it still causing divisions today? How do you feel about class? Do a bit of research and see where you land on the question of race vs class.

 

White Robes: Where Is the KKK Today?

Engl 165-04 Fall '22

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The KKK appears frequently in March, serving as the primary reason and support behind the violent crimes committed against and during the Civil Rights movement. One would think that the Ku Klux Klan faced a decline after society embraced the results of the Civil Rights movement. However, the KKK is still active in certain areas today.

Following an article by Megan Trimble of U.S. News, it became apparently while researching that the Klan, indeed, is still active in areas of our nation today. However, the KKK group responsible for the violent crimes of the Civil Rights movement isn’t the main one active. The majority of the KKK groups still active in today’s society actually formed in the late 2010’s, with a sharp increase of membership in 2017. 44 (or so) groups remain active in over 22 states, including 2 in Virginia, according to U.S. News. Donald Trump “mentioned the movement by name” following a white nationalist rally that made headlines in Charlottesville, Virginia, which many of you may remember.

In today’s society, the KKK’s actions differs greatly than those of their initial movements and protests in the early 1900’s. While their violent crimes in the early 1900’s led to deaths, lynching, and mass murders, this was accepted (to some extent) by society at the time. Because of this, actions taken against them often led to actions being taken against the protesters. This led to the collaboration of many of the state policemen, who often supported and followed the KKK’s ‘works’. Those who tried to take action often found themselves in a war they couldn’t win, and often faced death. Although, this was was eventually found victory through the Civil Rights movement. In today’s society, the KKK’s violent crimes doesn’t follow the moral guidelines of today’s society, and often faces backlash, which would inevitably protect society from their cruel and brutal actions they once took part in. While occasional, smaller crimes still happen around the nation, the general meetings of the KKK were moved to just a small rally.

In their most recent activities, the KKK has gathered for small rallies in protest, even going as far as to interrupt LGBTQ parades with their protests. However, today’s society has changed to filter out and identify this other-worldly hate that was once accepted before the Civil Rights movement. This eventuate change to society not only bettered America as a whole, but bettered future generations of children, who grow up in today’s society seeing racism as a hate only the cruelest of people bare.

 

Sources:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2017-08-14/the-kkk-is-still-based-in-22-states-in-the-us-in-2017

The History of the KKK in American Politics

 
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Bigots and Patriotism

Engl 165-04 Fall '22

The ku klux klan today is not as much the heavy hitters they used to be, in the particular article Im reading the organization is far removed from their pre-existing group. The original ku klux klan disbanded when its supposed purposed was done and the current organization that resides under that name is uses the name but is not in anyway connected to the one before in the article it states that “This theft was designed to advertise the upstart organization; in this it has been successful. Among Southerners a romantic tradition of patriotism and terrible justice hallows the memory of the old Klan” with this excerpt from the article it helps show the differences of the two organizations despite sharing of the name. Basically the new group is profiting off of the old organization. 

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1922/07/the-modern-ku-klux-klan/537081/   

From another article it says that the Ku Klux Klan has been getting involved in demonstrations of violence, admitting new members and burning swastikas and the cross.  The KKK is now solely made and focused for bigots and racist white people along with some white-passing people  who still believe that the difference in the amount of melanin their skin produces somehow makes them superior to others. Unfortunately the KKK is involved with another problematic group that also uses the clout of their previous owners of the name to piggy-back as well. The organization is called the neo-nazis; neo meaning new. This organizations primary focus is the same as the KKK to a slightly different degree, the want Adolf hitlers regimes back and to have Aryans as proclaimed as the purest race. 

To top it all of the article states that they have joined forces and now are in cahoots together hence the nazi salute and swastika being added to some of the KKK rallies. I think both of the groups just like attention and the idea of people being scared thought they have no real power other than spreading these days is look “intimidating”/ Dumb on the news and internet. It only saddens me because these people spread these hateful ideologies to their children and those who are seeking community and belonging and end up in the wrong place out of wanting to belong. 

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-kkk-today/3/

 

 

Now & Then

Engl 165-04 Fall '22

The Ku Klux Klan in history and today

https://www.magnumphotos.com/newsroom/the-modern-ku-klux-klan/

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2017-08-14/the-kkk-is-still-based-in-22-states-in-the-us-in-2017

Today, the KKK has reached the largest number of organizations in its history since being founded. In 2015 there were 190 organizations with between 8,000-10,000 per organization. Apparently, though there are the most organizations they’ve had, the number of members in each organization is “small and marginal with little political or social influence.” In three years leading up to 2017, half of the newest klan members joined. forty-two separate klan organizations were active in twenty-two different states in 2017. regarding their most recent activities, the KKK just holds small rallies and protests in parks, courthouses, and at LGBTQA+ pride marches. As well as promised marches that fail to occur. They continue their cross-lighting, burning rituals. Late president Trump called the KKK out in a speech of his saying “Racism is evil, and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans.” The KKK definitely held a lot more “power” and fear over African, Jewish, and Hispanic Americans back in the civil rights moment era than they do present day. The Ku Klux Klan Act was designed to eliminate extralegal violence and protest the civil and political rights of four million freed slaves.

I genuinely find it disturbing and disgusting that the KKK is still active in many states and has yet to be eradicated. Whether they pose as a giant threat or not, just knowing about their history should be enough for the entire organization and practice to be illegal. I really thought they had burnt out, basically completely. I’m more shocked that there hasn’t been more done to mitigate the entire organization altogether. I believe more acts and bills need to be enforced to completely wipe out the KKK and its history.

 

The Klan Still Exists

Engl 165-04 Fall '22

Today the Klu Klux Klan is still around. The members are not as open and active as they were back then but that does not mean that they are all gone. I feel that Klu members will be around as long as racism is around and as long as there is someone to teach the ways of the Klan. Klan members today may not stroll up and down the street in their white hoods with weapons but that does not mean that the world of free from them. Many say that the Klan was fueled by the election of Donald Trump. There are said to be around 8,000 members still around today. Isn’t that crazy? There was a rally in 2017 where many members of the KKK along with neo-Nazis and white nationalists attacked a group of protestors.

The members now do not compare to the members back then because their actions today are much more on the “legal” side. Their actions today are more towards protesting and speaking their minds rather than killing people just because they can. Klu members back then were much more violent and did not care who got in their way because they were going to do what they wanted anyway. I am not going to say that I am happy with how the Klan members act today but I am happy that they are less violent. There are many instances where people act like KKK members as a joke or because they think it will get them views on social media.

 
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the threat of the modern KKK

Engl 165-04 Fall '22

One of the biggest differences I have found is how the organization is shaped. Instead of being one really big organization, it’s more local groups. Bob Jones said that if they were actually concerned about the violence committed by Klan members their greatest fear should be that he would disband the KKK leaving individual members to commit mayhem free from the structure imposed by the group. I can kinda get that because if you have one big group they’re easier to keep an eye on where individuals or small groups can fly under the radar. It’s estimated that there are 190 active KKK groups and around 5,000 to 8,000 members active in the united states. Which is better than the past because at 1 point there were about 4 million members. However, it’s still an increase from 1973 when the number of members was 1,500.
From what I’ve read it seems that most KKK activities are marches and rallies. Often with other hate groups. However, they may be worse in the future. In the past, the Klan has had waves where they have “peak influence” I think with the horrible divide in today’s country and how the media creates more of it there may be more people who join the Klan. in fact, a branch in a town started putting flyers on windshields and gained about 1000 inquiries.
So is the Klan still a bigger threat nowadays? I would say with the lack of members and lack of political and social influence that they are no longer as big of a threat. I do believe that they’re still a threat but I think lesser-known organizations I think are more of a threat because since they aren’t super established they aren’t really being observed by the FBI or police forces.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/klansville-faq/
https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-kkk-today/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CTG58jIlNA