The size of the black middle class has increased considerably, and research reveals that there is a steady improvement in the attitudes of whites. And yet negative racial stereotypes continue to cause subtle discrimination which influences how people view and treat each other. It is thought that almost two-thirds of the U.S. population growth over the next 50 years will come from immigrant families which will make race and color once again come to the forefront of public policy (Building One Nation, n.d.).
For a majority of low-income blacks living in conditions of concentrated poverty, and for impoverished members of other minority groups, barriers to full inclusion in American society remain high. In remote communities of concentrated poverty, these individuals often lack access to education and job training opportunities and to networks of social mobility and the support that is necessary in order to advance. Examples of systematic hiring discrimination and problems in the area of job promotion continue to be seen. African-Americans remain poorly connected to essential networks that white Americans take for granted. So long as discrimination persists, affirmative action programs, properly structured, will remain necessary (Building One Nation, n.d.).
Having quality education that is available to all students, is vital to providing every American with the skills needed to work effectively. Public schools often play a central role in teaching common civic values, fostering tolerance, respect, and appreciation for diversity. The nation must begin to forcefully address the serious inadequacies in public schools, especially those in urban areas. Money if used properly can have a significant impact. Yet disparities continue in annual per pupil expenditure between the poorest and the wealthiest school districts (Building One Nation, n.d.).
Members of minority groups are often entangled in the...
It is not always clear whether this is a sign of differential offending or selective law enforcement. While minority groups are disproportionately crime victims, they feel strongly that discrimination is common throughout the criminal justice system. It is very important to have sound relationships so that negative stereotypes can be overcome. Communities are beginning to create new coalitional models that are founded on concepts of equality and mutual respect, overcoming separateness by engaging on issues of local concern, working in the spirit not of charity but of justice (Building One Nation, n.d.).
Due to the fact that African-Americans face the problems that they do their representation tends to have great influence on public policy and public debate. It is important that the problems that these people face be discussed so that public policy can be changed in order to help eliminate the challenges that African-Americans face every day of their lives. As a nation we need to come together to overcome the problems that face those who live here.
Although African-Americans have come a long way there is still a lot that needs to be done before one can say that all people are truly equal in this country. There are things to that need to be accomplished in the areas of employment, education, housing and discrimination so that this group of people can finally say that they are treated as equals with everyone else.
References
Building One Nation. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2009, from JCPA Web site:
http://www.jewishpublicaffairs.org/publications/building_one_nation.html
Morris, Frank and Gimpel, James G. (2007). Retrieved December 19, 2009, from Center for Immigration Studies Web site: http://www.cis.org/articles/2007/back207.html
