Racism: Does it Still Exist?

Racism: Does it still exist?

Don Albrecht et.al (2005). Minority Concentration, Disadvantage, and Inequality in the Nonmetropolitan United States. Midwest Sociological Quarterly, 46:503

The writer portrays racism as a product of the clash of classes within the society. He takes the Marxist perspective on the issue of racism. He depicts the view of conflict theory by Karl Marx views the elites as continually suppressing the poor. The society is engaged in a series of conflicts and disagreements, tension and clashes. He says this tension is evident in the relationships between the majority group and the minority. This then solicits the protective response where the minority groups will do anything, including marrying among themselves to protect the race and their own population. Ironically, as Don Albrecht indicates, as the minority increases in population so shall they suffer more discrimination from the majority. This may perpetuate the cosmic cycle that may never ends as the minority continues to marry among themselves in a bid to overcome racism and discrimination. The source also indicates that this is a trend in the U.S.A. that is fast picking up.

Maurianne Adams (2000). Readings for Diversity and Social Justice. New York: Routledge. (p417). http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=_7oq23wsASgC&pg=PR4&lpg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false

The notion of the minority being the subjugated socially, economically and academically has been the notion that carried the day and is clearly depicted in this source. It is the overriding feeling and assumption in the American society where there is a general discontent in the system due to the imbalance in the social and economic sectors. The minority groups are generally known to contribute less to the American economy in relation to the majority population. This is widely true and has been propagated and maintained by the fact that the means of production and the resources have, from the historical time, been controlled by the majority white population as shown by Maurianne Adams. This source acts to further emphasize the fact that racism is still alive in the U.S.A. And other parts of the world, manifesting itself in such subtle manner like in the employment structures, remuneration diversity and control of the economic resources.

Nurse Together, (2011). Cultural Competence in Nursing. http://www.nursetogether.com/Career/Career-Article/itemid/1422/Cultural-Competence-in-Nursing.aspx

This source highlights the major barriers to achieving the cultural competence within the nursing fraternity which include discrimination, stereotyping, prejudice and racism. It highlights how in some instances the caregiver may portray insensitivity to the cultural differences even without their knowledge or a prior intention to offend because of what the society has made them imbibe. This is a clear indication that racism still exists within the U.S.A. There are simple gestures that may help a long way like addressing patients by their last name, asking them how they prefer to be addressed, showing respect for the clients support group, understanding where men and women fit in the society from which the client comes and of greater significance is gaining client's trust, and these can go a long way in trying to tame the racism that exists within this profession.

National Council of La Raza, (2005). Critical Disparities in Latino Mental Health: Transforming Research into Action. http://depressionisreal.org/pdfs/file_WP_Latino_Mental_Health_FNL.pdf

The National Council of La Raza further indicates how racism manifests itself within the healthcare sector. It shows the minority groups in the U.S.A. As subject to varied health conditions that make them more susceptible to health complications than the majority white population. One prominent instance is the Latinos, due to their predominant low economic status are shown to have less access to health facilities and services hence hampering their ability to access other social facilities like education. It has been noted that they only interact with the health care facilities when they are critically ill and in their most vulnerable state. The other issue that the source highlights to grossly affect the Latinos is the lack of insurance among the population. This makes them unable to access health care services and receiving quality health care. It estimates that two in five (40%) Latino adults aged 19 to 64 were uninsured in 2000, compared to 14% of Whites and 25% of African-Americans, giving a racism trend that is systematic yet can hardly be detected.

Mandeep Baath et.al, (2011). Health Disparities among the Asian Pacific Islander

Subgroups in Santa Clara County. http://www.sccgov.org/sites/sccphd/en-us/Partners/Data/Documents/Asian%20subgroups%20poster%20combined%20final.pdf