Racism Lives On

Racism in the United States between World War I through the 1960’s was common. African-Americans had voting and desegregation rights, but these rights were unfairly used especially in the South. Even though slavery ending in President Lincoln’s term, African-Americans were still brutally punished by racist White Americans. In addition, some Americans helped one another when they wrongly treated African-Americans.

In the southern half of the United States voting-rights were given to African-Americans, however they were rarely able to use it. This was because the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) threatened them through lynching. In 1965 in Mississippi 6% of the total African-American population was voting. This reveals how powerful the KKK was. Ignorant African-Americans still aren’t voting, but for another reason. They believe that their vote didn’t count. This idea is completely false and is foolish. In addition, segregation in schools stopped because of the trial Brown vs. Board of Education. In Mississippi in 1964 0% of schools were desegregated. However, prestigious schools such as Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, MIT are predominately populated by White Americans. Unfortunately, African-Americans who are qualified to get into those don’t get in and the less qualified white American does get in.

Despite slavery being over many African-Americans were still physically abused by White Americans. In 1960 some African-Americans arranged a sit-in which included some White Americans. Sadly, food and drinks were poured on the African-Americans but not the White-Americans. The group known as the KKK was a prime example of physical abuse. They lynched thousands of African-Americans. In 1916 White Americans burned Jesse Washington. The next day some White observers of the tragedy snickered and laughed at what happened. Another example of this was the lynching of Emmett Till. The murderers still haven’t gone to trial for the death.

In 1919 a Chicago police officer named Daniel Callahan refused to arrest a white man named George Stuber who killed a 13-year-old black boy named Eugene Williams. A mob of 50 men chased Callahan until he was able to call for back up to help him. This was unjust, because Callahan knew Stuber had killed Williams, but didn’t do anything about it. If Williams had killed Stuber then Callahan might have either arrested Williams or killed Williams himself, because he’s a racist. Some White Americans are cognizant of interaction between White Americans and African-Americans. Especially African-American men and white women. An example of this was the situation with Emmett Till. He supposedly whistled at a White and his punishment was death. That proved this idea of White Americans being cognizant of African-Americans.

Racism in the United States was still common even after slavery. Presently voting-rights and desegregation isn’t a problem. Wrongful treatment of African-Americans is still a factor. Physical abuse is no longer a problem, but verbal abuse is. A radio-host named Don Imus called the Rutgers Women's basketball team a "bunch of nappy-headed hoes.” Unfortunately this racism is still a problem amongst society.