American cities and racial discrimination

American cities were once described as melting pots where people from different parts of the world were brought together and melded into Americans. But this picture was always marred by instances of racial discrimination showing that differences between people were strong. Americans might like to think that they have eliminated racial discrimination, and in fact the American people seem genuinely surprised when incidents occur showing otherwise, such as the Rodney King case in California or the Abner Louima case in New York. An examination of the issue as it has developed in Cleveland, Ohio can serve as an example of racial discrimination in America today. This analysis shows the different forms racial discrimination, the impact each has, the means taken to address each, and other information regarding the way the problem has developed and why it persists.

Racial discrimination can be found in a number of different forms, from discrimination in housing to discrimination in employment. Schools are often segregated either intentionally or because of housing patterns so that neighborhoods with one predominant race have schools that show the same pattern. Poorer neighborhoods therefore often experience a secondary discrimination because schools are supported by the tax base so that education is given short shrift in those neighborhoods that need to boost the most. Insurance companies often have different policies for diffe

Related Essays

Economics and African Americans .... They inhabit the urban ghettoes of major American cities. .... on the existence of the black underclass, Feagin (1993) argues that racial discrimination is a .... (2136 9 )

The Black Political Economy .... They inhabit the urban ghettoes of major American cities. .... on the existence of the black underclass, Feagin (1993) argues that racial discrimination is a .... (2123 8 )

The Hispanic Citizen in the US .... In major American cities, Hispanics have, by degrees .... between the Hispanic and "American" cultures. .... region, however, intra-racial discrimination among Hispanics .... (1213 5 )

Gorwth of Black Representation in Public Administration .... within a firm when sexes, racial groups, and .... rectify the effects of past discrimination affirmative action .... demographic changes in some American cities, and (2 .... (2397 10 )

Class and American Society .... component in educational inequality in American society, and .... schools in the inner cities deteriorating while .... residence, though, as different racial groups are .... (3157 13 )

found that in 48 percent of test cases, Latinos received dramatically different treatment than whites, leading to the threat of legal action if the situation is not corrected immediately. The editorial, though, asks how one can accurately measure discrimination. The implication is that an entire industry is being tainted by a few rogue agents, and while this may be true, it is not a reason for ignoring the problem. The editorial writer, though, seems intent on demonstrating that this is not discrimination at all but a reasonable business decision. First, the author cites what the study found. It found first that Latinos are routinely discriminated against because of an adversarial attitude taken by some agents toward Latin applicants. Such buyers were told that credit checks would be required before purchase, while whites were not told of this requirement. Latinos were further told that a home would have to be inspected before a policy quote could be offered, and the writer says this is a common-sense requirement, though whites were not told the same thing. The writer says that this disparity in treatment is a distinction but not necessarily discrimination: "It makes sense, and is the standard practice of some insurance

Category: History - A