The second chapter “The Lockdown” has its focus on historical evaluation relating to war on drugs as perceived on how laws changed with time (Alexander, 37-59). In as much as Alexander named several other disturbing elements associated with the drug war, my concern remains the fact that holistic investment by the highest governmental levels in this menace requires substantial attention alongside established policies and laws that would make good such an investment.
The article “Vanishing Son” focuses on stereotypes of Asian-Americans as seen in the American society. This stereotyping has been clearly manifested in the society’s theater, literature, and media expressions ("Vanishing Son”). Important to note is that such stereotypes bear negative repercussions on Asian immigrants in current events, daily interactions, among others, and as such should be abolished. Again, it appears quite insensitive to portray these racial differences through major literary work such as films. Instead, such platforms should be used in helping eradicating racism.
The article “Racism Kills” focuses on how racism plays a part in the high mortality rate of Black deaths across the United States (“Racism Kills”). Firstly, such a research would not go down well with the Black population; furthermore, the data was collected without the consent of those individuals who took part is the survey. Secondly, the research report that was presented to the public would really affirm the belief of White racist that they are superior, and as such it only escalates racism. It is not right to conclude that racism will not end soon despite the efforts being put by everyone in ending racism. In fact, claiming that blacks need to find a way out of managing stress associated with racist comments aimed at them only promotes the vice.
My experience with ‘race talk’
I am a Saudi national aged 22 years old. My experience with ‘race talk’ became dominant during the last couple of years, when I heard people discuss discrimination in my home country of Saudi Arabia. Important to note is that Saudi Arabia is one of the nations which is based purely on Islamic religion as the majority are Muslims. In the Islamic doctrines, there is no color, lineage or race discrimination. As such, the differentiation manifests only through taqwaa (piety or holiness). The early teachings stresses on the fact that all humankind originated from Adam and Eve, thus, an Arab bears no superiority over a non-Arab and vice versa, neither a white is superior to a black and vice versa except by good action and piety. Nonetheless, our society is distant in eliminating favoritism and discrimination. It seems we have got lots of racist in our society whose target varies from Arab to non-Arab and even to Saudis themselves.
I have witnessed cases where non-Saudis only find it easy going to both private schools and hospitals despite the fact that it would cost them large sums of money. But they do so because the ‘race talk’ has made them believe that they have no rights in attending public amenities within Saudi Arabia. Again, in cases where Saudi women marry non-Saudi men, their kids are forced to have the nationalities of their fathers and can earn Saudi citizenship by eighteen, after which they cannot. Just like my home country of Saudi Arabia, I have come to realize that ‘race talk’ occurs worldwide including the United States. There has been constant reference to Whites versus Blacks covering various scopes like research, historical engagements and grant to public opportunities.
Work Cited
Alexander, Michelle. The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press, (2012): 37-59
"Vanishing Son: The Appearance, Disappearance, and Assimilation of the Asian-American Man in American Mainstream Media." Vanishing Son: The Appearance, Disappearance, and Assimilation of the Asian-American Man in American Mainstream Media. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2016. <http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/Amydoc.html>..
"Racism Kills: New Study Finds Startling Connection Between Black Death Rates And Racism Levels Across the US - Atlanta Black Star." Atlanta Black Star. N.p., 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2016. <http://atlantablackstar.com/2015/04/30/racism-kills-new-study-finds-startling-connection-between-black-death-rates-and-racism-levels-across-the-us/>.
