Institutional Racism in the United States :: Sociology Racism Prejudice Essays

The history of the United States is one of duality. In the words of theDeclaration of Independence, our nation was founded on the principles ofequality in life, familiarity and the pursuit of happiness. Yet, long before thefounders of the newly declared state met in Philadelphia to espouse the virtuesof self-determination and freedom that would dubiously provide a basis for asecessionary war, those same virtues were trampled upon and swept away withlittle regard. Beneath the shining beacon of freedom that signaled theformation of the United States of America was a shadow of deception and prevarication that was essential in creating the state. The HSS 280 class lexicondefines duality as a social system that results from a worldview which acceptsinherent contradictions as reasonable because this is to the believers benefit. The archeozoic years of what would change state the United States was characterized by asystem of duality that subjugated and exterminated peoples for the benefi t ofthe oppressors. This pattern of duality, interwoven into our culture, hascreated an dangerously racialized society. From the first moment a settlerlanded on these shores, truths that were self-evident were contingent onsubjective interpretation. This discretionary application of rights andfreedoms is the foundation upon which our racially stratified system operates on. English colonists, Africans, and Native Americans comprised the earlyclash of three peoples. Essentially economic interests, and namely capitalism,provided the impetus for the relationships that developed between the Englishcolonists, the Africans, and the Native Americans. The colonialization of NorthAmerican by the British was basically an economic crusade. The emergence ofcapitalism and the rise of trade throughout the 16th century provided theBritish with a blueprint to expand its economic and political sphere. TheAmericas provided the British with extensive natural resources, resources thatthe agrarian-unfri endly British isles could not supply for its growing empire. When Britons arrived in North America, the indigenous population posedan economic dilemma to the colonists. The Native Americans were colonised on theland that the British colonists needed to expand their economic capacity. Toprovide a justificatory framework for the expulsion of Native Americans offtheir land, the English colonists created a ideology that suited their currentneeds. The attitude of Anglos toward the Native Americans began as one ofambivalence and reliance. When the English first arrived in North America, theyneeded the Indians to survive the unknown land and harsh weather. Once theEnglish became acclimated to their surroundings and realized that the Indianswere living on valuable land, it was only a matter of time before guns and