The Disgusting History of Racial Discrimination

Mai Nakandakari

On Aug 9 of 2014, an unarmed 18-year-old black man, Michael Brown, was shot to death by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, the United States. Why did such a thing happen? Originally, police are sworn to protect citizens, but in this case the officer appears to have had a prejudice toward blacks. Racial discrimination is wrong.

First, racial discrimination hurts innocent people. Second, racial discrimination creates a vicious cycle. Finally, racial discrimination may cause violent conflicts and even wars.

Racial discrimination hurts innocent people. In the first place, racial discrimination means discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race. Discrimination against blacks has been continuing since the latter half of the 1700's, mainly because of skin color, religion, or class. My grandfather was Greek. He participated in the WWII and afterward discriminated against blacks all his life. When we did some shopping together, he grumbled beneath his breath when he encountered black people. They were just enjoying some shopping in the same manner that we are. This attitude troubled me deeply.

Racial discrimination creates a vicious cycle. For example, those with darker skin who suffer discrimination in the job market and receive lower salaries than similarly qualified lighter skinned people may lose hope and motivation and decide that education is entirely irrelevant. This discrimination creates a vicious cycle.

Racial discrimination may cause wars. Actually, racial discrimination has caused various wars. For example, the American Civil War. Discrimination against blacks was an opportunity and the Civil War was caused. In some ways, that war has continued, and it will do so, unless discrimination disappears from the world.

Racial discrimination produces only sorrow. It hurts innocent people. We must not stand for discrimination if we want to call ourselves civilized people.