Problems Facing Black Americans Rusty Ryan Hester Baker College In the article Dilemma of the American Negro

(McKay,Claude, & Schuyler,d 2011) the writers setup the view of two different black Americans. One view is that of a person who feels that separation is the only course for their race. To break all ties to white America, to break away from its laws, rules, economy, and try to find a way to live without the intervention of a race they feel will try and keep the power that they have over them. Then you have the other type, one that feels segregation will only kill the progress that has already been made. With segregation comes a lack of knowledge of the other side, and with lack of knowledge comes fear and friction. With education and political power, they can finally break down the walls of oppression, and form unity with all races. Segregation has cause the black community more pain and suffering than it would like to admit. So why would one view consider this a course of action when determining its own fate? It most likely stems from discrimination people see in their lives. Like the discrimination we seen with Henry Loius Gates, Jr when he was arrested by the police when he tried to enter his office at Harvard University. Gates and his driver, who was also black, had trouble entering his office. Gates asked the drive to help him push the door open, and when the police seen two black men pushing on a door they were quick to arrest them both without further questioning(Staples,2012). Its because of actions like these that blacks have seen the justice system as a form of oppression, in place to deny their rights has human beings. This is considered a hate crime, when offenders are motivated to choose a victim because of some characteristic such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. (Schaefer, 2012) Whites on the other hand see the justice system as the force that serves and protects them and their rights. Sometimes its not as noticeable when a race is being discriminated against. Many companies have rules in place, asking employees not to disclose their earnings. Many think that is makes it much easier to discriminate against others. The average white male makes a median income of $52,273, which is one-third more than Black men and more than twice of a Hispanic women earns (Schaefer, 2012) This isnt someone that was going on 30 or 40 years ago, it is still happening in America today. Its examples like these that make black Americas feel the need to segregate from white Americas. Other black Americas see a light at the end of the tunnel. With organizations such as churches, fraternal social groups, minor political parties, and legal defense funds have been forcing the government to change their ways. In 1964, The Civil Rights Act was, and still is, considered the most important legislative effort to eradicate discrimination (Schaefer, 2012). The act prohibited discrimination in public accommodations. Even though racism is still alive in America, this law gave the foundation black Americans needed to create equality between the races. After that each court ruling after that helped equilty, Griggs v. Duke Power Co. which ruled Private employers must remedy when minorities were denied opportunities, even if unintentional, United Steelworkers of America v. Weber which stated its okay for union to favor minorities in special training programs, and Grutter v. Bollinger

which ruled race can be a limited factor in admissions at the University of Michigan Law School (Schaefer, 2012). There is cause and effect for both sides. One cannot let go of all the hate they have feel victim to. They feel the need for isolation to feel free, and cant seem to break the wall needed to overcome such feelings. The other feels strong, strengthened by the hate that was pushed on them. They see the path they feel will finally bring peace, even though it will be a hard and long journey. Either way, it is finally in the hands of the people that should have it. They are no longer slaves, and some have reached high into the American government to make sure change will happen. One is now our president, which can only show the wiliness of Americas majority to let the change happen.

Staples, Robert. "White power, black crime, and racial politics." The Black Scholar 41.4 (2011): 31+. Diversity Studies Collection. Web. 25 Sep. 2012. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.bakerezproxy.palnet.info/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA293544179&v=2.1&u=lom_fal conbaker&it=r&p=PPDS&sw=w McKay, Claude, and George S. Schuyler. "Dilemma of the American Negro." The Black Scholar 42.1 (2012): 17+. Diversity Studies Collection. Web. 25 Sep. 2012. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.bakerezproxy.palnet.info/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA298503062&v=2.1&u=lom_fal conbaker&it=r&p=PPDS&sw=w Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups. (13th ed., pp. 58-81). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.