Author Question: Discuss the effects and costs of racial discrimination and oppression. What will be an ideal ... (Read 87 times)

Garrulous · **on:** Jul 2, 2018

Discuss the effects and costs of racial discrimination and oppression.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

John F. Kennedy promised to address the following problems if elected:

A) civil rights issues of the nation's out-groups
B) public work programs like the WPA
C) lack of health care for the elderly
D) diminishing open spaces

sarahccccc · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 2, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Racial discrimination is a barrier in a competitive society to obtaining the necessary resources to lead a contented and comfortable life. Being discriminated against because of race makes it more difficult to obtain adequate housing, financial resources, a quality education, employment, adequate health care and other services, equal justice in civil and criminal cases, and so on.
Discrimination also has heavy psychological costs. When members of a minority group are treated by the majority group as if they are inferior, second-class citizens, it is substantially more difficult for them to develop a positive identity. Thus, people who are the objects of discrimination encounter barriers to developing their full potential as human beings. Young children of groups who are the victims of discrimination are likely to develop low self-esteem at an early age. Discrimination also has high costs for the majority group. It impairs intergroup cooperation and communication. Discrimination also is a factor in contributing to social problems among minorities, all of which have cost billions of dollars in social programs. The effects of discrimination are even reflected in life expectancy. The life expectancy of non-Whites is several years less than that of Whites in the United States.

Finally, discrimination in the United States undermines some of the nation's political goals. Non-White foreign diplomats to America often complain about being victims of discrimination, as they are mistaken for being members of American minority groups. With most of the nations of the world being non-White, our racist practices severely damage our influence and prestige.

Answer to Question 2

C