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    Lyza Molina - Documented Essay #2 - Racism

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    Peterscopez YT
    This document is a student paper analyzing a Washington Post article about a video called "Structural Discrimination: The Unequal Opportunity Race." The paper argues that [1] the video and similar materials should not be taught in schools because they misguide students to see each other through a racial lens rather than their character; [2] the video promotes affirmative action based on skin color rather than economic status, which harms people of all backgrounds; and [3] the focus should be on equal opportunities in the present rather than past racial problems.

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    Lyza Molina - Documented Essay #2 - Racism

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    Peterscopez YT
    14 views5 pages
    This document is a student paper analyzing a Washington Post article about a video called "Structural Discrimination: The Unequal Opportunity Race." The paper argues that [1] the video and similar materials should not be taught in schools because they misguide students to see each other through a racial lens rather than their character; [2] the video promotes affirmative action based on skin color rather than economic status, which harms people of all backgrounds; and [3] the focus should be on equal opportunities in the present rather than past racial problems.

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    Lyza Molina - Documented Essay #2_ Racism

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    This document is a student paper analyzing a Washington Post article about a video called "Structural Discrimination: The Unequal Opportunity Race." The paper argues that [1] the video and similar materials should not be taught in schools because they misguide students to see each other through a racial lens rather than their character; [2] the video promotes affirmative action based on skin color rather than economic status, which harms people of all backgrounds; and [3] the focus should be on equal opportunities in the present rather than past racial problems.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    14 views5 pages

    Lyza Molina - Documented Essay #2 - Racism

    Uploaded by

    Peterscopez YT
    This document is a student paper analyzing a Washington Post article about a video called "Structural Discrimination: The Unequal Opportunity Race." The paper argues that [1] the video and similar materials should not be taught in schools because they misguide students to see each other through a racial lens rather than their character; [2] the video promotes affirmative action based on skin color rather than economic status, which harms people of all backgrounds; and [3] the focus should be on equal opportunities in the present rather than past racial problems.

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    Molina1

    Lyza Molina

    Professor Brumback

    English 102

    24 April 2023

    Boiled Down to the Color of Skin

    “There are few things more dishonorable than misleading the young,” said Thomas

    Sowell, a successful economist and prominent African- American conservative (Classical

    Difference). Racial classifications began in the 1600s, created by Carl Linnaeus, into four

    distinct human races (Müller-Wille). This classification is the origin of many problems in

    American society. It's a classification system based on ideas and assumptions that left a residue

    of a hierarchical structure in the minds of many. It is astounding that a mere idea could distort the

    perception of many nations. Teaching race in school is inappropriate as it is not innate but a false

    idea. It should not be affirmed but destroyed to rebuild a nation on a clean slate. Peter Holley’s

    referenced video and other material of the nature should not be taught in school because it can

    misguide children and it is a potential harm to various communities through affirmative action.

    The video references in Peter Holley’s article and other similar material should not be

    taught in school because it misguides students to look at each other through a race based lens

    instead of acknowledging each other for their merit and grit. In an article, Peter Holley, a general

    assignment reporter from The Washington Post, references a video called “Structural

    Discrimination: The Unequal Opportunity Race.” This video demonstrates the obstacles or

    opportunities various people encounter based on their racial background, on a lifelong race to
    Molina2

    success. People opposed the video referenced in Holley’s article because it promoted racial

    division. Advocates for the video felt it was necessary to highlight U.S. history and race. This

    video is indeed divisive. If this video has any truth to it, it would be on a statistical average and

    not based on race or economic standing. Many ‘white’ Americans have had advantages over

    minorities, though these advantages only account for a small portion of the economically wealthy

    Caucasian population in America. Videos like these influence students to believe that every

    person who is colored will not succeed and everyone who is white will. This is not an accurate

    perception of the United States of America. This video focuses on the color of people’s skin and

    not their merit and character. Material of this nature may discourage children from attempting to

    continue on their journey in life solely because of their skin color. It may also create resentment

    towards a particular race because of a history that is no longer in effect in the U.S.

    This video and other material of this nature promote affirmative action, which solely

    focuses on the color of people’s skin and not their economic status. Many Americans get denied

    from programs specifically targeted at African Americans because of their skin color. This not

    only harms people in the lower income communities, it also allows people to continue to use

    loopholes to avoid bettering themselves. Affirmative action also devalues the achievement of

    people of color and women by giving them preferential treatment when hiring or accepting them

    into institutions (Sowell). Videos of this nature promote affirmative action as a remedy to past

    problems when in reality it harms people of color economically and financially. According to

    Thomas Sowell, hiring people based on their skin color and not their merit may lead to a lack of

    credentials in certain areas. This applies to academic standing as well.


    Molina3

    People should address previous racial problems, but they should no longer be the focus.

    The focus should be ensuring everyone has the same opportunities now, in the present. Also,

    make sure everyone is culturally aware. Everyone should be aware of cultural differences,

    regardless of skin color or ethnicity. There is no exclusive race or ethnic background. These are

    just differences we hold unique to each other. Children should not be influenced to view each

    other in a way that divides them.


    Molina4

    Works Cited

    Classical Difference. “Thomas Sowell: Common Sense in a Senseless World.” The Classical

    Difference, 3 Feb. 2021,

    www.classicaldifference.com/thomas-sowell-common-sense-in-a-senseless-world/.

    Accessed 24 Apr. 2023.

    Holley, Peter. “Parents Outraged after Students Shown “White Guilt Cartoon” for Black History

    Month.” Perspectives on Contemporary Issues: Reading across the Disciplines, by

    Katherine Anne Ackley, 8th ed., Cengage Learning, 2018, pp. 290–294.

    Müller-Wille, Staffan. “Race and History.” Science, Technology, & Human Values, vol. 39, no. 4,

    13 Jan. 2014, pp. 597–606, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4326670/,

    https://doi.org/10.1177/0162243913517759.

    Sowell, Thomas. “Affirmative Action around the World.” Hoover Institution, 30 Oct. 2004,

    www.hoover.org/research/affirmative-action-around-world.
    Molina5

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