Racism Response. Week 12

Two of the readings from this unit reflect on historical events and the role that racism played. The articles are “How Racism has Shaped Welfare Policy in America Since 1935” (Section D - under Welfare Reform) and “Know Your History: Understanding Racism in the U.S.” (Section A)

 

Share your impressions of the points in history in which policy reflected or was impacted by American racism. Which policies do you think have had the greatest impact on racial inequality/inequity in the U.S. and why? What points in history, particularly with respect to policy if you can think of any, have been left out? 

 

Going forward from here, what kind of inclusive policies could be introduced to counteract some of the damage done to communities of color through these racist policies? I encourage you to think creatively here (in other words, don’t hesitate to suggest something you think is unrealistic at this point in time in 2018). 

· Carten, A. (2016). How Racism has Shaped Welfare Policy in America since 1935. The Conversation. http://theconversation.com/how-racism-has-shaped-welfare-policy-in-america-since-1935-6357

· Bundles, A. (2015). Know Your History: Understanding Racism in the U.S. https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/08/race-history-ferguson-150814082

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Nelda Villafane. Student 1

The articles, “How Racism has Shaped Welfare Policy in America Since 1935” and “Know Your History: Understanding Racism in the U.S.”, expose how the social welfare policy making has always been deeply rooted in U.S. historical events,and perpetuates racism and segregation. Said policies were constructed and incorporated economic, social and cultural bias against Blacks, and has expanded unto other people of color that are prevalent today. Neither the Declaration of Independence  nor policies that were created centuries ago, had people of color in mind when they were created, as their creators were all affluent Whites. These foster inequality and inequity in education, housing, employment and health care in today's social plights. Some of the most damaging policies ever created were as follows: (1) The Jim Crow Law (JCL), because it was created to maintain two separate worlds, with punitive actions against Blacks as a result of the abolition of slavery.  Also, JCL, was a legalized method institutionalized by the Whites, to sustain any Black American from legitimate advancement of any form. It dehumanized a race, with already limited resources to subsist with, while instilling division, fear and outright legitimized torture and killings.  Just as this present administration inflicts fear into non-documented immigrants with deportation.  The (2) Social Security Act practiced unfair policy towards Black Americans in the 1930s and 1940s, as  they were not perceived by Whites as being a part of the formal workforce, which made them ineligible for contributions through payroll taxes from employers and employees.  This reminds me of the birther movement that the Republicans perpetuated against Barack Obama, to delegitimize his right to run for President by casting doubt on his citizenship.   Or the same tactic that capitalist ideology use against low wage earners and non-union workers to remain content. (3) The ADC a state-operated policy only allowing for white widows to be primary beneficiaries from pension programs.  The ADC created criteria for eligibility and needs were state-determined, just as present policies and criterion exist, which limited government programs to help the poor and vulnerable.  (4) Perhaps one of the most damaging policies with lasting effects on people of color is the miseducation of American history taught in schools.  Many Whites are ignorant in knowing the history that people of color, especially the Natives and Blacks played in creating this country.  We are not taught about Natives forced to move West to make room for cotton plantations or that voting laws were enacted to disparage Blacks from gaining power through voting rights.  Other damaging policies created by Republican Party-political leaders such as Reagan’s, New Federalism and Gingrich’s, New Federalism, ensured that social welfare expenditures and responsibility for programs for poor families are given back to states.  Just as they do to keep voters of color at bay with state determined i.d. validation and criteria policies. Reagan knowingly perpetuated stereotypes against Blacks, Latinos, the homeless, single mothers and the impoverished while placing the blame on them for their plight. Further punitive policies were enacted and cast against single mothers receiving benefits while threatening fathers with imprisonment delinquent in child support payments. This incarcerates and crams more people of color in the already over-populated prison system.  Damages done to the communities of color through these racist policies, should be counteracted with the return of stolen lands and monies to their families. Also, policies should be passed that would assure items be returned and recompensed to the descendants of those damaged via scholarships and entrepreneurial opportunities.  Lastly, there should be public decrees apologizing to the cultural groups and families that have suffered due to the racist policies allowing for inequity and inquality