ENTRY 3: Capitalist Origins of Racial Oppression in the U.S.
1. Summary of article – what is article about? (brief – do not tell the entire story)
The article's author, W.T. Whitney Jr, begins the article by telling his journey back in his own families history. His predecessors owned and operated the profitable Franklin & Armfield slave-trading firm. They go to bring light to discrimination and see how they can be apart of changing the future for all Americans. Whitney's key idea is the oppression was linked to the slave trade, and African-Americans have never actually recovered from this oppression because there is profit to be made off of a poorer society. He proves his point by showing race bound statistics: African-Americans comprised 40% of the U.S. prison population while only making up 13.3% of the countries population. They have lower high school graduation rates, lower life expectancy, higher infant death rates, lower median family incomes. He ends his article by saying there is no way forward except to pursue a more socialistic society.
(I know many of the events in this article did not happen within the last year, however, the article was penned within the last year and information is very present and real today. Please be flexible with this time based confine. I understand it but I am seeking to show an even picture of oppression. I want to understand it, to the best of my ability).
2. How does the story relate to oppression/discrimination?
This article tells a small portion of the history of the oppression and discrimination of African-Americans. It tells the attempts are freedom and removal of these confines but how they ultimately have not succeeded.
3. Who is oppressed?
Generational African-Americans.
4. Who is oppressing?
Capitalistically minded caucasian residence of United States began the oppression and it continues on in subtle ways by many who are not directly involved in profits from oppression.
5. How are they oppressed? What type of oppression/discrimination is involved (individual, organization, structural, make argument for other types)?
Racial oppression of this scale involves nearly every structure of discrimination imaginable. People of color were discriminated against because of their color(individual). This happened originally at a government level and carried its way down throughout all of society(organization). It was nearly impossible for people to climb out of the financial position that this kind of oppression left them in and therefore it was very structural. It also screams moral exclusion - the United States was founded upon freedom for all and equality but right at its foundation there seemed to be a clause that allowed the terrible mistreatment of dark-skinned people. Another point for moral exclusion is that many of the founding members of the United States were men who said they believe in the bible, however, upon my examination of the scriptures, I find no merit for racial oppression. They made an exception to suit their needs and desires.
6. Explore the significance in our society. What are the implications for this oppression? What does this say about the values of our society?
The implications of large-scale racial oppression in the United States are so ingrained in our society that beginning to speak about them is a difficult but necessary undertaking. an entire race of people has been held back and constrained. Generations of African Americans have not had opportunities that others have, not because of some deficient on their own part, rather because of a convoluted, and tragic history. Who knows what the United States would be like today, had this not occurred. This situation says to me that society, in general, are a bunch of followers and don't think for themselves. People do what other people do. People oppress without thinking if others do it too. I do believe that some still believe African Americans are inferior, however, I think that many no longer hold this view and simply carry on actions that make it seem such because it is still engrained in society.
7. What was your personal reaction? Explore thoroughly. What aspects(s) of your own socialization has led you to this reaction?
I am remorseful for this situation. Not that I had caused it directly, I don't feel personal guilt. However, I am sorry for the African American population and how they have been mistreated. I believe people should be given opportunities and freedom should be an alive concept, not something limited to those who can buy it. I would like to look further into this issue and understand why this issue has not been eradicated previously. Is there a deficient in the education system? What can be done with the next generation to remove this from existence. My background with volunteering in Australia and witnessing firsthand the situation that refugees live in has led me to believe that people need to be treated equally and that the government needs to take action to make this more encouraged.
8. What did you learn?
I never realized how much racial oppression had simply carried on following the freedom of slaves. It shocked me to hear the story of Ossian Sweet, who was tried for murder over a revolt when he moved into a white neighborhood. I learned that systematic oppression is still very much alive and will continue to carry on unless it is picked apart and people choose to act differently.
9. How do you think the media represents this story?
I believe the article did a decent job at telling what could be told in a short story. I think this story and the way that media portrays it has evolved over the last several decades. I am very much apprehensive of the author's conclusion that the only way to resolve this situation, is to change our system to be more socialistic. While yes, wealth needs to be more accessible, more thought needs to be given to what will resolve this issue. It is a step in the right direction but I wouldn't say it is the desination, yet.
10. What was your source?
I was reading from the Counter Punch new source. The link to the article can be found here:
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