Introduction to Modern Segregation in the U.S.
The United States has made significant strides in addressing civil rights issues, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. However, the so-called 'modern segregation' or 'resegregation' is a phenomenon that persists. This article explores how people are inadvertently supporting segregation today, through various systemic issues and social attitudes.
Unintentional Support for Segregation through Crime and Education
One of the most subtle yet impactful ways people support segregation is through their attitudes and actions towards crime and education among the underprivileged. Many refuse to take necessary measures to reduce crime rates in underserved areas, instead making excuses for it. For example, some individuals, aiming to avoid high crime rates, opt to separate themselves from those neighborhoods. Similarly, in schools serving the underprivileged, they refuse to enforce strict discipline policies, leading to higher rates of student absences or expulsions. This unwillingness to address these issues effectively often relegates these communities to leftover areas where they face greater risks and lower quality of education.
The real-world implications of this unwillingness are stark. For instance, President Barack Obama sent his children to private schools, reflecting a preference for self-segregation rather than working to improve public schools. This choice is a microcosm of a larger issue: the reluctance of affluent individuals to contribute to the improvement of local public institutions.
Federal Programs and the Role of the Federal Government
Federal programs aimed at helping the underprivileged, such as the Great Society, have often backfired. Instead of improving conditions, they created a culture of dependence, undermined the role of the father in the family, and encouraged women to become dependent on the government. These programs, while well-intentioned, often perpetuate poverty and maintain a cycle of dependency rather than fostering self-reliance and community empowerment. The latest example of this is Joe Biden's proposed "Great Society for the Middle Class," which raises concerns about further dependency on the federal government and the potential erosion of family units and self-sufficiency.
The Media's Role and Social Groups
A significant contributing factor to the perpetuation of segregation is the media and various social groups. Rather than promoting American ideals and unity, these entities often focus on dividing the population based on race, class, and other factors. By highlighting divisions and grievances, they fuel a narrative of separation, which is antithetical to the country's foundational principles of equality and justice for all.
Recent Efforts to Reinforce Segregation
The most recent and overt steps towards reinforcing segregation come in the form of changes to voting laws. These changes, often criticized as racially motivated, restrict access to the ballot box, disproportionately affecting minority groups. This is analogous to the Jim Crow laws of the past, which served to disenfranchise African American voters and maintain segregation. The lack of shame displayed by those promoting these changes underscores the ongoing and deep-seated issues of racial division in modern America.
Segregation in its modern form is not just about physical separation but also about mental and societal constructs. The separation of dormitories and graduations based on race reflects a lack of faith in integration and a preference for maintaining racial and economic divisions.
Conclusion: The Importance of Integration for a Fully Functional Society
Without integration, the United States cannot function as a fully functional and cohesive society. The tendency towards segregation, whether through crime, education, federal programs, or voting laws, undermines the very principles that the nation was founded on. It is crucial to address these underlying issues and work towards creating a society where integration and inclusivity are valued over division and separatism.
By focusing on systemic issues and addressing them comprehensively, we can move towards a more equal and unified future. Every individual, regardless of background, should have equal access to opportunities and resources, free from the barriers of segregation and systemic issues.