Examples Of Inequity In America
Inequity in America Prejudice is unfortunately a common theme in today’s society, especially in America. Certain races and ethnicities are immensely affected by the inequity. America is supposed to be the land of the free where everyone is equal and there are no judgments based on your past or where you live or even who your relatives are. However, that is far beyond the truth. In reality, your wealth and your opportunities depend on the color of your skin and even your name. America is not the best, it is a work in progress with the potential to be the best. There are several distinctive divides in the economy, race being one of them. Part of this has to do with housing because “in 2011 the wealth of the median white household was 110,000
dollars,” whereas for “African Americans on average 17 times less just over 6,314 dollars (CNN Video). This establishes the results of difference in race and the tremendous difference in the amount of money between the two. There is not much wealth in an African American household which is why the “rate of homeownership among whites is 28% higher than that of blacks”(CNN Video). African Americans were not given the same opportunities and rights so they had to buy houses in cheaper areas and sometimes were even prohibited from buying houses in “many suburban neighborhoods” by the Federal Housing Administration. This divide goes to present years of 2004-2010 where hispanics and blacks lost 25% of their wealth meanwhile, whites only lost 1% because of incredibly high rates and fees from mortgages. Since, the minority groups were only able to afford housing in specific areas they lived there and their culture became sharper and more distinct. Culture affects what one’s name will be which can actually decrease or increase someone’s opportunities to success. Stereotypes are huge like when turning in a job application, the application can be overlooked as someone’s name can connect to a Hispanic or black background which may make the employer not pay closer attention as if it was a white man or woman applying (Freakonomics). For instance, in Dr. Mullainathan’s study he created 5,000 resumes. Half of them had the name Greg which was a white name and the other half had a black name, Tyrone. The resumes were sent out and the results were clear as “the same resume when having an african american was about 33% less likely to get an interview than when it had a white name”(Freakonomics). People believe that if one has a name related to a culture who is a minority, the person is not qualified or good enough for the job. A name should not make a difference in who you will be in the future but it does affect how people perceive you. One ethnicity is not superior than then the other. However, that it exceedingly difficult for some people to understand that simple concept. One should definitely not underestimate someone because their name is Tyrone, Maria, or even Greg. Someone’s culture does not define how well they will do and how qualified they are. It would be a dream if everyone could just agree everyone is equal no matter the gender, the age, the race, the culture, the wealth, or even the name. After all, is that not the vision for America. Unfortunately, people still believe in superiority and a better race when it really should not. To improve, the people need to accept everyone’s differences. The reality of that happening is not likely, but to equalize the opportunities one should not write our name or address on an application. Rather, a phone number and email consisting of numbers should be the contact information so that no prejudices could be made in any process and everyone has an equal chance to achieve for what they aspire. Inequity is increasing and causing America to hinder its advancement in liberty for the people.
dollars,” whereas for “African Americans on average 17 times less just over 6,314 dollars (CNN Video). This establishes the results of difference in race and the tremendous difference in the amount of money between the two. There is not much wealth in an African American household which is why the “rate of homeownership among whites is 28% higher than that of blacks”(CNN Video). African Americans were not given the same opportunities and rights so they had to buy houses in cheaper areas and sometimes were even prohibited from buying houses in “many suburban neighborhoods” by the Federal Housing Administration. This divide goes to present years of 2004-2010 where hispanics and blacks lost 25% of their wealth meanwhile, whites only lost 1% because of incredibly high rates and fees from mortgages. Since, the minority groups were only able to afford housing in specific areas they lived there and their culture became sharper and more distinct. Culture affects what one’s name will be which can actually decrease or increase someone’s opportunities to success. Stereotypes are huge like when turning in a job application, the application can be overlooked as someone’s name can connect to a Hispanic or black background which may make the employer not pay closer attention as if it was a white man or woman applying (Freakonomics). For instance, in Dr. Mullainathan’s study he created 5,000 resumes. Half of them had the name Greg which was a white name and the other half had a black name, Tyrone. The resumes were sent out and the results were clear as “the same resume when having an african american was about 33% less likely to get an interview than when it had a white name”(Freakonomics). People believe that if one has a name related to a culture who is a minority, the person is not qualified or good enough for the job. A name should not make a difference in who you will be in the future but it does affect how people perceive you. One ethnicity is not superior than then the other. However, that it exceedingly difficult for some people to understand that simple concept. One should definitely not underestimate someone because their name is Tyrone, Maria, or even Greg. Someone’s culture does not define how well they will do and how qualified they are. It would be a dream if everyone could just agree everyone is equal no matter the gender, the age, the race, the culture, the wealth, or even the name. After all, is that not the vision for America. Unfortunately, people still believe in superiority and a better race when it really should not. To improve, the people need to accept everyone’s differences. The reality of that happening is not likely, but to equalize the opportunities one should not write our name or address on an application. Rather, a phone number and email consisting of numbers should be the contact information so that no prejudices could be made in any process and everyone has an equal chance to achieve for what they aspire. Inequity is increasing and causing America to hinder its advancement in liberty for the people.