Race-The Power Of An Illusion Essay

Many people believe that personal success is associated with hard work, and reject the idea of success being related to privilege and wealth. Immigrants such as myself came to the United States in search of freedom, jobs, and better opportunities. The American Dream tells us that with hard work and determination, we can achieve social mobility. However, documentaries such as “Race - the Power of an Illusion” point out deceptions of the American Dream by exploring many forms of structural racism black Americans face in the United States.

Over the years, Americans have been taught to uphold the American Dream illusion of the majority being able to prosper, however, fail to discuss the abundance in racial and wealth disparities. According
When Jim crow laws were established, blacks were prohibited from selling products to Whites. This prevented black people from making profit, which automatically put them at a disadvantage due to low income. While the white community was getting all sorts of benefits such as homes, education, and loans, the African American community was hurting due to discrimination and racism. They were unable to escape poverty and were forced to work hazardous job for a very low pay. Although Jim crow laws were abolished, we still witness the long-term effects of segregation today. If we compare a white family to a black family today who work the same hours with same employment, there will be a significant difference in earnings. Due to these differences, African Americans are most likely to struggle with adequate access to health care, safe, sanitary, and decent housing, and educational attainment. These disadvantages sets people of color up for failure such as pregnancy at a young age, use of drugs, and leaving school in order to make a living to meet their needs. As the film states, it is only after we accept that racism does exist as well as white privileges, that we can