PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology

Psychology

Introduction

Some Americans behave as if racial differences produce inherent superiority in European Americans (whites)." (Randall 2005) Most of these beliefs stem from past acts and practices of racism and discrimination. Much of the attention bought to this racism is focused only on aspects of individual racism, or acts committed by one person or one group; however the real problem lies with aspects of institutional racism. Racism in the United States of America was constructed and continues to be maintained by the institutions, systems and practices of the predominantly white culture. This construction and maintenance of racism in institutions can be evidenced in, famous pieces of literature by American authors, such as, 'Notes on Virginia,' by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, the Supreme Court rulings of 1956, 1941 and 1964, the Civil Rights Legislations of 1957, 1960 and 1964 and the practices and systems of several organizations, government groups and medical services affiliates of the government.

Discussion

Institutional racism did not begin in America. In fact it has existed since humans first began living in organized communities. For example, Ancient Romans discriminated against all those born outside of Rome. They considered them to be 'alien' or a 'barbarian' and not worthy of having the rights of every other Roman citizen. Since America was founded, it has become ingrained in racist and discriminatory systems and practices, all allowing the superiority of the white culture. After the first settlements in America were established, slaves were bought from Africa and the Caribbean to be used as inexpensive laborers on farms and plantations. Having slaves allowed plantation owners to amass great wealth with little effort. The slaves had no rights, even to their own body and were constantly victims of violence, rape and discrimination. White settlers justified their treatment of the slaves by claiming they were civilizing them and that by forcing them to give up their culture and convert to Christianity, they were saving their souls. Slavery became a widely accepted practice and a huge industry was built on the supply of slaves to America. Laws including 'An act for the better ordering and governing of Negro's and slaves 1712,' (Cowie 1994 pg 212) were passed giving white men total ownership of their slaves. The law classified them as 'chattel', meaning "an article of movable personal property". (The Free Dictionary 2006)

The difference in skin colour and physical structure of the Negro slaves was also used to justify their continued slavery and the consequent racist behavior displayed towards them. A Virginian plantation and slave owner, named Thomas Jefferson, who was considered to be one of the most learned men of his time, in his book 'Notes on Virginia' called for an investigation of why blacks were inferior to whites. Some of his conclusions included, "They secrete less by the kidneys and more by the glands of the skin giving them a strong and disagreeable odor," and "I advance it, therefore as a suspicion only, that the blacks, whether originally a distinct ...