Racial inequality in the US and Europe
Racial inequality targets a certain population, preferably because of their skin colour. Notably, there was a lot of inequality in the past, displayed by how the whites thought themselves to be superior to blacks and any other race. For the longest time, people from the black community have experienced discrimination from having the best things, such as attending the best schools (Hetey, Rebecca and Eberhardt, 2018, pg. 185). America is well known for its racism, whereby people from minority groups are discriminated against, including by the criminal justice system. Racial inequality in the US and Europe The blacks and people from other cultures considered part of minority groups are always targeted and are discriminated against by citizens within America and Europe. Although racism is an issue in America, it is also applicable in Europe, where it is advanced in different aspects such as policing and infrastructure. Racial inequality happens to every race, such as Asian, Hispanic, and Indian. According to Pettit, Becky, and Gutierrez (2018, pg. 1163), people of colour are stereotyped as criminals and evil individuals, which explains why they are constantly held accountable for crimes they did not commit. In the UK, they are linked to criminal gangs. In correctional facilities, 60 – 70% of the incarcerated criminals are blacks and people of colour. Racism in policing, infrastructure development, border policy, and labour and social class in the UK are key areas that can help demonstrate the relevance of racism in Europe just as it is a problem in America.
Racism in Policing in the UK. Black youths are the targeted population due to the efforts of police using their policing “intelligence.” About 70% of the people of colour in the UK have reported being stereotyped and profiled irrespective of where they are and what they are doing, as noted by Hepburn, Peter, Kohler-Hausmann Medina (1165). Racial inequality in the US and Europe The whites do not experience injustice and inequality within the criminal justice system, and they are believed to have “white privilege.” Most of them live careless lives and are never apprehended, whereas the people of colour have to be extra careful in everything they do to avoid apprehension. This privilege results from the existing police “intelligence” that stereotypes the black community as the main criminal race that develops gangs involved in criminal activities. Policing intelligence has played an essential part in the incarceration of young Black youths in the UK. The development of the term “gangster culture” has initiated and steered the racial problem within the UK communities (Scott, 2018, pg. 13). Racial inequality in the US and Europe This is because the gang members have not only been the only targets of federal agencies, but also the friends and the local community of these gang members. Targeting the friends and local communities has seen racism advance, particularly for the Blacks, since their communities have technically been targeted by the police department. The minority groups can witness the obnoxious level of police intelligence in the mass incarceration of black youths within UK correctional facilities (Bell, 2013, pg. 12). The central cause of racial inequality in the justice system is stereotyping and the mentality that the people of colour are inferior and are responsible for breaking the laws. In the UK, gang-related violence and the use of drugs is a task that law enforcers strive to eliminate. Nevertheless, in this quest, they end stereotyping the black youths and associating them with drugs and gangs. People of colour are believed to be inferior and have no privileges, which was the mentality that resulted in slavery in America and medieval Europe (Hetey et al., 2018, pg. 186). Racial inequality in the US and Europe The same mentality has continued to prevail, and some criminal justice system institutions stereotype people of colour and think of them as criminals. An excellent example is provided by Scott through the Marcus Knox-Hooke case study. Racism is evident in the prosecution of Knox-Hooke founded on the intelligence provided by law enforcers, which saw Knox-Hooke sentenced to 32 months in prison. Police intelligence suggested that Knox-Hooke was responsible for the 2011 Tottenham riots. Knox-Hooke was also linked to the following national wide protests (Scott, 2018, pg. 9). In court, he was accused of being part of a gang that resulted in violence, burglary, as well as robbery. In a documentary made about him, Knox-Hooke insisted that he was never a part of any gang, which he had already told the courts. Knox-Hooke was a high profile black person within the society. If such individuals can be racially profiled, how much more do the normal black youths among the black community endure? They are racially profiled using police intelligence and associated with gangs that they are not part of. Another group of scholars suggests that racism is not an issue in Europe, especially not advanced by the police department. According to Scott (2018, pg. 14), most racial profiling cases among blacks and other people of colour are profiled in America, and that Europe is home to diversity. A majority of the racism cases have been witnessed in America and not the UK, which is why the rate of incarceration in the UK is below that of America as identified by Lentin (2004, pg. 14). Racial inequality in the US and Europe Therefore, racism in policing is not an issue in the UK since police intelligence is usually accurate and factual, which means anyone incarcerated using this intelligence is usually a criminal. Nonetheless, this counterargument fails to add up because gangs and drugs are used by people from all races including the whites. Because of stereotyping, police intelligence will often point out to one or a few groups such as the blacks, which leaves room for the rest of the gangs to remain operational (Nowicka, 2018, pg. 832). The sale of drugs and use of gangs is not a community aspect but an aspect that relates to everyone and gangs will often be associated with communities and not one specific community such as the black community.
Infrastructure development in the UK is a product of utmost racism. The development of the UK as a result of the underdevelopment of the African nations. This goes way back to colonial times. The British had several colonies in Africa. During this period, the British went to Africa, where they conquered because they had the tools. Racism is a product of one race, thinking it is superior to the other race, which is not true since this is usually an assumption. According to Rodney (1982, pg. 205), the underdevelopment of African nations is because the British expanded their economies at the expense of African labour. Racial inequality in the US and Europe When the British came to Africa and began the colonization process, they took African land and forced the people they met in these regions to work on their farms. Human labour offered was paid cheaply, while all the profit was made by the European man. The UK benefited from African trade, which was central to the growth of the economy (Lentin, 2004, pg. 23). For instance, most of the ports within the European port cities, including Liverpool, developed during the trading era, where Africans were the main commodity. Slavery was the result of human trafficking. Slaves were exchanged for other cheaper commodities, which became one of the driving forces of profitability among European firms (Rodney, 1982, pg. 208). The industrial revolution required substantial capital to materialize since it entailed developing large industries that offered products to the rest of the world. The UK acquired its capital from the slave trade. With increased capital, Europe had a competitive edge over its rivals, such as America. Where the African communities could have developed, efforts were thwarted by Europeans as they sought out to access more raw materials. Racial inequality in the US and Europe European Imperialism made African historical objects. Europeans used force to get into the African nations and controlled about 10% of the African territory as they pushed Africans to positions that only suited their needs and interests, thus, resulting in damaging effects (Rodney, 1982, pg. 209). Typically, colonial brutality was and has been the product of the European nation. Their prejudice and discrimination against the Africans made them take advantage and oppress them as they made their dreams a reality. Africans have for the longest time served as agents of economic and political advancements in the UK. European capitalism was founded on the colonization of Africa. Racism has often resulted in the oppression of one race by the other than thinking of itself as superior. Africans were oppressed by the Europeans who took over their land and only used the Africans as objects or bridges to get to the other side of capitalism and thus industrialization. The technological transformation and advancement of the UK have been a product of racism (Rodney, 1982, pg. 209). Racial inequality in the US and Europe This is similar to other areas such as America that have advanced on racism where the minorities have been oppressed while the majority have benefited. In contrast, arguments against the UK being a racist nation suggests that the development of their economy from their technological advancements have been efforts of Europeans (MacMaster, 2001, pg. 22). The infrastructure witnessed in these areas has been the efforts of Europeans who have worked hard and incorporated the effort of other individuals such as those from minority groups to help them develop the infrastructure at a pay. Whereas this may be true, racism has played an essential role since the Europeans have oppressed the blacks and minority groups through colonization. They have also paid them demeaning wages to build roads and other infrastructural development. The UK thrives at the expense of the rest of the economies and has acquired its foundation from colonization efforts that are racial since they oppressed the blacks Racial inequality in the US and Europe.
Racism in Border policy in the UK. The UK has been associated with the development of controversial laws in nature and those that make it challenging for people of colour to live in the UK. According to Hewitt (2020, pg. 108), one of the border policies was proposed by then home secretary Theresa May. May noted that the environment should be made hostile enough for the immigrants. This means those people are coming into the country without documentation. Although this was a strategic move to curb the presence of illegal immigrants within the UK, this policy affected immigrants without any documentation to show they were legal UK residents. The result was suffering for most of the immigrants. The Caribbean-born persons felt hit by the border policy because they were denied access to crucial things such as access to healthcare, their bank accounts, and employment opportunities (Hewitt, 2020, pg. 108). Some of the immigrants had traumatizing experiences since they were arrested and detained. Such experiences could not have been experienced by people in the UK. Racism is always advanced in hash ways, making the living conditions of those being discriminated against worse. This was the same case for the immigrants who could not produce documentation (Hewitt, 2020, pg. 108). Racial inequality in the US and Europe They were discriminated against to the extent that they could no longer secure employment opportunities, despite having moved to the UK for greener pastures. Although documentation is paramount, it does not have to be addressed and aimed at a specific population portion. Focusing on one community or minorities is considered discriminatory, mostly based on racism since the target population is the people of colour (Brah, 1999, pg. 6). Notably, the same harsh conditions are not created for the majority, the whites. Other border policies can be witnessed in the housing industry. The people of colour continue to experience racism since the industry is founded on discrimination based on race. Whereas the whites continue to enjoy their white privilege by living in better housing areas with lower populations, the blacks and other minorities continue to live in poor housing conditions with their neighbourhoods overcrowded (Shilliam, 2018, pg. 3). Racial inequality in the US and Europe Most of these minorities have been born and raised in the UK. All the same, they continue to experience hardships because of the border policies that are meant to discourage more immigrants into the country. Racism is adamant and evident in the housing sector, where the whites are preferred and given the best form of housing (MacMaster, 2001, pg. 36). Housing is an industry that the government can intervene in using policies that make the lives of those living in poor conditions better. Notwithstanding, the government, through its policies, continues to discriminate the minority groups leaving them to suffer. Conversely, arguments against racism in border policies within the UK are founded on the fact that the policies are meant to ensure everyone within the UK is documented by the government. Policies are meant to protect the people and to make sure that laws are followed (Humphris, 2017, pg. 509). Racial inequality in the US and Europe By integrating stringent border policies, the country’s security is preserved. Preservation of a nation cannot be done by oppressing or targeting innocent lives. New policies should be developed that help everyone and no making life difficult for a specific group. With the prevailing policies, minority groups will be oppressed, which will see them lack proper employment opportunities or healthcare (Lentin, 2004, pg. 34). Notably, the minority groups are the only population that cannot access proper healthcare and other essential services, while the UK citizens and in this case the whites continue to receive high-quality services as well as privileges.
Racism in Labour and social class in the UK. The issue of racism within the UK begun during the period of the industrial revolution. During this time, the economies of developed countries such as Britain and America were experiencing tremendous growth. With industrialization and technological advancements kicking in, the UK required multiple people to work in the labour industries (Sherwood, 1991, pg. 230). Racial inequality in the US and Europe These individuals could only be acquired from the African countries. Recall, the Europeans colonized the Africans and were leaders in the trade of slaves since they took them to form their land to the American and European markets. The UK took advantage of this aspect and maximized the opportunity. Through the use of Africans in their industries, the UK benefited by maximizing production and minimizing costs. Immigrants to the UK have for a long time held lower positions as compared to those helped by their counterparts, the Europeans. This element has progressed from the industrial revolution time up to date. During the industrial revolution, labour was required and was readily available because of the increased immigration rates from not only Indians but also people from the Caribbean (Sherwood, 1991, pg. 232). Racial inequality in the US and Europe When they arrived, racism was integrated since they were provided with the low paying jobs and particularly unskilled jobs. Before their arrival, the Europeans performed these jobs. However, as the industries grew, and more opportunities arose, the Europeans shifted and occupied the better-paying jobs as the rest were left for the minority groups (Shilliam, 2018, pg. 34). This aspect has continued to date. Most of the semi and unskilled jobs are held by minority groups such as blacks irrespective of their qualifications. The Europeans are given priorities in the top paying employment positions, leaving the minimum paying opportunities for the blacks and other people of colour. Racism in labour and social class can be witnessed in the establishment of black movements within Britain. The black working class experienced many challenges during the twentieth century, such as racial inequality in the workplace, segregated. The challenges of the black working class were because of the exclusionary practices of those involved in the employment sector (Ramdin, 2017, pg. 15). Racial inequality in the US and Europe These saw them secure those jobs that the white labourers could not handle since the better jobs were reserved for them. Conversely, arguments against the presence of racism within the labour industry and social class is based on the provision of employment opportunities. According to James (1985, pg. 24), the Europeans are not racists because they did and have continued to provide the blacks and other people of colour with employment opportunities. Although they did encounter several challenges, the white labourers also experienced similar challenges. Had the UK been racist, immigrants would be denied the opportunity to work within the industries. The reason behind their semi and unskilled employment was because they lacked sufficient knowledge and skills that had been acquired by the white labourers (MacMaster, 2001, pg. 42). Everyone has the right to work and secure proper employment. Had the employment opportunities been equal between the minority groups and the whites, they would all work within every employment position including the demeaning jobs that are handed over to the minority groups (Flemmen and Savage, 2017, pg. 247). Racism is oppressive in nature and people are discriminated. This discrimination is evident in labor and social class since the blacks will work in low-paying jobs, whereas the high paying jobs are left for the whites.
Racism is a problem in America and is also relevant to Europe. Racial inequality in the US and Europe The UK has continued to integrate racism in its activities over the years. Racism in the UK is not a new concept since it began ages ago when the Europeans colonized Africans. In the UK, racism can be witnessed in various aspects, such as racism in policing, infrastructure development, border policy, and labour and social class. Racism in policing is applied when the police use intelligence to maintain law and order, especially when drawing out gangs and dealing with drug-related issues. The police stereotype people from the black community, mostly and arrest them since they link them to different gangs and illicit drugs. A great majority of the black youths in the UK have been arrested and sentenced for the wrong faults due to the racism that points the police departments to the blacks and people from minority groups. Racism infrastructure development in the UK is explained by the development of the UK economy through the Africans’ exploitation when the Europeans colonized and used them as objects to fulfil their interests. Racism in border policy has seen the UK government develop stringent measures that bar immigrants from living comfortably. These policies have made it challenging for the people of minority groups to secure employment opportunities. Racism in labour and social class has seen the minority groups suffer as they continue to secure the semi and unskilled positions that attract low wages. This has continued from the industrial revolution period to the present. These instances are all demonstrative about the relevance of racism in the UK since these are the same problems the minority groups in America are experiencing Racial inequality in the US and Europe.
References
Primary Sources
Bell, E., 2013. Normalising the exceptional: British colonial policing cultures come home. Mémoire (s), identité (s), marginalité (s) dans le monde occidental contemporain. Cahiers du MIMMOC, (10).
Brah, A., 1999. The scent of memory: strangers, our own, and others. Feminist Review, 61(1), pp.4-26.
Hewitt, G., 2020. The Windrush scandal: An insider’s reflection. Caribbean Quarterly, 66(1), pp.108-128.
James, S. ed., 1985. Strangers & Sisters: Women, Race & Immigration: Voices from the Conference” Black and Immigrant Women Speak Out and Claim Our Rights,” London, England, 13 November 1982. Falling Wall Press Limited.
Lentin, A., 2004. Racism and Anti-racism in Europe.
MacMaster, N., 2001. Racism in Europe: 1870-2000. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Ramdin, R., 2017. The making of the black working class in Britain. Verso Books.
Rodney, Walter.1982., [1971]. “The supposed benefits of colonialism to Africa” (205-210) in How Europe Underdeveloped Africa.
Scott, S., 2018. The War on Gangs or a Racialised War on Working-Class Black Youths. London: The Monitoring Group.
Shilliam, R., 2018. Race and the undeserving poor: From abolition to Brexit. Agenda Publishing.
Secondary Sources
Flemmen, M. and Savage, M., 2017. The politics of nationalism and white racism in the UK. The British journal of sociology, 68, pp.S233-S264.
Hetey, R.C. and Eberhardt, J.L., 2018. The numbers don’t speak for themselves: Racial disparities and the persistence of inequality in the criminal justice system. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 27(3), pp.183-187.
Humphris, R., 2018. On the threshold: Becoming Romanian Roma, everyday racism and residency rights in transition. Social Identities, 24(4), pp.505-519 Racial inequality in the US and Europe.
Nowicka, M., 2018. “I don’t mean to sound racist but…” Transforming racism in transnational Europe. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 41(5), pp.824-841.
Pettit, B. and Gutierrez, C., 2018. Mass incarceration and racial inequality. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 77(3-4), pp.1153-1182.
Sherwood, M., 1991. Race, nationality and employment among Lascar seamen, 1660 to 1945. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 17(2), pp.229-244.
Shilliam, R., 2018. Race and the undeserving poor: From abolition to Brexit. Agenda Publishing Racial inequality in the US and Europe