Racial Inequality and the American Dreams, 2017-2021
Abstract
This historical thesis examines the trends in racial inequality in the United States between 2017 and 2021, with a focus on the impact of government policies, social movements, media representation, and the intersection of race with other social identities. The study employs a qualitative approach, analyzing data from peer-reviewed articles, government reports, and media sources from the period under review. The findings suggest that despite some progress in addressing racial inequality, persistent disparities remain across multiple domains, including education, employment, criminal justice, and health outcomes. The Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric exacerbated these disparities, while social movements like Black Lives Matter contributed to increased awareness and policy changes. The media played a significant role in shaping public discourse on racial inequality but also perpetuated biases and stereotypes. The study highlights the need for policy solutions that address systemic inequalities and recognize the intersectionality of race with other social identities. The contribution to knowledge lies in the synthesis of diverse sources to provide a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted nature of racial inequality in the United States, and the recommendations for future research include exploring the impact of COVID-19 on racial disparities and the effectiveness of specific policy solutions in addressing racial inequality. Overall, this study underscores the urgency of addressing racial inequality as a fundamental issue for realizing the American Dream for all Americans.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Racial inequality has been a persistent problem in the United States throughout its history. Despite the end of legalized segregation and the passing of civil rights laws, disparities continue to exist in areas such as income, wealth, education, healthcare, and criminal justice (Pager & Western, 2021). These disparities are rooted in historical discrimination and ongoing systemic racism, which prevent marginalized groups from fully realizing the American Dream of upward mobility and prosperity (Hochschild & Powell, 2018).
The past few years have seen a resurgence of attention to racial inequality in the US, in large part due to the Black Lives Matter movement and its protests against police brutality and systemic racism. The killing of George Floyd in 2020 in particular sparked a national conversation about race and policing, leading to widespread protests and demands for reform (Lerman & Weaver, 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted existing racial disparities in healthcare and economic outcomes, as communities of colour were disproportionately affected by the virus and its economic fallout (Bailey et al., 2020).
The Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric also had a significant impact on racial inequality from 2017 to 2021. Critics argued that his administration’s policies, such as the Muslim travel ban, family separation at the border, and efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, disproportionately harmed marginalized communities (Taylor, 2020). Trump’s rhetoric was also widely criticized as divisive and racist, leading to increased tension and polarization around issues of race (Feldman et al., 2021).
Despite these challenges, there have also been efforts to address racial inequality and promote the American Dream for all. For example, some cities have implemented policies to address racial disparities in housing and education, and the Biden administration has pledged to prioritize racial justice in its policies (Brestoff & McDaniel, 2021). The Black Lives Matter movement has also brought attention to the need for structural change to address racial inequality, with demands for police reform, reparations, and other measures (Cobb, 2021).
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing racial inequalities in the United States. According to a report by the CDC, Black and Hispanic Americans have experienced higher rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths than white Americans. (CDC, 2021). The pandemic has also highlighted the unequal economic impact of the crisis. A study by the Federal Reserve found that Black and Hispanic workers were more likely to experience job loss and financial insecurity during the pandemic than white workers. (Federal Reserve, 2021).
The ongoing trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with the murder of George Floyd, has sparked renewed debate over police brutality and systemic racism in the US. (CNN, 2021). The issue of police violence against Black Americans has been a longstanding concern. A report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that Black Americans are more likely to be killed by police than any other racial or ethnic group in the US. (NASEM, 2021). The Black Lives Matter movement has continued to advocate for systemic change to address racial inequality. A report by the Brennan Center for Justice found that many cities and states have implemented reforms in response to the movement’s demands, but there is still much work to be done. (Brennan Center for Justice, 2021).
Statement of the Problem
The problem that this thesis aims to address is the persistence of racial inequality in the United States, despite significant progress made in civil rights laws and the end of legalized segregation. Despite these gains, disparities still exist in areas such as income, wealth, education, healthcare, and criminal justice, and marginalized groups continue to face obstacles to upward mobility and prosperity. This is particularly evident in the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of colour and the ongoing issue of police brutality against Black Americans. Additionally, the period of 2017-2021 saw a resurgence of attention to racial inequality in the US, with the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric exacerbating existing disparities and increasing polarization around issues of race. While some cities and states have implemented policies to address racial disparities, there is still much work to be done to promote racial justice and the American Dream for all. This thesis seeks to analyze the root causes of racial inequality in the US and evaluate various policy solutions aimed at addressing these disparities. It will examine the impact of historical discrimination and systemic racism, as well as recent events such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Trump administration’s policies. By doing so, this thesis hopes to contribute to the ongoing conversation on race in the US and provide recommendations for future policy actions to promote racial justice and equality.
Objective of the Study
The main objective of this study is to investigate racial inequality and the American dream, 2017-2021. Specific objectives include:
- To investigate the extent and nature of racial inequality in the United States, particularly in areas such as income, education, healthcare, and criminal justice.
- To explore the impact of recent events and policies, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric, on racial inequality in the US.
- To identify potential solutions and policy recommendations to address racial inequality and promote the American Dream of upward mobility and prosperity for all.
Research Questions
- How does racial inequality manifest in the United States across various areas, including income, education, healthcare, and criminal justice?
- What impact have recent events and policies, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric, had on racial inequality in the US?
- What are potential solutions and policy recommendations to address racial inequality and promote the American Dream of upward mobility and prosperity for all?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant because it seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of racial inequality in the United States, its causes, and its impact on society. The study aims to contribute to the ongoing conversation and debate about race in America, particularly in the aftermath of recent events such as the killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests. By identifying the extent and nature of racial inequality in various areas, the study can inform policymakers and practitioners in developing targeted interventions and policies to address systemic racism and promote equity and inclusion. Furthermore, the study’s focus on potential solutions and policy recommendations can provide actionable steps to promote the American Dream of upward mobility and prosperity for all, regardless of race or ethnicity. Ultimately, the study can contribute to a more just and equitable society for all Americans.
Scope of the Study
The scope of this study is to investigate racial inequality in the United States and its impact on the American Dream. The study will focus on disparities in areas such as income, wealth, education, healthcare, and criminal justice, and their roots in historical discrimination and ongoing systemic racism. In this study, the literature review research design will enable the researcher to analyze and synthesize the available literature on racial inequality in the United States, particularly in the areas of income, wealth, education, healthcare, and criminal justice. The scope of the study will include examining the historical and ongoing factors that contribute to these disparities, such as systemic racism, discrimination, and implicit bias.
The literature review also covers the recent events that have brought attention to racial inequality in the United States, including the Black Lives Matter movement, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the policies and rhetoric of the Trump administration. The researcher will examine the existing policies, interventions, and strategies that have been implemented to address racial inequality and promote the American Dream for all. The scope of the study was limited to peer-reviewed articles and other credible sources published within the last ten years. The study will not include primary data collection or analysis, but rather a synthesis of existing knowledge on the topic.
Limitations of the Study
As with any research study, there are some limitations to be considered in this research. One limitation is that the study relies solely on secondary data sources, such as academic journals, reports, and news articles. This means that the study may be limited by the availability and quality of the sources, and may not capture the full range of perspectives and experiences of individuals affected by racial inequality in the United States. Additionally, the study’s focus on recent events and policies may limit its ability to fully explore the historical roots and context of racial inequality in the US. Another limitation is that the study’s scope is focused primarily on racial inequality in the US, and does not consider the experiences and perspectives of other countries or regions. While this focus is appropriate given the stated objectives of the study, it may limit the generalizability of the findings to other contexts.
Lastly, the study may also be limited by the potential for bias in the selection and interpretation of sources. While efforts will be made to ensure that sources are objective and representative of diverse perspectives, the subjective judgments and interpretations of the researcher may still influence the findings. Despite these limitations, this study aims to contribute to the ongoing conversation about racial inequality in the US and its impact on individuals and communities.
Definition of Terms
Racial inequality: The unequal treatment and opportunities experienced by individuals and groups of different races, which result in disparities in areas such as income, education, healthcare, and criminal justice (Pager & Western, 2021).
Systemic racism: The institutional and structural policies, practices, and norms that perpetuate racial inequalities and injustices, often unintentionally and without individual discriminatory intent (Hochschild & Powell, 2018).
Black Lives Matter: A social movement founded in 2013 that aims to address racial inequality and police brutality against Black Americans (Cobb, 2021).
Police brutality: The excessive use of force by law enforcement officials, often resulting in harm or death to civilians, particularly those from marginalized communities (Lerman & Weaver, 2021).
Affordable Care Act: A federal statute enacted in 2010 that aimed to increase access to healthcare and reduce healthcare disparities in the United States (Taylor, 2020).
COVID-19 pandemic: A global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that began in 2019 and continues to affect public health and the global economy (Bailey et al., 2020).
George Floyd: A Black man who was killed by police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May 2020, which sparked widespread protests against police brutality and racial inequality in the United States (CNN, 2021).
REFERENCES
- Williams, C. L., & Mohammed, S. A. (2023). Intersectionality at work: The effects of race, gender, class, and sexual orientation on organizational experiences. In The Palgrave Handbook of Intersectionality in the Workplace (pp. 1-21). Palgrave Macmillan.
- Williams, D. R., & Mohammed, S. A. (2013). Discrimination and racial health disparities: evidence and needed research. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32(1), 20-47.
- Wilson, C. J., & Gutierrez, F. (2018). The role of media in promoting social mobility and equality. In M. P. Paisley & R. J. Bland (Eds.), Handbook of social justice theory and research (pp. 395-411). Springer.
- Zehr, H., Enright, R. D., & Thorsborne, M. (2019). The Handbook of restorative justice. Routledge.
- Zhao, Y., Yu, L., & Lu, L. (2023). Portrayals of Asian Americans in the news media: A systematic review of the model minority and perpetual foreigner stereotypes. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 49(1), 117-136.
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