Ignored Action of Systemic Racism!

Systemic racism is often ignored or overlooked due to a combination of social, political, historical, and psychological factors. While many people recognize individual acts of racism, systemic racism, which refers to entrenched policies, practices, and institutions that produce and maintain racial inequalities, can be more challenging to see and acknowledge. 

Many people aren't fully aware of the deep historical and structural roots of racism. Often, school curricula either downplay or overlook the full story of colonialism, slavery, segregation, and discriminatory policies that have shaped our societies. When this vital context is missing, people might mistakenly see racial inequalities as natural or simply due to personal failings, rather than understanding the systemic barriers at play. This education gap can lead to a limited view of how racism extends beyond obvious acts of prejudice. I used to believe that integration in our educational institution unfairly burdened minorities, mainly because of unequal pay standards. Even when minorities performed the same work as their peers, they always earned less. Interestingly, some of their counterparts were stay-at-home housewives taking care of children. The minority wives often had to take low-paying jobs despite having a higher level of education.

Talking about racism, especially systemic racism, can sometimes be uncomfortable for many, particularly those who benefit from the current systems. Recognizing that institutions may be biased in favor of certain groups can be challenging because it involves confronting brutal truths about privilege and inequality. Sometimes, in response, people might deny or downplay these issues, often saying things like "racism no longer exists" or "everyone has an equal chance if they work hard." How can anyone say that racism no longer exists when they are, in turn, trying to erase its history? If integration existed, it was due to the segregated society that produced it. 

Erasing history because some sections of society are embarrassed by it and don’t want future generations to know about it is cowardly and vile. Currently, the party in support of returning Americans to the Jim Crow era wants to ban historical documents from being taught in schools. Adjutant General Alan Wilson of South Carolina stated that “Our schools are supposed to be places of learning and collaboration, not indoctrination into woke ideologies that assign blame or condemnation based on race or sex.” You might recall his father, Congressman Joe Wilson, who called out President Obama as a liar, breaking congressional decorum during the President’s speech to Congress in September 2009. How disrespectful, and yet, it demonstrates that there are double standards in America. Embracing these conversations with openness can lead to greater understanding and progress.

Addressing systemic racism means making profound structural changes that challenge existing power balances and ensure resources are shared more fairly. Those who hold power, such as politicians, corporations, and other institutions, might resist these changes because they want to keep their control and economic benefits. Because of this, efforts to fix racial inequalities often get delayed or weakened, and public conversations tend to avoid criticizing the system. Even though former President Obama said he was working for all the people, figures like Mitch McConnell and his colleagues quickly began opposing him, trying to block efforts to create a fairer playing field. They claimed they were protecting the country’s majority interests. Sadly, today, they are doing all they can to divide and harm the nation, and there seems to be little opposition to this from others.

Mainstream media often focuses on individual incidents of racism (such as hate crimes or offensive statements) rather than examining the broader systems that enable racial disparities in areas like housing, healthcare, education, policing, and employment. This framing reinforces the idea that racism is the result of "bad apples" rather than institutionalized injustice. Some networks openly display their bias without shame. Misinformation News is spread with one goal in mind. That is making sure that the truth is hidden. 

Cultural myths like meritocracy ("anyone can succeed if they try hard enough") and colorblindness ("I don’t see race") can hide the real impact of systemic racism. These stories might cause people to overlook racial inequalities or wrongly blame marginalized groups for their struggles, instead of understanding the role of institutional barriers. The founding fathers accepted Black men and their patriotism during the Revolutionary War, but did not give them credit for assisting in winning the battles, even though some were slaves. Keep in mind that some of the founding fathers were slave owners. How could they recognize that these courageous, black men not only helped win the war but also designed Washington, D. C., the seat of American government? 

Since the post-Civil War era, right after Reconstruction, most laws were designed to keep minorities from achieving equality. The riders who masked their faces used fear and intimidation to silence voters and obstruct progress at every turn. Those were the Jim Crow days. To me, that feels a lot like the MAGA movement. Hate seems to follow hate, with eyes wide open and mouths closed tightly. 

Systemic racism is embedded in laws, policies, and practices that might seem fair at first but can create unequal outcomes for different racial groups. Because it isn't always obvious or intentional, many people struggle to see or understand it. This complexity can make some overlook or dismiss it, especially if they haven’t experienced it themselves. After all, where in this country would they encounter it? The system is designed to protect their rights, not necessarily everyone else’s. It’s as if the Supreme Court has taken off Lady Justice’s blindfold.

Systemic racism is often overlooked not because it's absent, but because acknowledging it can shake up long-standing beliefs, reveal deep societal issues, and call for change. Overcoming this denial involves education, awareness, empathy, and a dedicated effort toward fairness and justice. Only when society as a whole recognizes the reality and effects of systemic racism can we work toward genuine racial equality. Bring your lunch, this is going to be a long battle.