RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN SOCIETY

Jalen Peterson
4-13-15
English Composition II
102.03
Racial Discrimination has been present in social communities for decades. It has been
commonly expressed in minority groups, especially in African Americans. African Americans
have struggled with racial inequalities since slavery, and the Civil Rights Movement. Today, racial

discrimination has been keeping them from achieving desired goals: in schools and in workplaces.
This causes them to have doubts in their abilities to succeed or feel discouraged. Racial
discrimination can affect African Americans in school, at workplaces, and it can be diminished in
them with supportive ways for encouragement.
Racial discrimination in schools can cause African Americans to be distracted or
intimidated from learning or achieving. It can act as a risk factor for multiple academic outcomes
(Neblett, et al. 246). It can affect their performance in school, as it may distract them from their
academic achievements or depreciate their abilities to do better. Experiencing racial
discrimination may cause youth to be more vulnerable to stereotype-threat processes (Neblett, et
al. 259). This means that students will be worried about over achieving racial academic
stereotypes that delay academic task performance (Neblett, et al. 260). It tends to bring down the
self-esteem of students. They may lower their interest and efforts in an area they are expected to
be viewed in a negative way in order to protect their self-esteem or sense of competence (Neblett,
et al. 259). They can be devalued when getting help from teachers because of racial stereotypes.
Evidence shows that African American boys receive more negative treatment from teachers and
peers (Neblett, et al. 259). Students can be limited in their academic performance because of
false assumptions based on race. Racial discrimination may be hard to face in school, but facing it
at work is another story.
In workplaces, racial discrimination is stressful while working or searching for a job.
African Americans can fear job loss because of racial discrimination. Usually, they are
undermined in certain positions than white people. When they are hired in certain jobs, they can
be underemployed by their employers. It can limit them to work in specific job fields, which they
are probably skilled in. Perceived job insecurity is rooted in unfair and unfavorable performance

evaluations, which induce perceptions of marginality and foreboding that one is not a preferred
employee (Wilson, Mossakowski 359). It can lower their self-esteem. They are more likely to
feel insecure about their jobs, regardless of their job title (Wilson, Mossakowski 361). They can
be devalued in certain positions. This may cause them to be laid off more likely than white
people. Although racial discrimination can be difficult in schools and jobs, there are ways to cope
with it.
There are many ways for African Americans to cope with racial discrimination. Stress and
depression can be expressed from experiences of racial discrimination. It has a harmful impact on
them and increases depressive symptoms and problem behaviors (Cooper, et al. 15). It can affect
their emotions deeply, making it hard to deal with. Having people support each other with
problems with racial discrimination is necessary. Families are good supporters against racial
discrimination. They are always there for each other, especially during stressful times. General
parenting practices plays a vital role in promoting positive adjustment and buffer against stress
from racial discrimination (Cooper, et al. 16). Religion is another factor in supporting them.
Religion gives them faith and it helps them keep their heads up from feeling discouraged and
lower their stress. It is important for African Americans to find ways to cope with their problems
that are involved with racial discrimination to keep it from bringing them down.
As racial discrimination still exists in our society, African Americans should continue to
pursue further. They should not let others bring them down when they are trying to strive to do
better. Racial discrimination may not leave society, but it can be diminished.

Works Cited
Cooper, Shauna M., et al. Racial Discrimination and African American Adolescents

Adjustments: Gender Variation in Family and Community Social Support, Primitive and
Protective Factors. Journal of Child and Family Studies 22.1 (2013): 15-59. ProQuest. 1
Apr. 2015.
Neblett, Enrique W., Jr, et al. ""Say it Loud-I'm Black and I'm Proud": Parents' Messages about
Race, Racial Discrimination, and Academic Achievement in African American Boys."
The Journal of Negro Education 78.3 (2009): 246,259,362-363. ProQuest. 1 Apr. 2015.
Wilson, George, and Krysia Mossakowski. "FEAR OF JOB LOSS: Racial/Ethnic Differences in
Privileged Occupations. Du Bois Review 6.2 (2009): 357-74. ProQuest. 1 Apr. 2015.