The View of the Black Man vs. The Black Man’s View

Why are black men being sent to prison in larger numbers?

Since slavery, black people have been associated with with everything opposing the success of this country. As scapegoats, blacks have become marginalized in most aspects of society including education, career opportunities, economic class, and political affiliations. Because of these associations and the socially constructed hierarchy in which blacks are condemned to the bottom, we have continued to see unlawful and unfair acts against blacks in great numbers. This continues for two reasons:

Firstly, the marginalization of blacks has kept them separate from other races. Ideologies about the race  have been formed through media which often projects a view of african americans as culprits. Because of the marginalization in the aforementioned aspects of society, blacks are not always able to refute these ideologies. Thus, other races may take these socially constructed ideas as truth and facts without even experiencing them for themselves. With a media-perpetuated view of guilty black people etched into the brains of many non-blacks, we then see the unfairness of racial profiling and discrimination.

Secondly, without being afforded the same opportunities as their white counterparts, blacks are more likely to resort to criminal activity. If blacks are not able to receive the same education, their chances at the same career opportunities, economic stability, and a political voice decrease drastically. Black people are fully aware of the difference and often do what they can to survive in spite of it. Additionally, with very little say so or influence in corporate America , the U.S economy, and U.S politics,  blacks have a difficult time negating these ideologies perpetuated by the media, keeping them marginalized as a people who may feel the need to commit crimes in order to make ends meet. Because of the marginalization the scope of black is often narrow, the air tight social system has a way of keeping the aspirations of blacks at bay, constantly decreasing the possibility for change.

Black men in particular are targeted because of their prowess. Again, the media perpetuates ideas of black men as threats. There is fear of the black man amongst whites. Acting on this fear, those in power do what they feel they should. However, these social beliefs are fictitious, which is why we see innocent black men in prison.

 

-J.E

 

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