Contemporary Racial Issues in the USA

Racial inequality is still a relevant topic in America today with its impacts apparent in employment opportunities, criminal justice, healthcare, and formal learning institutions. Despite the efforts that have been made since the Civil Rights Movement, current and enduring racism can play a big part in the treatment of racial and ethnic minorities. Racial inequalities have persisted in recent times, manifesting through disparities in income levels, racially biased policing, differences in access to health services, and variations in academic and classroom performance. While American society has taken significant steps toward addressing entrenched issues of prejudice, contemporary racism continues to manifest in the economic, criminal justice, healthcare, and education systems, prompting public policy changes, corporate accountability, and social justice advocacy measures in a bid to enhance equality.

Analyzing the history of racism provides a broader perspective and better vantage point to grasp the extent of modern racial dilemmas. Minority groups, including African Americans, continue to endure the effects of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and redlining. These practices put them further behind in the race to acquire generational wealth and, thus, lower their socio-economic status (Lynch et al. 2). Systemic prejudice in some laws and policies still gives ethnic minorities a raw deal. For instance, discrimination in the renting and selling of homes has seen the population segregated into certain areas, restricted economic opportunities, and limited access to quality education (Lynch et al. 3). The historical exclusion of Black Americans from homeownership and business loans has also contributed to the continued segregation of the community, as members cannot access certain financing facilities (Lynch et al. 3). These have had ripple effects on intergenerational disparities, leading to the marginalization of colored communities.

Racial economic inequality still remains a problem in the provision of job opportunities. Recent statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor reveal that the unemployment rate of Black people stands at 6.1% while that of the White population is 3.2% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Wage gaps also reflect systemic discrimination, with Black and Hispanic workers earning considerably less than their White colleagues in similar jobs (Lynch et al. 4). Moreover, workplace discrimination, both overt and subtle, restricts career advancement for racial minorities. These disparities stem from structural barriers like low funding to schools, inaccessible professional networks, and hiring biases. As a result, these differences have made it difficult for minority groups to achieve economic mobility.

In addition, the criminal justice system unfairly impacts minority groups, especially African Americans. The mass incarceration of Black people compared to Whites for similar offenses and subjection to more oppressive sentences shows the extent of discrimination (Wertheimer). The “war on drugs” targets minority groups wrongfully, resulting in devastating economic and social consequences. Racial profiling, stop-and-frisk policies, and the school-to-prison pipeline further exacerbate these inequalities. In this regard, reforming sentencing laws, eliminating cash bail, and addressing police misconduct are necessary steps in creating a more equitable justice system.

Racial disparities in healthcare access and outcomes remain a significant issue. Minority communities like African Americans and Hispanics have higher rates of chronic diseases due to limited access to quality healthcare (Lynch et al. 4). The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these disparities, with Black and Hispanic populations suffering disproportionately from the virus due to preexisting conditions and inadequate healthcare access (Andraska et al. 83). Implicit bias in the medical field also contributes to disparities in treatment, pain management, and medical decision-making. Therefore, addressing these inequalities requires expanding healthcare access, increasing diversity in the medical workforce, and implementing culturally competent care practices.

Education remains a key factor in addressing racial inequality, yet systematic disparities persist in the U.S. education system. Schools in predominantly minority neighborhoods receive less funding than those in White neighborhoods due to reliance on local property taxes (Hacker et al.). This funding disparity results in limited resources, low-quality teachers, and poor academic performance by students of color. The “achievement gap” is further exacerbated by standardized testing biases and school disciplinary policies that disproportionately punish Black and Hispanic students (Chong 3). Policies that promote equitable funding, diverse curriculums, and inclusive learning environments are essential for closing the racial education gap.
Policy changes and grass root mobilization can effectively address racism and prejudice. The Black Lives Matter movement highlights police brutality and systemic racism, demanding changes to the criminal justice system (Chong 4). However, policies like affirmative action, reparation, and fair economic agendas strive towards some form of compensation to address the inequalities (Lynch et al. 8). Access and inclusion for Indigenous people necessitate government intervention, corporate accountability, and community participation. Therefore, actions taken in areas such as economic policy, education, and healthcare can also go a long way in narrowing the racial divide over time.

In conclusion, although there are some changes taking place in the United States, racism still impacts multiple areas of people’s lives. Present-day economic inequalities, differences in criminal justice systems, varying access to healthcare, and educational disparities prove that there are long-term consequences for these wrongdoings. These issues present a need for policy changes, social justice campaigns, and community actions to fight race-based injustice. Therefore, disclosing, combating, and eradicating the social factors that perpetrate inequality is an important step in national progress.

Works Cited

Andraska, Elizabeth Ann, et al. “Health Care Disparities during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Seminars in Vascular Surgery, vol. 34, no. 3, Aug. 2021, pp. 82–88, https://doi.org/10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2021.08.002. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Chong, Miyoung. “Calling for Justice with #JusticeforBreonnaTaylor: A Case Study of Hashtag Activism in the Evolution of the Black Lives Matter Movement.” Social Network Analysis and Mining, vol. 13, no. 1, Apr. 2023, pp. 1–15, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13278-023-01054-3. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Hacker, Chris, et al. “Majority-Black School Districts Have Far Less Money to Invest in Buildings — and Students Are Feeling the Impact.” CBS News, 14 Sept. 2023, www.cbsnews.com/news/black-school-districts-funding-state-budgets-students-impact/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Lynch, Emily E., et al. “The Legacy of Structural Racism: Associations between Historic Redlining, Current Mortgage Lending, and Health.” SSM – Population Health, vol. 14, no. 100793, Apr. 2021, pp. 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100793. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Labor Force Characteristics by Race and Ethnicity, 2022.” Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nov. 2023, www.bls.gov/opub/reports/race-and-ethnicity/2022/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Wertheimer, Julie. “Racial Disparities Persist in Many U.S. Jails.” Pew Charitable Trusts, 16 May 2023, www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2023/05/racial-disparities-persist-in-many-us-jails. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.