Institutionalization of race

The institutionalization of race in America

The institutionalization of race that still exists in America, as evidenced by a variety of scholarly sources, may be traced back to Congress’s deliberate efforts to restrict citizenship to just white individuals (Steinberg 5).

Superiority of white Americans

In their essays, researchers Ian Lopez and Stephen Steinberg claim that white Americans were thought to be superior to other racial groups in America. The criteria used to determine this viewpoint were simply unsupported lies intended to control black people and others so they would work as slaves for the rest of time. The aspect of the melting pot, which literally is about fusion of people from different nationalities was just a mirage meant to divert the real issues from being discussed. The restriction of citizenship by naturalization to the white people alone had far reaching implications. It literally meant that the rest of the races which could not given citizenship through naturalization not own means of production or property and their role in the economy was to offer labor. This is why the rest of the races and more so the black people in America are under privileged when it comes resources and owning property.

Unequal distribution of resources and education

Schools and other public amenities were divided such that the white people could have the best while the rest had second class services and even education. This aspect continued to diminish the chances of the other races from ever being better (Lopez 3).

Injustices in the American economy

In a nutshell, it is worth mentioning that the building of American economy was based on unjust criteria which privileged and put the white people in a better position affirmed by law and other institutions in America. The worst thing is that these injustices continue to haunt America up to date.

Works Cited

Haney-López, Ian. White by Law: The Legal Construction of Race. New York: New York University Press, 2006. Print.

Steinberg, Stephen. Race Relations: A Critique. , 2007. Internet resource.