RACE
America as a whole has come a long
way since the times of slavery. But since slaves were freed, racism has
continued to be a prevailing issue. Racism is prejudice, discrimination,
or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief
that one's own race is superior. Even though racism and discrimination were set
in place many years ago, even till this day no one has found a cure for this
disease. In the hysterical Political Satire, I Am American (And So Can You),
the author Stephen Colbert addresses the issue of racism in society through exaggeration
and sarcasm, but issues a need for Americans to change.
The question, where did racism come
from? is a question that has been asked many times by any people, but has a
wide variety of interpretations. According to Colbert, before the Civil war
skin color was not an issue. But following slaves being free, the use of
the word "slave" did not fit anymore. As a result,” ...former slaves
started calling themselves “Black” or “Negro” or “colored” (171). In
short, the color of one’s skin began to matter. Then came the issue of segregation
were everything was split between blacks and whites. "White people had
their drinking fountains, and Black people had their drinking fountains. White
people had their schools, and Black people had their drinking
fountains"(172). Presenting the origins of racism in this way at
first glance may seem funny, but what Colbert is saying is true. Before the
slaves were free, a slave was just a slave. But when African Americans were no
longer slaves they began calling them by the color of their skin. And because
of this distinction of color that paved the way for racism. Based on the course
of history and what Colbert is saying, the idea of how racism came about can
only be depicted in one way, irrational. It simply does not make any sense why
this ideology came about or why it is continued to be practiced today. By presenting
this point it makes one not only see society in a different way but want to
change it. No one wants to follow ideas that do not make any sense, just
because they have been around for a long time. And that is the outcome that
Colbert wanted. He wants people not to just see color when they look at someone
else but see another fellow human simple as color divide us. This goes into the
next claim made by the author. The problem in America is not necessarily
racism, but race.
In continuation of the origins of
racism Colbert discusses the root of this problem, which is race. Without race
there would be no racism is an argument that is presented. But this then raises
the question, how do you erase race? Luckily this question is answered for us
in the book. “NEWS FLASH: I don’t see race. THIS JUST IN: I used to see race”
(172). We as humans made the decision to value race which has been linked to a
series of problems. If we decide not to see race that would eliminate race
along with racism. If we made race important, we can also make race
non-existent. The outcome of how society turns out to be lies in the hands of
the individuals that are living in it. Colbert is telling the audience that we
have the power to do whatever we want. If we want to change things it is not
impossible.
