Humanities Harrovian - Issue One

Page 12

Could God be Blamed for Racial Inequality in America? Vienna Kwan, Year 11, Keller In the year 2020, racial inequality still exists. Despite not presenting itself in the form of slavery or laws, it has not disappeared: it has merely shifted into other forms under a veneer of normalcy. Through the advancement into modern society, racial inequality has manifested itself in new areas: poverty, unemployment and crime just to name a few. From the recent murder of George Floyd by law enforcement to the subtle denial of education due to the colour of your skin, racial inequality is arguably still present. What is racial inequality, in the context of the United States? It refers to the imbalances in distribution of power, economic resources and opportunities due to one’s race. Despite the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which led to the 13th and 14th amendment, racial inequality continues to dominate American society. One can’t help but ponder the role of God within this context, exploring how he could be involved in the racial disparities within wealth and wages to the discrimination faced in jobs and education. How could the presence of racial inequality, something that arguably contributes to evil and suffering in this world, simultaneously co-exist with an all-loving, all-powerful God? Viewing from another perspective, one could argue that racial inequality, now more than ever, is tied to the way capitalism works. Typically, billionaires thrive off the exploitation of the working class, and yet the wages are still distributed differently due to the colour of someone’s skin. For example, a white male of the working class makes around $19.23 per hour, whereas a hispanic woman makes around $12.5 per hour - which is clear evidence of systematic inequality toward both race and gender. The labour of workers improves a country’s GDP and stimulates economic development, but they (especially people of colour) are simultaneously manipulated by the inherently unequal system. As more billionaires are produced, the country prospers. However, the reality is that only by depending on these racial disparities in income, wealth, education and family structures are they able to flourish. The origins of racial inequality is a widely discussed topic. It could be argued that one’s intransigence is an inherent trait and therefore contributes to systemic or institutionalised racism. Would this be valid seeing that many people of all races spend their life fighting for the equality of others? Many people are empathetic for those who suffer and strive to do everything in their power to make a change.

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Could God Be Blamed for Racial Inequality in America


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