Paper Summary:

The author of the paper examines the effect of systemic racism on poverty amongst the non-white population of the United States and in particular, African Americans. The writer contends that systemic racism includes racist social practices, unjustly gained economic and political power of whites, and unjust impoverishment of different ethnic groups created by historical oppression and embedded into institutions such as government, media, and schools. The writer of the paper then examines those aspects of modern society that, in his opinion, contribute to systemic racism and higher poverty rates amongst minority groups.

From the Paper:

"Additionally, the relevance of addressing poverty and its causative factors is something that is better understood when considering it in light of the fact that the prevalence of poverty. Within areas containing low-income housing, it is typical for that area to have an increase in economic decline, higher infant mortality rates, and increased crime rates. The urgent problem of black poverty is primarily due to the distribution of wealth, power, and income influenced by the racial caste system (West). Furthermore, considering that these implications are typical in the case of poverty not being addressed and countered, it is quite evident that poverty is not only maintained but also reproduced. Due to weak social safety net, reforms against poverty have yet to show its effectiveness. From the early 1970s to the early 1990s, unemployment rates were high, growth in real median earnings was slow, and wages and access to employer provided health insurance and pensions fell for workers on average (Danziger). Although there was a war on poverty beginning within the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, the Reagan Administration was very detrimental to reforms put in place to combat poverty. By the mid-1990s, the U.S. had rejected the idea of fighting poverty by raising the incomes of the nonworking poor, but it has not adopted an alternative policy to provide employment to those who seek work but cannot find jobs (Danzinger). Due to a weak social safety net, it seems as if there is no plan to help low-income workers. By understanding systemic racism, one of the key components is the rationalization of racial oppression. Individuals in power who see those in poverty, the thought is that most poverty-stricken individuals lack motivation to work and give birth to more children in order to receive larger welfare checks. It seems that individuals in power do nothing about poverty issues because the rationalization is that poverty individuals put themselves in that position. By understanding systemic racism, one can see patterns and trends within mainstream society and how it inhibits social progression. This thought process allows individuals in power to view these needy individuals as inferior, therefore keeping them from integrating into middle class. The current social safety net is put in place to maintain current conditions rather than push for reform."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Jackson, Andrew. 2001. "Poverty and Racism. Perception." Volume 24, #4, http://www.ccsd.ca/perception/244/racism.htm
• Shah, Anup. 1998. "Causes of Poverty, Global Issues." http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Poverty.asp
• Feagin, Joe R. 2001. Racist America: Roots, Current Realities, & Future Reparations. New York: Routledge,
• Schwalbe, Michael. 2005. The Sociologically Examined Life. New York: McGraw-Hill
• West, Cornel. 1993. Race Matters. Boston: Beacon Press

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