by Dexter Rogers

Created on: April 27, 2009   Last Updated: April 28, 2009

Is reverse discrimination a problem in the United States? The short answer is no. It can subjectively asserted that there's a problem with respect to reverse discrimination but once the facts are analyzed it's becomes difficult to embrace the notion to be true.

When one looks at the historical development of this country the initial seeds of racism were planted in America with institutionalized slavery. One of the components of racism is discrimination.

It's vital to make the distinction between reverse discrimination and discrimination. First of all, white people created racism and discrimination. African Americans have been the consistent recipients of racism and discrimination over the last four centuries. When African Americans have expressed disenchantment with systemic racism and discrimination it's construed as discrimination when it's not. The African American is largely responding to the habitual inequities they've been subject to since the rise of American slavery.

African Americans have been victimized by Americas' oppressive system. Besides, for one to discriminate one must be in a position to exercise authority and control over the economics, politics, and socialization of an individual or group. African Americans don't control the FED, the government, or the media. Yes, there's an African American as president but he can only go as far as the House and Senate will allow him.

Over 90 percent of all mainstream media entities are owned by white males. That means information disseminated comes from a vantage point that doesn't understand or reflect the African American way of life.

There's only one African American Senator that sits on Capitol Hill and African Americans don't have control of the economy.

The power and capacity for the African American to discriminate isn't there. The problem which exists isn't a matter of reverse discrimination; it's a matter of dialogue.

A segment of the African American community has long been disenchanted with the system and simultaneously whites are ignorant about the transgressions in the African American community. Ignorance can be constructively attacked but inclusion and true understanding has never been promoted in this country.

Sex, war, drugs, and disease unfortunately makes money and harmony doesn't.

On micro level we are conditioned to focus on items such racism and discrimination because the media has educated us to do so. Many of the problems that exist are easily curable with constructive dialogue and embracing truth. Little hopes of doing the latter exist so long as the media is allowed to educate the masses.

To properly understand one another we all must co-opt open minds and engage one another as human beings and not the way media wants us too. At the end of the day we all want the same thing which is to be happy, live, and learn.

Perhaps if we all looked beyond the obvious we'd understand that African Americans aren't practicing reverse-discrimination. If we deal with the historical development of this country accurately everyone would see it's hard for the oppressed to simultaneously become the oppressor.

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