by Rene Romo

Created on: November 18, 2009   Last Updated: November 20, 2009

In my opinion, black America's problem is the false sense of equality that the US portrays. I won't touch on the subject of slavery because it is no longer a viable reason for black America to have problems. None of my family or friends even care about the slavery days. They dismiss it just as easily as a commercial on TV.

The issue that I hear most about from family and friends is the employment situation that is prevalent within minority groups, especially black groups. Many people that are not black, and few that are, give the argument that there is equal opportunity for everyone, and that should be enough to allow black people to become equal to others. This is redundant ; everyone has seen the shows and reports on black people being turned away more frequently and more aggressively than "white" people for jobs, loans, and over all customer service. People don't understand the feeling of being judged every single place you go. Knowing that if you pass the police on the street that you have a higher than average chance to be pulled over and interrogated, searched and arrested. Even living as a model citizen means nothing to law enforcement if you fit the description.

A black person has to work 4 times harder just to be considered equal. There are a myriad of things that black people do that white people have no concept or even the slightest thought process to accomplish simply because it is something that white people do not have to do at all in their lives. When a black person speaks to a policeman, they are thinking of every word and sentence, keeping track of their tones and volume of their voice, always finishing with sir / ma'am, officer. When my white friends get pulled over they turn their radio up, answer with smart remarks, laugh at the officers mannerisms. The officer is even light hearted and jokes with my friend about some nascar race going on that weekend. The difference in this interaction alone is like night and day. Last time I tried to joke a little with an officer I was arrested, detained and released. I lost 8 hrs. of my life just because I thought I could joke around like my white friends do during a stop.

There is a double standard in America and that is the major problem. The minorities have become the majority as far as numbers, but in the sense of control through government and finances white people have the upper hand and they will continue to protect their investments, regardless of whether its called racism, or just freedom to

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