Essay Sample on Slavery and Racial Inequality

During the age of industrialization, slavery was the primary source of labor for the plantation owners. The slaves were managed by an overseer or manager who was brutal and cruel. The slaves were subjected to long day work and heavily whipped in case one refused to obey what the overseer commanded. The slaves were not happy with how they were treated, and they started to resist with time progressively. The overseers could not allow them to resist since the order from the slave owners was that in case they do not comply, one should use the whip to the maximum every day. Due to this intimidation slaves could not rise and resist their master within a short period hence this took several decades. Many slaves who tried to resist and refuse to cultivated were killed mercilessly while their colleagues watched as a way of instilling fear among other slaves. Due to the rise of more activists, finally slavery was abolished, and the era of racial inequality started (Eltis, 64-76). This when slaves (Black Americans) were subjected to discrimination, and they could not access basic Amenities such as hospitals, schools, and other crucial facilities such as housing. The activities ensured such discrimination was stopped and after numerous campaigns, Black Americans were assured of equal opportunities in education sector and workplace.

Black Americans were not allowed to attend schools that belonged to the Whites. Instead, they were supposed to attend schools that belonged to the Black Americans which lack basic facilities hence they received a low-quality education. The schools were highly populated and were characterized by a poor curriculum that offered them no opportunity to compete in the job market. Many Black people did not like this kind of discrimination, and they believed that the only way they could be assured of quality education was through massive campaigns just like their ancestors had done to stop slavery. Afterward, they were assured equal opportunity in the education sector, and one would attend any school based on his/her merit and not on his race. After racial segregation had stopped in the education, the government made tremendous efforts to ensure all schools had the same facilities to ensure no child was left behind (Bertocchi and Dimico). Many regimes such as that of George Bush and Barrack Obama have highly funded all schools in America to ensure all citizens received a quality education.

In the workplace, many Black Americans were not assured job position due to their race. But after numerous campaigns, affirmative action has been taken to ensure all Americans could acquire the same job opportunity. The government increased its rate of employing Black Americans in government position as an initiative to encourage private sectors to start recruiting all people. The private sector has also been able to employ a significant number of individuals from all races in American based on their merit and not their skin color. As a way ensuring all Americas have equal opportunity in the workplace, the government has formulated various laws that prohibit job discrimination in certain workplaces. Due to employment opportunity, Black Americans had been subjected to abject poverty, but currently, the situation is changing gradually (Loury).

The American economy can grow at a high rate when all citizens are given equal opportunities to participate in all economic activities. The economic activities of the year 2020 will require individuals with high level of education and skills and this why most of the regimes are highly investing in the education sector. The American government should strive to ensure no discrimination in the education sector as well as in the employment sector for the economy to boom and remain competitive with other economies which are not affected by racial segregation.

Worked Cited

Bertocchi, Graziella, and Arcangelo Dimico. "The Historical Roots Of Inequality: Evidence From Slavery In The US | VOX, CEPRS Policy Portal." Voxeu.org. N.p., 2017. Web. 21 July 2017.

Eltis, David. "Europeans and African Slavery in the Americas." The Rise of African Slavery in the Americas, pp. 57-84.

Loury, Glenn. "An American Tragedy: The Legacy Of Slavery Lingers In Our Cities Ghettos." Brookings. N.p., 2017. Web. 21 July 2017.