Racial Discrimination in American Society: English 150 Essay

This essay delves into the pervasive issue of racial discrimination within American society, drawing upon the literary works of Toni Cade Bambara's "The Lesson" and Ralph Ellison's "Battle Royal" to provide a comprehensive analysis. The essay explores how these texts depict the multifaceted nature of prejudice, examining the socioeconomic disparities and systemic biases that contribute to discriminatory practices. Through a comparative approach, the essay highlights the distinct experiences of characters like Sylvia from "The Lesson" and the narrator from "Battle Royal," illustrating the diverse forms racial discrimination takes and its lasting impact on individuals and communities. The analysis includes a discussion of the authors' use of literary techniques to convey their messages, the historical context of the stories, and the enduring relevance of these themes in contemporary society. The essay also examines the lessons learned (or not learned) by the characters and how these experiences shape their understanding of the world. This essay provides a critical examination of the themes of racial discrimination, social inequality, and the struggle for equality in America.

Running Head: Racial Discrimination in American Society
Racial Discrimination in American Society
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note

1RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
Racial discrimination can be explained as a term which creates a barrier between the
less favored people or an individual (Quillian. et al). The expression of discriminating in a
similar situation about the decent, nationality, race, color, ethnic origin or immigrant status.
In case of a racial discrimination a person may not be allowed to rent a house just because of
its particular caste, religion or racial background. The treatment which is received is
practically different as a person belongs to some other group. A direct discrimination can
affect a person or an individual mentally because of an unfair treatment (Feagin and Zinobia).
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all the individual person must
endangered against any kind of ill treatment or discrimination or in case of inciting. Racism
in United States has existed since the colonial era, where the white Americans where
compared with the Black People. It is still believed that the racism is one of the biggest
problem that still exist in America. Although United States has come a long away out of the
slavery issue and granting equal opportunity or right on the basis of race, it is still a problem
that presses hard to the people who are the victims of racial discrimination.
America is country where most of the people are immigrants that is where the US
anti-immigrant sentiments are deeply hurt and it still continues in the present days (Edelman.
et al). The impact of the discrimination on the American society has affected adversely
because as per the recent research, in United States the employee face a strong evidence of
racial discrimination in the level of labor market. The audit studies has shown that the
magnitude of blue collar workers in case of discrimination has increased from 50 percent to
240 percent. The people faced issues related to hiring for work, evaluation on the basis of
race, caste, creed or sex, promotion and wage payment (Gaddis). Over the time the effect
cumulated into a substantial differences. Discrimination adversely affects in the generation in
economic condition, health and wealth accumulation for a particular group that may lead to
cease the opportunity for the later generation. In case of poor health of the family members or

2RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
employment status may decrease their ability to rule or support the education of their
children, which in return may lower the potential of the child’s education success and in
future the socioeconomic factor may also be effected (Gaddis. et al).
In “The Lesson”, Toni Cade had discussed about a girl named Sylvia who taught
about nature. This particular girl was high spirited and intelligent but sometime she used to
get cynical because of the negative impact on the society. The story of the girl Sylvian and
her friend Miss Moore who moved in the neighborhood to teach the children some lessons of
life. The story continues as Miss Moore takes the children to a toy shop to study the behavior
of the customer. The children along with Miss Moore visited the shop to study the behavior
of the children and what they observe. The situation which made the teacher get angry was on
the unnecessary items that the parents purchased for the children. A discrimination barrier
gets created when the parents who can afford to buy toys more than the requirement with the
families who cannot afford with buying luxury toys for their children. A difference in the
attitude of the people affects the socioeconomic culture of a society. Both the friends have a
difference in the characteristics and in The Lesson the author explores the themes which are
related to socioeconomic difference and the cultural interaction between the characters and
interest are highly dissimilar. The author also highlights that despite the difference and the
attempts to ruin for herself and the other individual due to the nature, Miss Moore tactically
succeeds in passing the message (Cavico, Stephen and Bahaudin).
In case of “Battle Royal” the narrator is manipulated and thrown into a boxing ring to
fight against the white men. In this article the author highlights the importance of education
in one’s life. After the Royal Battle the narrator specifies the importance of education in the
lives of the black young men. The narrator’s grandfather was a spy in the enemy country and
gave him an advice of pretending meek and submissive around the white people so that one
day he will in the level to undermine the same status as they would hold. This note was

3RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
emphasized because that black men should defer from the white people in all the concerned
matters. This had led a lot of injury and the narrator was beaten and was forced to deliver a
speech regarding the significance of quietness and education of the African American. The
speech that the narrator made at the event had rewarded him back with an award as a
scholarship to collage.
The difference between the Lesson and the Royal Battle highlights the different types
of discrimination. In case of the Lesson, the racial discrimination is done on the status of
monetary benefit which the parents provides to their children. Even the author highlights on
the difference between the nature and attitude of Miss Moore and Sylvian (Baert). Where the
author portrayed the mind set of Sylvian as a free spirited girl and little concern for future. On
the other hand the description of Miss Moore was to manage and gain the trust of the
children’s parents and showed what the parents were unable to provide their children in a
planned budget. While in some case the mood of the children were spoiled but Moore made it
sure of exploring the children to the discriminating factors of the economic status. Now in
comparison with the Royal Battle the narrator is discriminated in the ground of racism. A line
of difference was drawn between the black and the white people. The black people were not
treated equally like the white who belonged to much higher position in the working places.
Equal opportunities were not provided to the black individuals and the treatment they
received was harsh and abusive where the people were harmed physically. The mentality
which is portrayed by the narrator in case of t5he grandfather where he advices his grandson
to be meek and humble of heart so that at the end the same treatment will be given as the
while Americans.
The young children does not receive the same treatment because the financial
condition of the people in the society are not the same. Few families may be of higher class
and few may be of middle or low society. It can be concluded from the above from the above

4RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
discussion in the essay that the racial discrimination are conducted on any ground were the
superior person makes it a difference with the people belonging to the lower caste. The racial
offensive speech at work place, at school, parks, public transport or in a shop may lead to
severe offensive act. In today’s world there are racial discrimination act which is active for
the people who are the victims. The act protects an individual in many areas of public life
such as getting jobs, banking and insurances services, doctor and trade people services and
services from the lawyers.

5RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
Reference
Quillian, Lincoln, et al. "Meta-analysis of field experiments shows no change in racial
discrimination in hiring over time." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 114.41
(2017): 10870-10875.
Feagin, Joe, and Zinobia Bennefield. "Systemic racism and US health care." Social science &
medicine 103 (2014): 7-14.
Edelman, Benjamin, Michael Luca, and Dan Svirsky. "Racial discrimination in the sharing
economy: Evidence from a field experiment." American Economic Journal: Applied
Economics9.2 (2017): 1-22.
Gaddis, S. Michael. "Discrimination in the credential society: An audit study of race and
college selectivity in the labor market." Social Forces 93.4 (2014): 1451-1479.
Cavico, Frank J., Stephen C. Muffler, and Bahaudin G. Mujtaba. "Appearance discrimination
in employment." Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal(2013).
Baert, Stijn. "Hiring discrimination: an overview of (almost) all correspondence experiments
since 2005." Audit studies: Behind the scenes with theory, method, and nuance. Springer,
Cham, 2018. 63-77.

6RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN AMERICAN SOCIETY