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Racial and Gender Discrimination: 

America's biggest Challenge

by: Jacques Dady Jean 

Discrimination is counter-productive to the U.S. economy and its consequences generate a systematic increase of violent crime among poor and the colored people. 

According to Dr. Marable Manning in his book Beyond Black and White, for more than a century nearly half of the U.S. population has remained unproductive and, up until now, the disparity between the Black and White America continues to generate poverty, fear and violence within our society. 

Gender and racial discrimination has been promoted by the U.S. government since the beginning of this nation. The concept of "white supremacy" was the supporting philosophy behind the institution of slavery. About two centuries ago, in 1857, the United States Supreme Court ordered that both the North and the South regard blacks asbeing an inferior kind and altogether unfit to associate with the white race, either in social or political relations. This Supreme Court decision remained effective until 1960. Though slavery was abolished, the status of the African-American was not clearly defined. 

The inclusion of African-Americans in U.S. society began in the early sixties as a result of the Civil Rights Movement. Colored people earned, literally, a few rights, including the right to become a legal U.S. citizen, the right to vote and the right to equal opportunities through Affirmative Action. Unfortunately, these rights have not been fully implemented. African-Americans are still fighting to guarantee these rights. 

A few months from the second millenium, African-Americans are still far from reaching their American dream. They are not yet welcome in the job market, and socially they are not accepted by the white majority. Thousands of qualified African-American workers remain unemployed. Despite this fact, it has become very popular today that U.S. employers hire their technical personnel from abroad, and to everyone's surprise the U.S. government is encouraging such an initiative by allowing work authorization to these foreign technicians. 

People of color and white women have traditionally been locked out of the broader economic opportunities available to white males. When considering the contribution of the few colored people and white women who managed successfully to break through the white dominated system, we can see how many resources the U.S. wasted by its reluctance to integrate minorities into the U.S. economy. 

According to A. E. Sadler in his book titled Affirmative Action, statistics revealed that white males continue to monopolize high status positions in this society and colored people's access to higher education is still very limited. The education standard is very low in the black community, due to lack of resources, and the disadvantaged social and economic condition of the students. About 65 percent of black students live below the average living standard, very often with a single parent. However, theexpansion of Japan's industry over the U.S. is the result of the higher standard of its workers and the willingness of the country to invest in the education of every one of its citizens. 

The status of women and African-Americans and their representation in the workplace has certainly improved but is hardly sufficient. There is still an unfair difference between the salary of a white male and a colored person. It has been well documented that last year the median income as a percentage of white men's salaries was 74 percent for African-American men, 71 percent for Latino men, 58 percent for white women, 55 percent for African-American women and 49 percent for Latino women. 

While women represent half of the adult population and nearly half of the workforce, the predominant white male designed system keeps women disproportionately clustered in traditionally female jobs with lower pay and fewer benefits. Women remain severely underrepresented in most traditionally professional occupations. There are not too many women engineers, and there are few women in the military. Colored women have lagged particularly far behind in both employment and education. 

Throughout the history of this nation, women were barred from engaging in certain occupations. Our nation's colleges and universities were completely closedto women for the first 150 years of the existence of this country. Look at the achievements and the performances of our women today, in the arts as well as in science and think about how much these intelligent people would have contributed to this country during those 150 years. In the wake of the Civil Rights Movement, the attempt to integrate colored people and women into the social, political and economical system produced a very positive result. 

One of the most famous U.S. Army Generals, Colin Powel, TV personality Opra Winfrey and the success of many other Black people are the result of Affirmative Action. White women, like architect and Harvard professor Ann Macy Beha, First Lady Hillary Clinton and English professor Diane Carvisiglia, are good evidence to convince the nation that white men misled the country by keeping colored people and women in the closet for so long. 

"As long as the minority population is not allowed an equal opportunity to completely achieve their American dream, the nation can not reach the promised land," exclaimed Reverend Jessie Jackson in George E. Curry's book The Affirmation Debate. 

In 1995, William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, added: "We could do better if we unify the Black and the White America." 

The white majority in their blindness still can not accept the 

fact that it is in the best interest of America to have a more productive and competitive minority group. Discrimination is the evil of the past. The debate on racial issues must not focus only on yesterday's mess, but to repeat Socrates, a philosopher of the ancient civilization: "History is the narration of the past and the analysis of the effect of this past on the present and the future of a nation." Yesterday's mess will haunt our "free" men lives, but people of color can not let yesterday's mess pollute both today's and tomorrow's opportunities. Something must change in America. Everyone who sincerely believes that discrimination is wrong, unjust and unfair must fight it in their community. President William Jefferson Clinton is the first leader of this nation to raise the issue of racial and gender discrimination since President John F. Kennedy denounced these acts. Most politicians prefer to avoid all 

debates over racial issues. Such an attitude is politically incorrect and boils down to the idea that university and government bureaucrat are traditionally and historically compromising notions of objective merit, and color blindness by showing preferential treatment toward white men. 

Racial discrimination has short-changed the lives of the American people. It puts Americans against Americans, neighbors against neighbors. 

The Social Consequences of Discrimination on Society

The U.S. has the highest rate of violent crime of any other industrialized country. Some people, including author Richard C. Wade, believe America's history explains this situation. According to Wade, violence in the U.S. has been very high since the beginning of this century. Prejudice against immigrants, Native Americans and blacks led to further violence, he argues. He concluded that the founders of this country contributed to its violent heritage. 

Economic and racial injustice contributes to violence. Minorities commit a disproportionate number of the violent crimes in the U.S. and are also more likely to be victims of violent crimes. In a U.S. Department of Housing Report to the President (1995), Lynn A. Curtis wrote that poor minorities are more likely to commit crimes because they have nothing to lose, if they are successful, they may gain money or status from committing the crime. Violence will continue, as long as poverty and racial injustice persist. 

The gangs, the drugs, the senseless violence are attractive only because children in the black community have been made to feel like nothing, like worthless objects, like a generation of dirt stacked on top of other generations of dirt. The society at large, and particularly those African-Americans who have somehow escaped the terrible feeling of insignificance and invisibility, should be ashamed of the pain that is allowed to overwhelm the black children. The pain stalks black children living amidst hopeless welfare. "And desperate people commit desperate actions." 

If racial and gender discrimination is not addressed truthfully and carefully, the future of this country will lead to uncertainties, because this growing minority generation will not be able to compete in the advanced technology world. This can only hurt society. ©go to next page

 The Column of Mayor Thomas M. Menino

Cancer is the number one killer of adults in the city of Boston. Cancer is a terrible thing not only for those suffering from the disease, but also for their family and friends. Prevention is probably our best weapon against this disease. As mayor, I will use every means possible to reduce cancer in this city. The Cancer Control Task Force report will strengthen our efforts to reduce cancer in Boston through prevention, screening and treatment. 

I have already taken a number of steps to advance the goal of cancer prevention in Boston. The smoking ban is probably the most recent and far reaching. Restaurants are now free from the dangers of second hand smoke. The ban has created a healthier work place for restaurant workers and dining spot for patrons. I also implemented a program that provides city workers with four hours of paid leave to get cancer screening exams. Promoting exercise through the Boston Youth Sports Congress and women's health with the mobile mammography van are other key preventative efforts I have started. These are just the beginning, withthe task force recommendations have the information on where we need to push cancer prevention further. 

I convened my Cancer Control Task Force last February to see how we can increase our effectiveness in the fight against cancer here in Boston. In our research, we found that between 1987 and 1994, nearly 20,000 cases of cancer were diagnosed in Boston. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about this fact is that a large number of these cases could have been prevented. Knowing this fact, I want to focus on preventative efforts to eliminate cancer to the best of our ability. 

Our report shows a lack of access to preventative knowledge and services has created higher rates of cancer in lower income people and African Americans. We know that the lack of access to care is preventing earlier detection of cancer and therefore decreasing cancer survivability. Armed with this knowledge from the report, I am taking steps to change the situation for the better. My vision is to provide better access to cancer prevention and screening programs for everyone regardless of the ability to pay. I will provide a means of facilitating travel to and from cancer screening appointments for people who need help. Getting information circulated to people on simple lifestyle changes that can be made to prevent cancer will also be a part of our strategy. 

We have done a lot, but I want to do more when it comes to battling the number one killer in Boston. The task force has come up with some very interesting, precise and yet basic findings on fighting cancer with prevention, screening and treatment. 

The report also outlined how several key lifestyle issues, including tobacco, nutrition and exercise relate to cancer rates in Boston. Tobacco kills more people in Boston each year than AIDS, homicide, and suicide combined. The evidence in Boston that links tobacco to cancer is strong. The two Boston neighborhoods with the greatest number of smokers, South Boston and Charlestown, also have the highest rates of lung cancer. That fact should say it all. 

Nutrition is another vital factor in preventing cancer. Research shows that consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily reduces the risk of cancer; yet, only 24% of Bostonians report consuming this amount of fruits and vegetables. 

Exercise is the third issue identified with cancer prevention. As the rate of exercise increases, the rate of cancer decreases. Unfortunately, statistics show only 30% of Bostonians report engaging in regular exercise. On all of these issues, we need to improve the healthy behavior of people in Boston. Anyone who has suffered from cancer can tell you why it is so important. 

The task force was comprised of a number of people with important perspectives on the issue of cancer from the health care industry, the media, the research community, cancer survivors and the American Cancer Society. Together, we have worked to look at where we can strengthen our cancer prevention and access to care efforts. 

I look forward to moving ahead on this issue. I thank everyone on my task force for their thorough and worthwhile effort. I thank them for myself and on behalf of all those who will benefit for their efforts. ©

The Caribbean Community Recognition Awards

Caribbean Connection International, Inc. and The Boston Connection Magazine have begun preparations for the 1999 3rd Annual Multi-Cultural Festival/ Community Recognition Awards. 

According to the chairman of the Awards Committee, they are almost ready to announce several new events that will be included in the celebration next year. 

This initiative began three years ago and has attracted a lot of attention among Boston residents. More than 3,000 people have already returned their nomination forms and this process will be extended until January 15, 1999. 

This annual festival remains dedicated to 1.) highlighting the Caribbean/ West Indian culture 2.) Fostering economic development 3.) promoting peace and unity within the Caribbean, West Indian and African community. 

Highlighting the Caribbean/ West Indian culture

The Caribbean islands have a culture rich in African and Indian heritage. Their music is composed of rhythmic drum beats and a chant-like singing to express the supernatural language of their African gods. Their faith lies in the spirits of the natural resources of their surroundings. The well-being of their families takes presidence over everything else. These religious beliefs and the sense of family unity are very important assets that need to be introduced to the American culture. 

Fostering Economic Development

The areas in and around Boston are heavily populated by Caribbeans and West Indians with strong work ethics, that is opening up a whole new market for business and investments. There is a need to make more resources and technology available to develop new economic opportunities in this growing community. 

Promoting Peace and Unity

Peace and unity are fundamental in strengthening and developing a community. Caribbean Connection International, Inc.'s Multi-Cultural Festival/ Community Recognition Awards will make racial harmony the focus of the events. 

The 3rd Annual Multi-Cultural Festival will extend over a period of five days and feature a.) Caribbean Music Contest b.) Multi-Cultural Art Exposition c.) High School Writing Contest d.) Community Workshops, and e.) Community Recognition Awards Dinner. 

One of the goals of the Annual Multi-Cultural Festival/ Community Recognition Awards is to raise funds to support CCI's projects within the Caribbean community of the United States and its fight against poverty in the Caribbean islands, especially in the most impoverished island of Haiti. 

Caribbean Music Contest

The Caribbean Music Contest will be held in Boston and will include several music bands. Each band will be invited to send their composition on audio cassette. The music will be aired over local radio to allow the public, along with a board of judges, to select the best composition based on the melody, content (how the music can serve to educate the community) and authenticity. 

Multi-Cultural Art Exposition

The Art Exposition will highlight the beauty and richness of the Caribbean/ West Indian culture through paintings. Several artists from different cultural backgrounds will be invited to expose their artwork and the most expressive piece of art will be selected by a board of judges. 

High School Writing Contest

All high school students of greater Boston are qualified to write an essay on the following subject "The best way to deal with the issues of race for a better America." A board of judges composed of school teachers, college professors and other members of the community will select the best essay based on style, form and content. The winner of this particular contest will receive a scholarship for $500. 

Community Workshops

The members of the community will be invited to sit down and work together in different workshops to find solutions to the following problems that are affecting their community: domestic violence, gang violence, drug and other substance abuses, the public school system and the African-American community. Specialists from the Department of Social Services and the Department of Public Health will be coordinating these workshops. 

Community Recognition

Awards Dinner

From October through January, CCI requests the Caribbean/ West Indian and African-American community to nominate business, religious and non-profit organizations, government agencies, professionals, police officers, politicians, lawyers, medical doctors, community activists or any individual who has made an outstanding contribution to these communities. The winners will be awarded during the Community Recognition Awards Dinner. The Community Recognition Awards is an equal opportunity initiative. Any individual can be nominated without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, or country of origin. ©

The articles printed herein represent the opinons of the authors and not necessarily those of The Boston Connection Magazine. The Boston Connection Magazine assumes no responsibility for the opinions expressed by the contributors to this publication whether or not the articles are signed.

The Boston Connection Magazine accepts unsolicited information about the Caribbean community and considers them for publication.

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