Independence and the Conditions of Non-Whites

Independence and the Conditions of Non-Whites

Introduction

Independence Day in the US is marked with a variety of celebrations across the counties. However, it should be noted that Independence Day did not result to significant changes in the lives of the Non-Whites. According to Adams & Harbert (1986), the United States Independence heightened tensions in the country as the White population strived to do away with the notion of equality that was been promoted. Some of the problems that persisted after the United States Independence include racial discrimination, segregation, and inequality. The relationship between the Whites and Non-Whites was characterized by tension as the Whites believed that people of other decent did not have the same potential as they did. Thus, this explains the view that the upper white class and intellectuals deemed people of Non-White decent.

This paper explicates the problems that persisted among the Non-White population after the United States independence. In addition, the paper explores how the upper White Class and intellectuals viewed the Non-White population.

Firstly, there was a lack of change in terms of equality as the White population continued to deem itself superior to the other races. Inequality was a significant problem before independence as the Non-White population was deemed fit for the less prestigious tasks in the society. However, after independence, the White population was disillusioned with how they can compete with the Non-White population for the same jobs that were only available to them before independence and that is why the problem persisted. Notably, inequality was not only in the job sector, as it was rampant in other areas such as transport and education whereby the Non-White population was segregated from the Whites population in terms of the schools they attended.

The aforementioned problem regarding inequality in schools attended can be well understood through exploring racial discrimination, which forms the second problem that persisted after the declaration of the United States independence. Harris & Tichenor (2009) intimate that this is the immense problem that the Non-White population suffered from after independence. The Non-White population were discriminated against in various fields including education, transport and places that they could visit freely. The Black population is the one that suffered the most from racial discrimination as they were forced to attend schools and even travel on their own.

There was a lack of unity in the US after independence, which was perpetuated by the segregation policies present at that time. Adams & Harbert (1986) indicate that this problem was heightened by a policy such as miscegenation that restricted interracial marriages. Research asserts that the term miscegenation came into been long after the US acquired its independence and that by then intermarriages were forbidden especially between the White and Black populations.

Harris & Tichenor (2009) allude that the upper class population and intellectuals deemed the Non-White population as less intellectual and only fit for manual jobs. They did not believe that the Non-Whites could contribute significantly to the development of the society by rising up the ladder, to become professionals such as teachers.

In conclusion, several points have been identified, which persisted after the United States independence to the Non-White population. These problems include racial discrimination, inequality, and segregation. These problems indicate that the US independence came at a time when the country was not ready for changes as the White population was not prepared to compete fairly in the job market with the Non-White population. Racial discrimination ranks top of the list as the Non-Whites were prevented from using the same facilities as the White population. The White Upper Class and intellectuals deemed the Non-White population as only fit for manual labor and could not ascend the career ladder, to be like them.