Derek Bell's Article: Is Racism Permanent?

Is Racism Permanent?

To respond to the question, “Is Racism permanent” comments made by Derek Bell in his article, “Faces at the Bottom of the Well,” and by Peggy Macintosh in her article, “White Privilege” will be explored. This essay will offer a closer look at the authors’ theories on the permanency of Racism in United States (US).

First, Bell being a Black man, his theory on racism is questionable and of which I have paraphrased, loosely, in the following statement. Bell stated: Racism is permanent and Black people might as well accept that they are the subordinate race and always will be (Bell, para 12). Bell went on to say in his article, again loosely paraphrased: When Black people accept being subordinate to White people they will

(McIntosh, para

The Jews being a prime example and on the top of the assimilation spectrum, while the Native Americans, Hispanics, and Black are on the opposite and bottom end of the assimilation spectrum, thus not assimilated. However, it should be pointed out here, “White Privileged persons will quickly to say, "Black people have the same privileges to education as White people.” Though that might be somewhat true, nowadays, but was far from the truth prior to 1968. Because in 1968 the school doors were pried opened and segregation was determined unlawful in “all states” across the US (tolerance.org). For this first time, Black people were given access to education, especially college degree educations, in a similar fashion to that of the “White Privileged.” But today’s “White Privileged” should also consider, Black people were in slavery in American for more than 450 years and have only been emancipated for about 150 years? And of that 150 years, only less than 50 years can it be said Black people have had a real leeway towards higher education. Thus, how can anyone, Bell, McIntosh, or any other person say that Black people should have climbed out of the 450-year-old hole-of slavery and into