Movie: White Like Me

Today in class we watched a documentary by Tim Wise, taking a look at systemic racism in America. The documentary was based of a book he had written called White Like Me the documentary also going by the same name. The documentary primarily focused on American racism and how it has negativity effected our laws and policies. Here are some of the policies he claimed had racial bias built into them.

Gi Bill: The original GI bill signed into law June, 22 1944 has been credited with helping millions of veterans get education and housing. After World War 2 president Roosevelt wanted to make sure the men returning home where taken care of making sure that they where educated, could find jobs, and find affordable actions. However not all where included, only white men where granted this privilege. This action held back the minority communities in the United States even more. Causing many of the returning not white men to fall into poverty after their return home.

Housing Loans: Housing loans where a major advantage given to veterans after the war, another extension of the GI bill. Along with money set aside for education money was also set aside for affordable housing. Many other programs besides the GI bill in latter years would add onto housing assistants. However again most of these housing benefits where reserved just for whites.

Preferential Schooling: Another advantaged white had compared to black and other minorities was aces to schooling. White families either by themselves or with assistance for many years where able to choose between many more schools compared to black families. Both public and private schools where regularly open to them. While blacks where typically confined to either one or two options. This significantly hurt their education, and denied them equal access.

However, after the end of the Jim crow era it has gotten better. Most people regardless of race have almost equal access to the same opportunities. However, because of raced based discrimination in the past minority communities are behind compared to white ones. It will take time to repair these damages but it appears that America is on the right path.