"Killing rage" African Americans Place in Society.
Is racism a problem of the past? Some people may not associate racism with their daily life, but in reality racism is all around; we just need to open up our eyes and see it. "Killing Rage" by Bell Hooks is a good representation of how racism, stereotypes, and the mass media all contribute to African Americans place in society.
Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the rights of the African American people. They wanted equal rights and desegregation, but even today we do not have equal rights or a desegregated society. Sure it still exists, but to a lesser extent than it did in Malcolm X's time. Racism is the practice of racial discrimination or segregation. There are three basic forms of racism, open racism, violent racism, and covert racism, they all express forms of hatred towards distinct ethnic groups. These basic forms of racism, although different in form, all have the same main purpose, to promote racism. Open racism expresses freedom of racial thought and speech. Open racists promote their views through strictly persuasive tactics. This form of racism is allowed in our society because of the First Amendment. Open racism is currently almost nonexistent and steadily declining, because it is considered politically incorrect and socially unacceptable. Violent racism promotes racism through violence, fear, and persuasive methods. This form of racism is not protected by the First Amendment because it promotes violence to express its ideas. Covert racism expresses ideas of racism in disguised forms; sometimes the covert racist is not even aware of the fact that he is racist. "They kept explaining to her in loud voices as though she is a child, as though she is a foreigner who does not speak airline English." (102) "White folks promote black victimization, encourage passivity by rewarding those folks who whine, grovel, beg, and obey.