Race as a concept has been the basis on which social, political, economic and cultural relationships are formed and determined. A notion of racial correctness then arises depending on an individual’s racial affiliation. According to Omi and Winant, the concept of racial formation and racialization has a long history dating back to the seventeenth century the era of slavery. However prior to the slavery era there existed racial groupings based on the presence of distinctive features setting people apart. In this regarding race determined how an individual or an entire group could benefit economically. Whites who were indeed racially superior in this cases were and continue to be the biggest economic beneficiaries. The notion of whites being more superior was compounded by religious and scientific thinkers who placed a lot of emphasis on race being a central feature in economic perspectives. On the other hand being black was viewed with prejudice and negative stereotypes which made people of this race to be exploited. More so the blacks were considered racially inferior in what Omi and Winant terms as racial categorization as they were at the bottom of the racial stratification. Consequently, slavery, extermination, denial of rights and expropriation of property crept into the picture which accelerated racial discrimination
Omi & Winant in this argument asserts that race and property are intrinsically related an assertion that rings true to a great extent. The whites basically owned the production means and this was economically superior even before other races came in the picture. More so social scientists considered white as being a “pure” breed setting them at the top of the economic pyramid. Once it was established that other races existed by European explorers in the New World, then economic discrimination set in. As a result, owning of production, means were based on one’s racial affiliation. Whites had the right to own property while the racially different who lacked apolitical and a social holding ended up being slaves for the white masters. In essence, then, one's race became a determining factor on whether or not one can own or not own property.
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Omi and Winant are concerned about how Black and Natives Americans who had different historical ended up in the similar economic situation. One would claim that race which is a dominant aspect when it comes to determining relationships had a role to play. In as much as their historical experiences differ, their racial distinctiveness remains elusive. The Blacks were essentially discriminated against due to their obvious distinctive skin color but racial markings go beyond the skin color. There exist racial rankings which played a role in disadvantaging even the Native Americans. For example, the Irish at the West Coast were violent toward the Chinese workers fuelling the racial tension. In this regard, racial tags were much more spread and ended pooling all races into a racial tussle.
Racial problem is quite an intricate issue which is deeply rooted in the United States. Being a social construct, the racial concern goes beyond peoples understanding as it defines relationships. Stereotypes generated by racial profiling are deeply entrenched in peoples mind and it is compounded by the existing media. A proposal for an Affirmative Action, therefore, may not be the solution to this social problem. Numerous attempts to end racial profiling, segregation and discrimination have not yielded the desired results. The efforts go back to slavery days in an attempt to view the slaves as people with equal rights with the Whites. There have been challenges, which are social, cultural and political in nature derailing these efforts. As such, ownership of property, as well as occupying seats of power, is likely to be dictated by ones racial affiliation in the coming days. Nonetheless, it is important for the concerned stakeholders to continually seek out strategies to aid in assimilating individuals from various races in equal measures.
Reference
Omi, M. & Winant, H. (1994). Racial formation in the United States: From the 1960s to the 1990s (2nd Ed.). New York: Routledge.
