The Presence of a Racisl Caste System in Modern America

Obama's presence as the President of the United States is largely focused on the color of his skin. When he first ran, even the option of having a non-white president was seen as progress for America and its history of racism. His slogan of hope prevailed and citizens waited for the change to occur. Obama not only embodied the American dream, but his race was a reminder of the equality that is accessible in the United States. He symbolized the result of years of progress against racism and his victory in the election united the nation in the defeat. Yet, America was too quick to celebrate. The presence of a racial caste system is not abolished within society and there is strong evidence that we have not "moved beyond race."

The Racial Caste System in Modern America

In an article by Michelle Alexander, evidence of a surviving racial caste system is examined through statistics. Comparing the facts from America's most racist time periods to modern day society suggests that a "racial caste system is alive and well in America." The nation's "color blindness" is refuted by the number of African Americans under correctional control, disenfranchised, disintegrated, or imprisoned. One large explanation for the unequal caste system is the Drug War. Alexander states, "This war has been waged almost exclusively in poor communities of color." It is largely responsible for increasing the amount of inmates in prison. Yet, the political agenda has used the drug war to their advantage. By cracking down on drug offenses, the strategy used "racially coded political appeals on issues of crime and welfare to attract poor and working class white voters who were resentful of, and threatened by,