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Can the Growing Mixed-Race Population Save America from Its Race Problem?’

Rankin (2017) the author of ‘Can the Growing Mixed-Race Population Save America from Its Race Problem?’ analyses the remedy to the racial division and the ethical gap between Americans. Race and ethnic issues have dominated the political history of United States since the European colonization of America by Western Europe naval powers in 17th century. This, according to Rankin (2017), introduced a multi-racial state where the White Europeans established a more dominant racial identity than the Native Americans and others races from Asia and Africa. The author indicates that the debate of racism and ethnicity in todays’ America is weaponized to limit access to justice and equality for some ethical groups. Rankin (2017) cites that America still lags behind in the fight against racial segregation and color line. However, the author cites that multiracial brethren can save America from racism and ethical boundaries by citing a New York Times op-ed which outlined the benefits of being multiracial. The author references studies that support and oppose a multicultural population to be the vaccine that protects the nation from the type of racist rhetoric that marshaled Donald Trump into the White House.

In an article referenced by Rankin (2017), Alexandros Orphanides highlights that Americans often fantasize that a mixed race future will free America from clutches of racism. However, the author highlight that this solution is incompatible with America being governed by Donald Trump who won with "Make America Great Again" campaign, which many critics rephrase it to "Make America White Again." Racial demographic trends are currently pointing in the opposite direction despite mixed race population growing three times faster than the general single race population. Rankin (2017) cites different experts who indicate that mixed-race population are actually not immune to racial discrimination suffered by other people of color. In addition, Rankin (2017) analyses cases of race in the United States by pointing out that the current political arena are championed by classifying people especially immigrants based on their race and ethnic backgrounds.

In relevance to the Rankin opinion which highlights the racial veil as a double consciousness which is experienced by mixed race population. Beyond the veil, mixed race people experienced racial discrimination because of their inability to identify themselves with a specific white racial hierarchy. Rankin (2017) adds that “many mixed-race people find themselves discriminated against, not explicitly because of their mixed-ness, but because of their belonging to a non-White group.” The manifestation of the color line which defines people access to institutions and opportunities deters white people from viewing the other communities as fellow countrymen. Therefore, the hope of mixed race to deter racism is misleading as it presents racism as nonfunctioning reflex which will fade with the presence of interracial offspring’s rather than an active system which will change the notion of racism with time.

The article introduces many crucial social concepts which include color line, double consciousness and the experience of having a mixed race in America. Rankin wrote this article with the aim of showing readers the striving and struggles in America’s fight against racism. The article also gives insights into the history of the race which was created by the society in their pursuit to be better than each other. The author proposes that the main problem in fighting racial segregation is norm of a mixed race population. In the 21st century, the issue of race still exists with endless efforts to lose to improve race relation.

References

Rankin K. (2017, March 13). READ: Can the Growing Mixed-Race Population Save America From Its Race Problem? Retrieved from https://www.colorlines.com/articles/read-can-growing-mixed-race-population-save-america-its-race-problem