Racism and Anti-Semitism

Racism and Anti-Semitism: Is it still A Problem in the United States? Melody D. Rahimi Logic Dr. Fail November 19, 2011 Racism and Anti-Semitism: Is it still A Problem in the United States? Racism and Anti-Semitism is an old debate. Although, most everyone thinks racism is objectionable, which ranges from cognitive, economic, or moral. Racism is the belief that human beings can be divided into races and that members of some races are inferior to members of other races. (Null, 2011). Anti-Semitism is prejudice against Jews. Racism and anti-Semitism is complex and still is a problem in the United States. Argument There are still racism and anti-Semitism crimes in the United States. In 2010, law enforcement agencies reported that 3,725 single-bias hate crime offenses were racially motivated. (Hate Crime, 2010). Of these offenses 69. 8 percent were motivated by anti-black bias. 18. 2 percent stemmed from anti-white bias. 5. 7 percent were a result of bias against groups of individuals consisting of more than one race (anti-multiple races, group. 5. 1 percent resulted from anti-Asian/Pacific Islander bias. 1. 2 percent were motivated by anti-American Indian/Alaskan Native bias. The Anti-Defamation League's annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents recorded 1,239 anti-Semitic incidents across the United States in 2010, which represents a 2. 3% increase over 2009. These included 22 physical assaults on Jewish individuals (down from 29 in 2009). There were 900 cases of anti-Semitic harassment, threats and events (up from 760 in 2009). Lastly, there were 317 cases of anti-Semitic vandalism (down from 422 in 2009). (Anti-Semitism, 2010). These statics show a slight increase in incidents and that racism and anti-Semitism still exists in the United States. There is till problem in the United States with racism and anti-Semitism. Racism and Anti-Semitism has existed throughout history. Racism is defined as hatred towards another – the belief that the other person is less human – because of language, place of birth, skin color, or customs. Racism has influenced every aspect of culture from wars, slavery, and nations. The United States power towards non-Am ericans has had a significant impact on history than any other form of racism. The first example of America is slavery. Slavery happened because the racist believed that Black Americans were less human than whites. The anger toward the Jews dates to the beginning of Jewish history. Christianity increased the hatred of the Jew. While America is caught up in racial uproar, the Middle East is center for the most anti-Semitism. (Hate Crime, 2010). Most Jewish Americans are moderate to liberal in their political affiliations. They are strong supporters of civil liberties and support clear separation of church and state, perhaps recalling their ancestors’ persecutions at the hands of religious authorities. The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913 to combat anti-Semitism, continues to monitor and report anti-Semitic incidents in the United States. It also supports civil liberties and a pro-Israeli foreign policy. (Anti-Semitism, 2010). Knowing the history of racism and anti-Semitism allows us to see that the problem has not been resolved over time. There is still a problem in the United States. There is a deductive argument for racism. Racism is a problem (P is S). Problem is unresolved (S is I). Therefore, racism is unresolved. (P is I). Then the inductive argument for racism is n 2010, of the 6,624 single bias incidents. There were 47. 3 percent were motivated by a racial bias (P). In 2009, Of the 6,598 single-bias incidents, 48. percent were motivated by a racial bias (P). In 2008, of the 7,780 single-bias incidents revealed that 51. 3 percent were motivated by a racial bias, (P). In 2011, of the single bias incidents, at least forty five percent will be motivated by racial bias. There is a deductive argument for Anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is a problem. (P is S). Problem is unresolved (S is I). Therefore, Anti-Semitism is unresolved. (P is I). Then the inductive argument for anti-Semitism is in 2010, 1,239 anti-Semitic incidents across the United States (P). In 2009, there were 1,211 anti-Semitic incidents across the United States (P). In 2008, there were 1,352 anti-Semitic incidents across the United States (P). In 2011, of the anti-Semitic incidents across the United States, there will be 1,200. Of the agreements presented, there is still a problem with racism and anti-Semitism in the United States. Counter-Thesis and Counter-Argument However, there are other thoughts on racism and anti-Semitism. The counter thesis or argument would be that racism and anti-Semitism is not a problem in the United States today. One might say this is a moral argument. According to Mossler, â€Å"Moral arguments are different from other kinds of arguments. The main difference is this behind every conclusion about what â€Å"should† be done, ethically speaking, there is a value or values. Also, the values that underlie our moral arguments can typically be boiled down to three main kinds this problem would be considered values that relate to freedom (justice, respect, rights, equality, and so on). † (Mossler, 2010). Response to Counter-Thesis The response to the counter-thesis is although it is a moral argument, the deductive and inductive arguments premises and conclusions state that there is still a problem with racism and anti-Semitism in the United States. Therefore, there is still a problem in the United States. â€Å"Social theorists dispute whether, in its essence, racism is a belief or an ideology of racial inferiority, a system of social oppression on the basis of race, a form of discourse, discriminatory conduct, or an attitude of contempt or heartlessness (and its expression in individual or collective behavior). † (Racism, 1999). â€Å"Although virtually everyone thinks racism objectionable, people disagree over whether its central defect is cognitive (irrationality, prejudice), economic/prudential (inefficiency), or moral (unnecessary uffering, unequal treatment). † (Racism, 1999). Today one hears charges of unconscious, covert, institutional, paternalistic, benign, anti-racist, liberal, and even reverse racism. Racism is widely regarded as involving ignorance, irrationality, unreasonableness, injustice, and other intellectual and moral vices, to such an extent that today virtually no one is willing to accept the classification of oneself, one’s beliefs, and so on, as racist, except in contexts of self-reproach. As a result, classifying anything as racist, beyond the most egregious cases, is a serious charge and is often hotly disputed. † (Racism, 1999). In conclusion, people vary in their opinions about racism and anti-Semitism. These topics are an old debate. Although, most everyone thinks racism is objectionable, which ranges from cognitive, economic, or moral. Racism and anti-Semitism is complex and still is a problem in the United States. After reading the statics and history, we can believe that racism and anti-Semitism is still a problem in the United States. We can testify that we have witnessed or seen racism or anti-Semitism in our life. References The Anti-Defamation League. (1913). Retrieved from http://www. adl. org/main_Anti_Semitism_Domestic/default. htm Anti-Semitism. (2010). In Culture Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices. Retrieved from http://www. credoreference. com/entry/sharpecw/anti_semitism Hate Crime. FBI. http://www. fbi. ov/about-us/cjis/ucr/hate-crime/2010/resources/hate-crime-2010-about-hate-crime (adapted from the sixth edition of the APA Publication Manual,  © 2010) Mosser, K. (2011). An introduction to logic. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (https://content. ashford. edu) Nunn, Kenneth B. â€Å"Anti-Semitism. † World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. Nunn, Kenneth B. â€Å"Racism. † World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. Racism. (1999). In The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://www. credoreference. com/entry/cupdphil/racism