RACISM
It's surprising that many people believe race is no longer an issue in the United States. Though as a nation we have made tremendous strides in extending privileges, rights, and opportunities to people of all different backgrounds, inequality still exists. My interest in racism first arose when I took an Introduction to African-American Studies class in high school and in that class, I became aware of the many debates on how racism began, why it still exists, and how it can be alleviated. I also took "Race, Class, and Gender," which related racial problems to classism and sexism. The first step to eliminating a problem is to understand that problem. Through research, I have learned much about the hate crimes committed against specific groups and efforts to stop them. These essays share my opinions on whether actions taken against such discrimination have been effective.