Horatio Alger Article Summary: The Race For Equality
Naarai King
Prof. Stein
ENGL 1301-062
5 December 2013 (Final Draft)
The Race for Equality
In discussions of race, one controversial issue has been on whether or not racism still exists. On one hand, Ken Hamblin’s The Black Avenger believes that racism no longer exists because he is living proof that America works for black people, and that African-Americans have an equal opportunity of obtaining the American Dream. The Horatio Alger myth states “each of us is judged solely based on [one’s] own merits, we each have a fair opportunity to develop those merits and ultimately, merit will out” (304). On the contrary, Harlon L. Dalton’s Horatio Alger article contends that myth and that racism still exists. Racism involves the belief in racial differences, which acts as a …show more content…
The term is commonly used negatively and is usually associated with race-based prejudices, dislikes, discrimination, violence, and/or oppression. Although I agree with both Ken Hamblin and Harlon L. Dalton on certain points, I cannot accept Ken Hamblin’s overall conclusion that racism no longer exists. I undoubtedly agree with more of what is said in the Horatio Alger article that racism is still well and alive. I fully support the conclusion that both parties should take accountability of the nation’s racial issues. White Americans and some Black Americans believe that the American Dream is obtainable now that opportunities are now afforded to African-Americans. In America, African-Americans have sought to be successful however, it has not been based solely off of merit due to privilege, guilt, racial and social barriers that are still prevalent in America. Although White America has opened up opportunities to Black Americans, they have been unequal and biased to the black community. White America should
Prof. Stein
ENGL 1301-062
5 December 2013 (Final Draft)
The Race for Equality
In discussions of race, one controversial issue has been on whether or not racism still exists. On one hand, Ken Hamblin’s The Black Avenger believes that racism no longer exists because he is living proof that America works for black people, and that African-Americans have an equal opportunity of obtaining the American Dream. The Horatio Alger myth states “each of us is judged solely based on [one’s] own merits, we each have a fair opportunity to develop those merits and ultimately, merit will out” (304). On the contrary, Harlon L. Dalton’s Horatio Alger article contends that myth and that racism still exists. Racism involves the belief in racial differences, which acts as a …show more content…
The term is commonly used negatively and is usually associated with race-based prejudices, dislikes, discrimination, violence, and/or oppression. Although I agree with both Ken Hamblin and Harlon L. Dalton on certain points, I cannot accept Ken Hamblin’s overall conclusion that racism no longer exists. I undoubtedly agree with more of what is said in the Horatio Alger article that racism is still well and alive. I fully support the conclusion that both parties should take accountability of the nation’s racial issues. White Americans and some Black Americans believe that the American Dream is obtainable now that opportunities are now afforded to African-Americans. In America, African-Americans have sought to be successful however, it has not been based solely off of merit due to privilege, guilt, racial and social barriers that are still prevalent in America. Although White America has opened up opportunities to Black Americans, they have been unequal and biased to the black community. White America should