Structural Racism And The Causes And Effects Of Hurricane Katrina

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The vulnerability of the black communities due to segregation by the levees and the lack of aid given to the African-American households affected by Katrina are only two ways that showed how the events of Hurricane Katrina were shaped by structural racism. Hurricane Katrina in itself was a disaster for everyone in New Orleans, however, there was also a “second disaster” or “aftershock” that has gotten less publicity, and that was the disaster of structural racism.
Structural Racism is a interconnected system of societal structures that “unintentionally” distribute advantages to white people while creating chronic and adverse results for people of color. This system is predominantly characterized by the same dynamics of white supremacy: exploitation, …show more content…

Additionally, it is exceptionally difficult to pinpoint one cause because it is the result of decades of reinforcing effects between a myriad of cultural norms and societal institutions. This kind of racism is the most profound form of racism as it seems that all forms of racism grow from structural racism. It continuously produces and reproduces new and old forms of racism due to the imprint racial disparities have had throughout history.
Although structural racism exists throughout the United States among many different minority groups including Latino, Asian, Native American, etc., this preferential treatment and privilege given to the white community is best seen during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina between the black and white populations affected. In the aftermath of Katrina, there was a series of “unintended” consequences for the black community based on race and the historical advantages given to the white community.
The reason why many actions to combat racism seem futile is because we focus on the manifestations of racism and fail to realize that all forms of racism stem from structural racism. In order to combat racism in societies such as in New Orleans, we must first understand that our society is built on the oppression of people of color for the benefit of …show more content…

Upon the development of the levees, the lower class (mainly consisting of colored people) was forced to live on low land which was more prone to flooding. These black communities did not have the resources or funds to prevent damage, or repair what had been damaged as a result of the structural racism which forced chronic poverty upon them. This is only one way in which the events of Hurricane Katrina was shaped by structural

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