Theme Of Racial Inequality In Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward

1865 Words8 Pages

In Edward Bellamy’s classic novel, “Looking Backward”, readers are transported to a seemingly perfect society where equality and prosperity are the norms. However, while Bellamy’s vision of a utopia is appealing, it fails to address one critical issue that still plagues American society today: racial disparities and biases. It is clear that eliminating racial disparities plays a crucial role in moving toward a utopia. The issue of racial inequality and systemic racism in America is not new, but it is one that continues to persist today. The racial wealth gap, disparities within healthcare, and unequal distribution of resources and opportunities are just a few examples of the ongoing racial inequality in the United States. The concept of …show more content…

According to Bridges in “Implicit Bias and Racial Disparities in Health Care”, patients of color are more likely to pass away compared to white patients. For example, the statistics on breast cancer reveal a glaring disparity. Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, despite having lower incidence rates. This is not solely due to genetics or lifestyle, it indicates that racial biases within the healthcare system may be resulting from these patients receiving inferior care. The healthcare system is supposed to provide care based on need, not on race or ethnicity. Implicit biases also contribute to racism within healthcare. Implicit biases are unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that can affect our actions and decisions, often without our awareness. In healthcare, implicit biases may lead providers to assume that patients of color are less compliant with treatment or less knowledgeable about their health. This results in lower-quality …show more content…

According to the article “Causes and consequences of separate and unequal neighborhoods”, the housing and neighborhood differences between black and white families have been a significant factor in creating separate but equal neighborhoods. This article explains that black people are more likely to live in rural neighborhoods or homes, while white people reside mostly in suburbs. This disparity in housing and neighborhoods between black and white families can have a significant impact on their lives. The article “Racial Discrimination in the united states: Human Rights Watch”, explains that housing discrimination and segregation led to limited access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, among many other things. Living in neighborhoods with limited access to essential resources and opportunities can have grave consequences. This primarily affects the black community. The lack of access to resources and opportunities leads to a myriad of problems, including inadequate healthcare, poor education, low-wage jobs, and limited social mobility. The Human Rights Watch report notes that this results in a disproportionate number of black people living in poverty, facing higher rates of incarceration and police brutality, as well as experiencing worse health outcomes. The consequences of unequal neighborhoods can be long-lasting and