The roots of inequality go as far back as 1619 - when the first Africans arrived in Virginia as slaves. This marked the start of systemic racial equality. Even after the Independence, which clearly states that "all men are created equal" - this excluded enslaved people and indigenous communities. It was the 13 Amendments that ended slavery, but racial inequality was institutionalized, and hate crimes and segregation were just beginning.

While the Civil War turned out to be successful in abolishing slavery, the gap between people of color persisted. This led to the establishment of the KKK. A white supremacist hate group that became a violent organization. They used terror, lynchings, and intimidation to suppress Black progress.

Even though everyone was considered equal – the gap and segregation prevailed. This is because the Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson legalized the "separate but equal" ideology. This further institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination.

If you think that the white supremacy ideology is new – then you are wrong. The concept and idea of white supremacy have been a recurring force that further created racial divides. The main aim of these groups is to maintain a racial hierarchy that marginalizes non-white communities. This is exactly what led to the wave of marginalized riots that erupted across the US in 1919. These riots had white mobs attacking Black communities in response to their growing demands for civil rights and fair treatment.

To understand the extent of how systemic oppressional and racism are embedded in American society, you should learn about “redlining.” It was a highly discriminatory practice under which people from black neighborhoods were denied mortgages. This policy depends on racial segregation and wealth gaps. While this practice is marked as “illegal” today, it has taken a new turn, and it is called “Digital Redlining.” It involves practices that limit access to essential online resources, services, and opportunities for certain communities, particularly lower-income and minority populations.

The murder of the Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr proved that racial inequality and oppression still existed. This assassination plunged the nation into grief and protests.

Crimes and their punishments were not even just or equal. During the War on Drugs, the policies that were set disproportionately targeted communities of color, particularly Black and Latino neighborhoods. Laws like the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act established harsh penalties for crack cocaine offenses (which were common in Black Communities), whereas powder cocaine (consumed by White communities) carried lighter penalties. This led to mass incarceration. Black Americans were arrested and imprisoned at far higher rates than whites for drug offenses.

The September 11 attacks gave a sharp rise to religious violence. After the attack, Muslims were perceived to be terrorists, and they were actively targeted. Hate crimes that include vandalizing Muslim shops mosques, verbal hate, and physical attacks, and discrimination became common. This marked a turning point in anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S.

From racism to ethnic violence and religious riots, everything was growing in America. The Sikh temple shooting is evidence of this. A white supremacist attacked a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, which killed six people in a hate-motivated act.

The killing of unarmed Black teen Trayvon Martin leads to the formation of the Black Lives Matter movement. This incident also brought a new term to light, which was “police brutality.” People started noticing how differently police treated white Americans compared to people of color. Through BLM, people started to raise their voices against systemic racism and police violence.

Even after BLM, not many changes were seen. The ongoing threat of racially motivated crime and violence was exposed when a white supremacist killed nine Black churchgoers during a Bible study.

“Unite the Right Rally,” which was declared an unlawful gathering, was proof of how far-right extremism rhetoric and ideologies are dangerous and violent. This was the defining moment in America's struggle with race, hate, and legacies. The rally was conducted for white nationalism and to protect the “white heritage.” White supremacists march openly, leading to violent physical, verbal, and abusive clashes.

One of the key things that we want to highlight is that the racial divide, systemic oppression, and discrimination are not just among people. It's the government policies that normalize it as well. For example, the Trump administration's travel ban targeting Muslim-majority institutionalized Islamophobia. Such policies reinforce stereotypes and discrimination.

Police brutality and systemic racism became international narratives after George Floyd’s death. The words “I can’t breathe” still echo in our minds, with the haunting image of George Floyd handcuffed on the ground, with an officer's knee pressing relentlessly on his neck. This incident sparked global protests, and people called for justice and equality.

The white superiority and racial tensions are still a defining issue in modern America. COVID-19 not only resulted in deaths but also brought out the anti-Asian hate, xenophobia, and scapegoating that's rooted in America.