Benefits and Challenges of Proposed Changes

One of the changes proposed to address systemic racism is ensuring systemic equality.
Systemic equality has not been achieved in a long tie despite efforts advocating for the same.
Since America was founded, there have been several policies that have been deeply rooted in
racism. Some of the policies, such as residential segregation, have had long-term effects on
Black people and other people of color (Tokaji, 2018). The policies have also led to an unequal
system that generations have inherited over the years. One of the challenges faced in ensuring
systemic equality is that the effects of systemic racism are far-reaching. Achieving systemic
racism is thus an intensive endeavor requiring not only time but also many resources.
It is, however, possible to overcome this challenge by addressing the change from all
quarters. Since the aim is to achieve systemic equality, efforts should be made to achieve
equality within all existing systems. Making healthcare affordable and accessible for all, such as
through the universal healthcare policies. It is also possible to make education and wealth
acquisition possible for all people in all areas. When everyone is allowed to take part in a
democratic process, where they can enjoy their true political power, they will enjoy the true
fruits of equality (O’Day & Smith, 2016). When people elect leaders with whom they share
values, they work towards creating equality.
The challenge is that chattel slavery and discriminatory policies created scars over
centuries. These are deep and will require a real investment from all parts of society to change. It
is necessary to reconcile the past. It is, however, not easy. It has not been possible in the past few
centuries since slavery was abolished. Civil rights movements, advocates, and non-governmental
organizations that have been devoted to eradicating systemic racism and creating a society

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characterized by fairness have not been fruitful (Feagin & Elias, 2013). It is thus a challenge that
needs more than has already been implemented.
The issue is that there is weak coordination of mechanisms. Bodies of the government
and non-governmental organizations do not seem to have a coordinated approach toward
implementing policies that will help achieve equality. Since the issue has been ongoing for many
years, a lot of research and data is necessary to come up with and implement the right policies
that will effectively achieve the desired change. However, the lack of sufficient data is an issue
that requires adequate financing to overcome. It is necessary to fund organizations that will
conduct research and equip the system with adequate information on the policies that should be
implemented to overcome the challenges being faced.
There is also the challenge of limited scope and coverage of interventions. When the
services do not reach everyone when they need them, and the interventions are not implemented
in the required magnitude to achieve the required change, then the policies may be challenging to
implement (Hutchinson, 2022). When policies are implemented in only select areas and
institutions, then the necessary change may be difficult to implement. This can be overcome by
ensuring that the interventions are widely implemented and have a wide scope to cover all
affected areas. This way, it will be possible to achieve equality and eradicate systemic racism.
The implementation of the proposed changes could be beneficial in several ways. First, it
will help ensure that marginalized groups no longer feel inferior or left out. Systemic racism
makes marginalized groups feel inferior (Feagin & Barnett, 2019). With its elimination, this will
no longer be the case. Black people and other people of color will no longer view white people
as privileged. They will also not view the system as one against them. When the system does not
favor any one race, there will be unity and equality everywhere in the country. When an event

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occurs, for instance, police brutality, it will no longer be viewed as one race against another. It
will be viewed as an issue affecting all members of the community, and that should be addressed
by all concerned parties.
Further, achieving systemic equality through implementing policies that will enhance the
same will ensure that everyone in society has an equal chance to access all social amenities and
services. Issues such as affordable and accessible healthcare will no longer be an issue. Wealth
will be equally distributed. Social amenities and services will be accessed by everyone, whether
they live in rural or urban areas. They will also be accessible to everyone, whether they are
White or Black (Feagin & Barnett, 2019). For the first time in the history of America, people will
be equal. It is such a big deal because history has shown that systemic racism is a problem that
affects the fabric of American society. This has been the case for decades and even centuries. If
change was to be achieved, then a new American society would be created. It will be a historical
moment for everyone, and more so for the disadvantaged communities. Overall, these changes
will help create a fair society, one that is sensitive to the needs of all the members of the
community.

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References

Feagin, J. R., & Barnett, B. M. (2019). Success and failure: How systemic racism trumped the
Brown v. Board of Education decision. U. Ill. L. Rev., 1099.
Feagin, J., & Elias, S. (2013). Rethinking racial formation theory: A systemic racism
critique. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 36(6), 931-960.
Hutchinson, D. L. (2022). ‘With All the Majesty of the Law’: Systemic Racism, Punitive
Sentiment, and Equal Protection. California Law Review.
O’Day, J. A., & Smith, M. S. (2016). Quality and equality in American education: Systemic
problems, systemic solutions. In The dynamics of opportunity in America (pp. 297-358).
Springer, Cham.
Tokaji, D. P. (2018). Denying systemic equality: The last words of the Kennedy court. Harv. L.
& Pol’y Rev., 13, 539.