Race Relations

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program that is designed to bring
all races together. Will it work? Or will minorities look upon the effort
as nothing more than a Band-Aid covering a much larger issue? To some
extent, concepts such as affirmative action have their place in society,
yet they will do nothing to alter an individual's perception of one race or
another.

I. ADOLESCENT ASPECT

In the past, childrens' racial viewpoints have routinely been shaped by
their parents' perceptions. This is precisely how racial prejudice is
passed down from generation to generation. However, today's teens appear
to be breaking free of the antiquated procession by voicing their own
opinions about race relations. While racial hate crimes continue to run
rampant, the newer generation tends to believe there is less interracial
tension than do their parents (Farley, 1997).

What has instigated this considerably lax attitude among the younger
generation is not quite clear; yet a TIME/CNN poll has discovered that ...

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the African-American adolescents who responded said the problem was
small or did not exist at all. Amazingly, the Caucasian respondents --
both young and old -- considered racism a more "dominant issue" (Farley,
1997; 88+) than did the African-American adolescent respondents.

What does that say about the varying impressions of race relations?
Depending upon which race is viewing the issue, it appears the seriousness
of the problem could be considerably damaging or an insignificant obstacle.
Still, optimism is high that the younger generation deems race relations as
being in good standing. This may be a "sign of hope" (Farley, 1997; 88+)
or nothing more than "youthful naivete" (88+); ...

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