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Sample Persuasive Speech on Dangers of Racism in U.S

Below is a sample persuasive speech outline on dangers of racism in U.S.

Section Info
Title: Unmasking the Threat: A Persuasive Exploration of Racism’s Perils in the United States
General Purpose: To illuminate the perils of perpetuating racism in the USA.
Specific Purpose: To compel my audience to actively participate in the movement against the unjust targeting of racial minorities in the United States.
Thesis Statement: The imperative of unity in advocating for racial justice and upholding the fundamental right to protest cannot be overstated in our quest to eradicate police brutality and other manifestations of racial discrimination.
Pattern: This speech employs the cause-and-effect organizational pattern, aligning with the persuasive nature of the topic, to delineate the underlying causes, ensuing effects, and proposed solutions regarding racism.
Introduction: Racism remains a pervasive and pressing issue in the United States, persisting despite claims of entering a post-racial era. Its insidious presence infiltrates daily life across the nation, permeating federal institutions and private sectors alike. A stark example of this lies in the unjust targeting of minorities, who are subjected to unwarranted searches solely based on perceived ethnicity, religion, race, or country of origin. Such racial profiling not only flouts constitutional rights to equal protection but also contributes to alarming statistics of deaths due to police brutality, with a staggering 6557 lives lost between 2014 and 2020. Beyond law enforcement, racial discrimination seeps into educational institutions, necessitating a unified call for racial justice and the protection of the fundamental human right to protest against racism.
Attention: As a recent immigrant from Mexico pursuing education in Tarrytown, New York, my brief time in the United States has been marred by the harsh realities of racism, both as an observer and a victim.
Reason to Listen: Our racial background is not a choice; black, white, or brown – we are born into it. However, we have the power to be agents of change by actively opposing racism and advocating for equality.
Credibility: English being my second language, I often struggle with fluency, making my nationality apparent and leading to instances of racial profiling. My advocacy against racism is not just theoretical but stems from personal experiences and a genuine desire to combat injustice.
Preview:
  1. I will start by identifying the root causes of racism that we’ve all encountered or witnessed.
  2. Then, I’ll delve into the detrimental impacts of discrimination against people of color.
  3. Finally, I will present compelling arguments urging you to join the fight against racism by highlighting potential solutions to this societal problem.
Body
Section 1 (First Persuasive Major Point) Main Point 1: Racism is not a spontaneous decision but is often rooted in underlying causes that drive discriminatory behavior.

  1. Supporting Point 1A: Economic disparity plays a significant role in fostering racism, with racial minorities disproportionately coming from middle and low-income backgrounds. Statistics show that African American families, for instance, represent a substantial portion of households living in poverty, comprising 35% of impoverished homes in the country (Source: Jost 1011, Price).
  2. Supporting Point 1B: Negative stereotyping also fuels racism, as seen in situations where individuals are unfairly categorized as criminals based on racial and ethnic characteristics. Law enforcement officers, for example, may rely on biased beliefs about suspects’ appearances, leading to unjust treatment and discrimination (Source: Glaser).
Transition 1: Indeed, the roots of racism may not be as intricate as commonly assumed. However, the critical question remains: are the resulting effects equally straightforward and readily observable?
Section 2 (Second Persuasive Major Point) Main Point 2: The consequences of mistreating racial minorities reverberate throughout society, impacting trust, civil harmony, and overall well-being.

  1. Supporting Point 2A: The escalation of racial profiling and police brutality erodes trust in law enforcement and government leadership, contributing to a sense of disillusionment among affected communities (Source: Jost 1020).
  2. Supporting Point 2B: Pervasive racism within governmental institutions fuels anger and resentment, ultimately fueling civil unrest and social discord over time (Source: Glaser).
Transition 2: Given these escalating tensions and societal fractures, the crucial question emerges: Is there a path towards reconciliation between marginalized communities and those perpetuating racism within our society? This is where each of us can play a pivotal role in fostering understanding and promoting change.
Section 3 (Third Persuasive Major Point) Main Point 3: Every challenge presents an opportunity for resolution, contingent upon acknowledging the issue and dedicating efforts towards its resolution. Racism, often entrenched within systemic structures and government agencies, necessitates comprehensive solutions.

  1. Supporting Point 3A: Implementing stricter regulations to govern the conduct of influential individuals within federal arms and departments is imperative. Such measures, irrespective of background, aim to curtail discriminatory behaviors and foster equitable treatment (Source: Price).
  2. Supporting Point 3B: Furthermore, the establishment of mediation and justice programs focusing on restoration rather than solely policy enforcement is vital. These initiatives should facilitate dialogue between citizen representatives and government officials at both national and local levels to combat racism and discrimination effectively.
Transition 3: Ultimately, fostering a culture of equality and inclusion demands collective action and ongoing commitment from all members of society.
ConclusionReinforce Persuasive Points on Dangers of Racism In conclusion, my journey from Mexico to the United States was initially filled with anticipation, yet it was overshadowed by the pervasive racial discrimination prevalent in the country. I am not alone in this experience, as millions of racial minorities face discrimination solely based on their skin color. This underscores the urgent need for collective action to combat this social injustice and strive towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming America for all its inhabitants. It is incumbent upon each of us to join hands in the fight against racism, working together to build a society where equality and fairness prevail.
Review of Main Points:
  1. The main causes of racism are negative stereotyping and economic disparities, particularly the wealth gap between different socioeconomic groups.
  2. Discrimination against specific communities not only fuels anger and pain, leading to civil unrest, but also erodes trust in law enforcement and governmental institutions.
  3. To address these issues, stricter measures must be implemented to ensure influential individuals treat all citizens equally and fairly. However, it is also crucial for individuals to take an active role in combating racism by not only protesting discriminatory acts but also initiating dialogues and mediations with law enforcement officers and fellow citizens.

In summary, addressing racism requires both systemic changes and individual actions to promote equality, justice, and reconciliation within society.

Quote: “Who we are should not be used to define what we are”  by Bob Hoskins
Works Cited:
  1. Glaser, Jack. “Suspect Race: Causes and Consequences of Racial Profiling | News Center | News Center Suspect-Race-Causes-And-Consequences-Of-Racial-Profiling | Goldman School of Public Policy | University Of California, Berkeley”. Gspp.Berkeley.Edu, 2014, https://gspp.berkeley.edu/news/news-center/suspect-race-causes-and-consequences-of-racial-profiling.
  2. Jost, Kenneth. “Racial Profiling: Are Minorities Unfairly Targeted By Police?”. In-Depth Reports On Today’s Issues, vol 23, no. 42, 2013, pp. 1005-1028., Accessed 27 Oct 2020.
  3. Price, Tom. “Inequality In America: Can The Growing Wealth Gap Be Closed?”. In-Depth Reports On Today’s Issues, vol 30, no. 15, 2020, Accessed 27 Oct 2020.