Racism perpetuates the social hierarchy. Inferiority and superiority are the structures of modern society. Racial inequality is a big part of society. The social hierarchy is a complex topic to understand. Society will never accept groups because of the social hierarchy. 

While reading Othello, I was able to start visualizing the microaggressions he faced because of his skin. People do not like change or different perspectives on anything, especially when Iago mentions an“old black ram is tupping your white ewe”. Iago talks about Othello’s skin color with a negative connotation that heavily correlates to the social hierarchy. He is disregarded throughout the story and seen as lesser.

Racism has been a big problem throughout the entire world, especially during the time of George Floyd’s death. His death was publicized and protesters marched the streets during the peak of COVID-19 to express their opinions. Cops were forced to be held accountable for their actions and the George Floyd movement sparked many others just like it. With all this protesting, the hate crimes against black people raised and caused problems for other races as well.  In society at this time, some of the worst hate crimes in recent times happened in this period. 

Image description: a black person and a white person’s hand barely touching on different colored backgrounds

I could listen to an artist I had not listened to previously. The song was called Shoes by Lupe Fiasco. It heavily discussed the George Floyd protests and the hardships black people faced during 2020. Often referring to the audience, he portrayed situations and feelings about his race during an oppressive time in a song about shoes. Lupe Fiasco sang “White kid at the front let me go first ’cause I was black”, discussing the newer ways he was treated during this time of high racism. Black people started to become lower than they were before and society started to adapt negatively to the hierarchy of humans. 

Racism is something that a majority of the population has experienced at some point. If you go to a foreign place, ninety percent of the time, you will experience society and the general public treating you differently because you look different. Social hierarchy based on race is incredibly hurtful and negatively affects all involved.