Do Victims of Racism or Sexism Suffer More?

Both racism and sexism have been around for ages and both continue to appear in our society, although as some may argue, not nearly as often and widespread as in times past. Both of these things cause great harm to those who are victims of them, but I'd have to say that victims of racism suffer far more then victims of sexism.

Before plunging head first into the reasons why, it is important that one considers the way racism and sexism exist in our American society today as compared to it's existence in earlier times. Both once existed in such a blatant way that there were actually laws forbidding people of certain races or a certain sex from doing things that the rest of society was allowed to do. Discrimination was not only accepted in earlier times, it was backed and supported by the American government.

Why does this brief history lesson matter now? It matters because in today's American society laws actually protect against racism and sexism yet both still are present. The difference besides law today is that a lot of people willingly participate in racism/sexism and some may argue are even willing 'victims' of it. Take the concept of affirmative action, reparations or welfare. Many people see these systems as being beneficial in the fight to end racism, but in reality there are a number of 'victims' who abuse the system and use their race as a way to get something beneficial based on their skin color. I hardly see that as beneficial to ending racism.