The Immorality of Racism

Date

2019

Authors

Peevy, Logan

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Office of the Vice President for Research

Abstract

This case study of an archival object questions the morality of racism. The archive is an educational flyer created by the SNCC that explains a sickle cell anemia genocide against African Americans in the United States. The increasing death rate due to the illness was tied to the government neglecting to educate the public on the mentioned disease that was severely affecting the Black community. Racism is analyzed through the perspective of philosopher Immanual Kant. The concept of racism is put through Kant's Contradiction in Conception morality test, and fails. Racism also violates Kant's moral obligation to treat individuals with dignity and respect. Therefore, racism is morally impermissible and the U.S. government was wrong for neglecting the needs of the African American community.

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