Group Prejudice

I believe that much "racial" prejudice is not racial at all.  It seems much more likely to me that there is developing an increasing conflict between socio-economic classes, specifically the middle- and working class people and the "gangsta/rebel" groups.  I say groups because they are belong to all "ethnic" groups in all kinds of neighborhoods.

The gangsta-rebel groups function like all groups.  They emphasize differences between those within their groups and everyone else.  These differences are deliberately exaggerated and are intended to antagonize those in other groups.  Their language, dress and behavior are deliberately well outside the bounds of what the middle-class groups would find acceptable.  Even their music flaunts vulgar language and concepts which are alienating to those outside their groups.  Consider "rap" music, droopy pants, caps worn at a specific angle, public language in songs and on stage, and public behavior:  all designed to antagonize and alienate, thus emphasizing their refusal to belong.  They feel that they refuse to belong rather than that they are denied admission.

In general all groups tend to emphasize their differences from other groups.  The "gang" mentality existed long before gangsta garb and behavior was so public.  If you can't belong to a desirable group, you can refuse to belong, and in that way take more control of your life.  "I don't want to belong to your group" is better than "I'm mad because I can't get it".

There are larger and larger segments of our population that are excluded from middle-class socioeconomic culture because of the economy and the difficulties the impoverished have in obtaining a decent education and well-paying jobs  Yet they like all of us need to belong.  The less they have, the more they "need" each other.  The more different and antagonistic they are, the more the middle-class have reasons to exclude them. The more they are excluded, the more difficult it is for them to get the education and jobs they need.

The system becomes self-sustaining.  I need to be different because I can't belong;  I can't belong because I am different.  The middle-classes exclude them because they are rebellious and "different. And so the alienation and antagonism grows.

The police are seen as the enforcers and hirelings of the middle classes.  They are more the "enemy" than the protectors.  The lower classes become more excluded and powerless, and the groups within them become more important and stronger.

The saddest part is that we attribute this group rivalry to ethnic issues rather than seeing the rebellious and resentful issues that group rivalry itself causes.  The gangsta groups tend to be associated with the ethnic groups to which a majority of them belong.  We mistake consequence for cause. We lose sight of individuals for the suit they are wearing, which is at least in part what they wish.