Cold War and its Impact on International Racism and Segregation Research Paper - 1

Cold War and its Impact on International Racism and Segregation - Research Paper Example The aspects of two social problems, international racism and segregation are examined in this paper. Emphasis is given to international racism and the segregationist image of the United States. It is concluded that the Cold War has significantly affected the international image of the United States regarding racism and segregation. The level of interaction of the above products are not standardized; within different social, political and economic conditions, the events of the Cold War could have led to different perceptions of the country’s international image regarding racism and segregation. The Cold War has strongly affected the perceptions on human rights. The starting point of the War can be identified at the end of the Second World War, i.e. in 1945. However, certain of its ideas have been already appeared before the end of the Second World War, even in 1939. Different views have been developed regarding the role of the Cold War on concepts, such as racism and segregatio n. According to Professor Adam Fairclough1, the Cold War has influenced the views of people on racial differences, leading to the promotion of values such as equality and fairness among people of different racial background and characteristics. More specifically, Professor Fairclough suggested that ‘the war had helped to discredit theories of racial superiority’.2 The above view is based on the fact that after the end of Nazism in Europe, people in countries that suffered significant damages – and human losses – could not tolerate any form of discrimination, which has been the key rule of Nazism.3 The specific fact is highlighted in the study of Professor Fairclough where reference is made to the non-acceptance of the concept of racial superiority, as the above framework was developed during the Second World War. It is explained that since the end of the Second World War the public does not accept any form of racism, either expressed, as Anti-Semitism or o ther form of racial discrimination. In addition, the Cold War has helped to increase awareness of both governments and the public on racial discrimination, making the specific problem ‘an international issue’.4 According to Professor Fairclough, racial discrimination has been an argument offering to the enemies, or else the political opponents, the chance to ask for the termination of existing governmental plans; for example, reference is made to the claim of Russia, during the Cold War, that USA does not respect human rights, especially the rights of black people.5 At this point, reference should be made to the following fact: the United States has traditionally faced a series of significant challenges regarding the entrance in the country of foreigners. Politicians do not equally support the continuous increase of foreigners across the country. In fact, certain of them are clearly opposed to such perspective. The issue is made clear in the speech of Joseph McCarthy on Communists in 1950. The key point of the specific speech has been the following one: foreigners are considered as not being directly related to the American Economy.6 Rather, it is believed that the problems of the country are related not to foreigners but to the traitors activating across the country.7 It is explained that these traitors are likely to enjoy all social and political benefits across the country, such as the right to education and the right to housing, at