systemic racism, racial problems, white supremacy, multiculturalism, American democracy

1. Introduction

Racism has been a persistent issue in the United States since its founding. Although there have been improvements in systemic racism through the struggles of people of color, the situation took a turn for the worse after Donald Trump took office in 2016, as his policies prioritized protecting the interests of white Americans and exacerbated racial tensions. As a result, race relations in the United States reached the brink of division. Upon assuming office, President Biden immediately implemented measures to promote racial equality in an effort to salvage the increasingly polarized racial relations in the country. This paper aims to address the following questions: Why did racial tensions rapidly escalate during the Trump administration? Can the racial equality policies implemented by the Biden administration resolve systemic racism? And what impact will these policies have on the United States? By examining the theory of systemic racism and the racial equality policies pursued by the Biden administration, this paper seeks to provide answers to these questions.

2. Theoretical Perspective: Systemic Racism Theory

Since the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, there have been some improvements in the situation of ethnic minorities in the United States in areas such as politics, economy, and housing. Especially after Barack Obama, the first African American president took the political stage in 2008, there was a prevailing notion that the United States had “transcended racism” [1]. However, the theory of systemic racism opposes this viewpoint, as it highlights not only the visible and overt forms of racial discrimination that can be observed every day but also the many hidden forms of discrimination. Major institutions in the United States have become racialized [2]. The theory of systemic racism was first proposed by American sociologist Joe Feagin in his book “Systemic Racism: A Theory of Oppression”. According to this theory, American society is an organized racist society, and racial oppression often exists in intricate, interconnected, and interdependent social networks, organizations [2], and institutions. Racial oppression is the foundation of American history and exists in various domains of American society. It is primarily constituted by four aspects: white economic domination, the white racial frame, racial hierarchy order, and the resistance and struggles of people of color. These aspects are interconnected and collectively contribute to the perpetuation of racial oppression [2].

First, white economic domination marks the beginning of systemic racism. Economic domination refers to the exploitation of people of color by white people through racist means, as well as the division of the labor market to protect white social and economic opportunities while excluding people of color. Economic exploitation includes discriminatory practices such as biased wages, hostile work environments, and institutional arrangements such as mortgage and housing discrimination, which systematically discriminate against people of color [2]. Through this economic exploitation, white people accumulated significant wealth and social assets. According to the “The Harsh Reality of Worsening Wealth Inequality in America” report, the wealth gap is closely related to race. African American, Hispanic, or Latino households have an average income about half of white households, and their net wealth is only 15% to 20% of white households [3]. This wealth accumulation through the exploitation of people of color is referred to by Feagin as “undeserved advantage”, while the resulting impoverished state of oppressed people of color is referred to as “unjust impoverishment” [4]. This “unjust impoverishment” hinders the accumulation of wealth among people of color, leading to limited access to quality education, lack of professional knowledge and skills, and forced engagement in low-end industries, exacerbating the gap between white people and people of color, thus perpetuating a vicious cycle. Systemic racism is essentially an extremely unjust system [5].

Second, the white racial frame serves as the core sustaining systemic racism. The white racial frame comprises organized racialized thoughts, stereotypes, and discriminatory tendencies that include negative stereotypes, images, and metaphors of African Americans and other racial groups, as well as positive views of white people and white institutions [5], permeating various aspects of American society. Over time, white people have continually used the white racial frame to interpret society and evaluate the daily lives of white Americans, white institutions, and minority ethnic groups. Although the content contained within the white racial framework has evolved over centuries, the essence of racial oppression against other people of color remains unchanged. For instance, in the realm of public education, the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling by the US Supreme Court declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional. However, subsequent investigations revealed minimal improvement in the racial segregation systems in public schools, and in some cases, the situation worsened. According to a report released by the American Institute for Learning Policy in 2021, the Supreme Court’s 2007 decision in the Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District case limited the consideration of race in voluntary desegregation plans, directly impacting efforts to voluntarily eliminate racial segregation. Afterward, many regions abandoned their desegregation plans, leaving their efforts subject to legal scrutiny. The federal government also reduced its support for federal programs and state and local efforts to eliminate racial segregation. White and Latino students are the most segregated student groups, with an average of 69% white students attending schools predominantly populated by white students, and an average of 55% Latino students attending schools predominantly populated by Latino students. Furthermore, racial segregation is accompanied by socio-economic segregation, as many students of color attend schools with a higher proportion of low-income students. Isolated schools in terms of race and socio-economic status typically lack resources, such as access to advanced placement courses or updated technology, which affects student performance [6].

Third, the racial hierarchy is the cornerstone that solidifies systemic racism. The racial hierarchy represents an asymmetric power relationship that allows white people to possess the means of production of minority ethnic groups, coercing them to accept their arrangements, resulting in the loss of autonomy for minority ethnic groups and the systematic separation and alienation of social relationships [7]. In the racial hierarchy, white people occupy the highest position, holding the majority of top positions in American politics, economy, culture, and social systems. They wield control and decision-making power in these domains, particularly in the political system, where they firmly hold the power to shape discourse and establish rules through legislation, administration, and judiciary resources. They construct the white racial frame to maintain the racial-class hierarchy. On the other hand, Black people rank lowest in the racial hierarchy, while other people of color are ranked according to the white-defined order. Within the same racial group, men generally hold higher positions than women [7]. From a societal perspective, women’s status is determined by the position of their respective racial groups within the racial-class hierarchy. The racial hierarchy also encompasses the legitimation and rationalization of systemic racism through a racial ideology that permeates various spheres of American society, defending white privileges. The racial hierarchy and the accompanying racial ideology to some extent reinforce the white racial frame, mutually strengthening the superior status of white people.

Fourth, the resistance and struggles of people of color against systemic racism have contributed to the continuous development of systemic racism theory. Confronting white oppression, people of color have risen in resistance for centuries [7]. Feagin argues that collective memory is an important mechanism in the reproduction and resistance of systemic racism [7]. The resistance of African Americans encompasses opposition to racial oppression and discrimination and the pursuit of political, economic, and social equality, most notably exemplified by the Civil Rights Movement that began in the 1950s. Throughout the resistance process, certain cultural traditions and values rooted in African heritage have been orally and textually passed down through generations, forming a familial cultural framework that counteracts white oppression [8]. Alongside the African American resistance, the struggles of Asian and Latinx communities have also unfolded. Building upon the Civil Rights Movement, Asian Americans engaged in the “Asian American Movement”, and Latinx communities embarked on the “Chicano Movement”, both aimed at resisting white oppression and discrimination while striving for equal rights. These acts of resistance have to some extent hindered the reproduction of systemic racism. However, due to white control over the majority of cultural institutions, negative images and stereotypes about minority ethnic groups can easily become ingrained and perpetuated.

Therefore, despite the persistent resistance and struggles of people of color, white economic dominance, racial frameworks, and the racial-class hierarchy continue to exist in the 21st century, albeit operating more covertly and imperceptibly. The United States has yet to fully achieve the height of its proclaimed political democracy.

3. Racial Shifts in the United States During the Trump Era

Obama’s victory in 2008 was an important factor in changing the status quo of racial politics in the United States. Despite Obama’s moderate stance on race, a series of social movements have emerged in opposition to Obama and his administration’s policies. For example, the Tea Party Movement (TPM) broke out in 2009. TPM was initially organized around opposition to government spending and tax increases, but as the movement spread to the grassroots, the group’s discriminatory rhetoric against minorities attracted many supporters. TPM also caused the Democrats to lose control of the House of Representatives in the 2010 midterm elections. At the same time, it was hoped that the election of Barack Obama would lead to a “post-racist” society, but racism remains a problem. Martin, who was eventually acquitted, sparked intense controversy [9]. This was systemic racism in the criminal justice field, which directly led to the outbreak of the “Black Lives Matter” movement, and with the mainstream media coverage, the situation gradually expanded, triggering white people’s concern about their status. A latent “white identity” group in American society emerged, arguing that whites were increasingly the victims of discrimination compared to minorities because the Obama administration was overly concerned about minorities and overemphasized political correctness. According to a survey conducted by a U.S. organization, 55% of white Americans believe there is discrimination against whites in U.S. society, although 84% of whites also acknowledge the existence of discrimination against minorities [10].

This growing “white identity” laid the foundation for Trump’s electoral victory in 2016. Another basis for Trump’s victory was the attraction of racial extremists and their mobilization for active participation in electoral politics. Historically, racial extremists have been less likely to engage in politics, and Trump’s extreme rhetoric against minorities has attracted them. According to a survey of American scholars, Trump introduced racial threat narratives into his presidential campaign speeches by focusing on three outside groups, African Americans, Latinos, and Muslims, discussing them in a negative tone and emphasizing the threat they pose to whites [11]. Trump’s mainstreaming of the racial threat narrative of white extremists has given him broader loyalty support among anxious whites, and he has therefore become more committed to regularly stoking white anxiety to secure white support for him. Trump’s mainstreaming of racism in a new form has stoked white anger about outgroup hostility, and whites are increasingly expressing anti-democratic tendencies and a willingness to undermine the federal government to resist the implementation of more inclusive laws in American society. Trump’s racially divisive politics have created a base of supporters that could lead to American fascism, which is less harmful than European fascism but still indigenous, exclusionary, and anti-democratic [11].

In addition to his racially inflammatory election rhetoric, Trump has adopted several policies to protect white interests since he took office. First, the appointment of people in the federal judiciary and in the cabinet who refuse to provide special treatment to minorities. Trump Administration Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson opposes policies that address housing discrimination, arguing that the Obama-era Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Act has increased federal control over localities. And Attorney General William Barr has called the violence incited by protesters in the “Black Lives Matter” movement state terrorism [12]. Second, reversing the gains of decades of affirmative action to weaken minority status and entrench white privilege. For example, support school districts to get rid of racial segregation ordinances and stop federal diversity training programs.

Although previous Republican administrations have taken steps to support the protection of white privilege, none of them have been as strong or as broad as the Trump administration. Trump’s overt policies to protect whites have gained him a strong following, creating The Trump Phenomenon. The Trump Phenomenon first emerged during the 2016 U.S. election, referring to Trump’s anti-establishment traditional campaign strategies and tactics that won the election, and his unconventional domestic and foreign policies during his tenure. The emergence of the Trump phenomenon is no coincidence. In 2016, the polarization of the U.S. parties, slow economic recovery, serious ethnic conflicts, and the decline of U.S. hegemony caused the American public to be dissatisfied with the elite, i.e., populist reactions, coupled with the continuous incitement of white anger against minorities during the Trump campaign, populism and The intertwining of populism and racism has led to the Trump phenomenon.

4. Biden Administration’s Remedial Measures: Racial Equality Policies

Racial discrimination is a systemic issue in the United States, and successive U.S. governments have been well aware of this fact. Since the 1960s, the U.S. government has implemented various measures to address systemic racism and promote racial equality. However, most of these measures have not been effectively implemented during their execution, thus failing to drive problem resolution. Furthermore, the emergence of Trump exacerbated racial divisions and conflicts. Therefore, after assuming office, the Biden Administration has implemented a series of measures to address racial disparities and promote racial equality. Specifically, the measures taken by the Biden Administration to alleviate domestic racial conflicts in the United States include the following aspects.

Firstly, pursuing the goal of racial diversity in cabinet composition. In contrast to Trump’s politicization of racial issues, support for white supremacists’ activities, and the appointment of politicians with extreme white tendencies, Biden pledged to establish a cabinet that looks like America. Therefore, after taking office, Biden actively worked towards building the most diverse cabinet in history. Looking at the racial composition of Biden’s cabinet members, including 50% White, 23.1% Black, 15.4% Hispanic/Latino, 11.5% Asian and Pacific Islander, and 3.8% Native American [13]. In terms of gender representation, female members account for 46.2%, marking a significant increase compared to the Trump era. Promoting racial diversity through government appointments is an easily achievable measure that both contributes to diversity and drives racial equality. However, although the Biden Administration has achieved racial diversity in the cabinet, there is a limited number of Asian cabinet officials, and there is no Asian American serving as a cabinet secretary, marking the first time in 20 years that there is no Asian American in a cabinet secretary position. Additionally, white males still dominate the highest-level positions in the administration. This shows that establishing a government that looks like America is not an easy task. Moreover, due to the significant influence of “white supremacy” during the Trump administration, although political power for people of color has increased, they still face differential treatment, and the effectiveness of a diverse cabinet in promoting racial equality remains limited.

Secondly, promoting the achievement of racial equality goals through the signing of executive orders. On his first day in office, President Biden signed Executive Order 13985, titled “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government’. The executive order highlights the significant human costs of systemic racism, persistent poverty, and other inequalities, and directs the federal government to advance a comprehensive equity agenda that matches the scale of challenges faced by our nation and the opportunity to build a more perfect union. In addition to this, the Biden Administration has also signed other executive orders related to promoting racial equality. These include the American Families Plan, which aims to restore the United States’ commitment to communities that have been left behind or denied opportunities, lifting over 10 million Americans out of poverty [14]; addressing discriminatory policies by the federal government in housing matters; condemning and combating racism, xenophobia, and extreme behaviors targeting Asian and Pacific Islander communities; and reducing the wealth gap between races and combating economic racism. In fact, in the system of checks and balances in the United States, promoting racial equality through legislative means is most effective. However, in practice, due to the partisan divide on this issue, it is difficult to address systemic racism through legal means.

Thirdly, increasing public attention to the issue of racism. Public opinion plays a crucial role in resolving the issue of racism. Only when the public continues to focus on racism will Congress prioritize it and work towards legislative solutions to eradicate racism. However, maintaining public interest and engagement is not an easy task. On May 25, 2021, on the first anniversary of the George Floyd incident, President Biden delivered a speech, expressing the goal of ensuring that Congress passes the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. However, due to the breakdown of negotiations between the two parties, the bill failed to pass. Therefore, in May 2022, the Biden Administration signed an executive order on police reform, which was a fallback measure after the failure of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, but its impact has been limited. On June 1, 2021, Biden delivered a speech on the occasion of the centennial commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre and announced a nationwide plan to promote racial equality and reduce interethnic wealth disparities. In his speech, Biden referred to the history of Tulsa as evidence of rampant racism in America, where a century ago, white mobs killed Black people and burned down their community. It was one of the most severe racial massacres in American history, and such racial hatred and domestic terrorism still exist today. Before this, the Tulsa Race Massacre was rarely mentioned until the centennial commemoration, where mainstream media extensively covered it. Biden took this opportunity to raise the profile of racial issues in public discourse, which is beneficial for further assisting minority communities and promoting racial equality.

The Biden Administration has taken measures to address the racial divide in America and promote racial equality. However, these measures have not risen to the level of legislation, thus their actual impact is not significant. Additionally, the issue of racism continues to persist in the United States, and even when it is not in the spotlight, it has the potential to resurface and reemerge at the center of mainstream politics [11].

5. Analysis of the Biden Administration’s Equality Policies

The democratic system in the United States was established on the foundation of white oppression of black slaves, and the subsequent development of the country is intertwined with this history. During the era of slavery, many provisions in the U.S. Constitution also reinforced the racial oppression of black people by white people, and even today, the antidemocratic elements in the Constitution continue to hinder the further democratization of the United States. Although the Biden Administration has devoted significant time and effort to racial issues and has gained support from people of color, achieving racial equality during his tenure remains a formidable challenge. Moreover, during the Trump presidency, there was an inflaming of white animosity towards external groups, and the “racial equality policies” implemented by the Biden Administration to some extent overlook the concerns of the white population. This can further stimulate white extremism and have an impact on domestic political and social stability.

First, the phenomenon of “racialization” in American politics is further exacerbated. Political polarization has become one of the problems in contemporary American politics, and along with political polarization comes the phenomenon of political "racialization." Political “racialization” in the United States means that the majority of political issues can be transformed into racial issues. Voters make their “party sorting” based on racial issues. The term “party sorting” was first proposed by American political scientists Morris Fiorina and Samuel Abrams, referring to the limited ideological and political positions available, focused on the two major parties, so voters can only choose between the Democratic Party or the Republican Party based on their preferences [15]. The Democratic Party is seen as a coalition of racial liberalism, while the Republican Party is seen as a coalition of racial conservatism, with significant differences between the two parties on racial issues. Looking at election results, in 2020 and 2022, black support for the Democratic Party was 87% and 86% respectively, Hispanic support was 65% and 60% respectively, and Asian support was 61% and 58% respectively [16]. Ethnic minorities lean towards supporting the Democratic Party, and educated white voters also tend to support the Democratic Party. Therefore, in electoral politics, both parties in the United States utilize this point and play the “race card” in elections, using racial issues to attack each other and seek partisan interests. For example, according to Xinhua News Agency, a university Advanced Placement (AP) course that teaches African American history was blocked in Florida. The conservative Republican-led Florida government banned schools in the state from offering the course, claiming that it imposes political ideology on students and lacks educational value [17]. The purpose of the course was to introduce students to the experiences and contributions of African Americans from political, social, and cultural perspectives, with slavery being only a part of the curriculum. Yet, even such a high school elective course, due to its involvement with the sensitive topic of racial history, faced suppression against the backdrop of intense political polarization and party struggles in the United States. The deeply ingrained system of racism in American politics, economy, society, and culture makes the issue of race more complex, party competition fiercer, social contradictions intensify, and ethnic minorities remain victims.

Second, equality policies exacerbate domestic conflicts. The African American civil rights movement of the 1960s had some impact on the racially constructed framework by white people, but the white supremacist status quo remained unchanged. European colonizers in North America emphasized the superiority and dominant position of European culture, as well as the image of the subordinate other and their inferiority [18]. By shaping the image of the other, European colonizers legitimized the exploitation of others’ labor and land, solidifying the racial hierarchy. Biden has repeatedly emphasized in his speeches that systemic racism exists in the United States and is deeply rooted in various sectors of American society, which is a significant step for Biden as a white president. However, the social foundation of racism in the United States is difficult to change through executive orders. Racial inequality still exists, and the executive orders issued by the Biden administration only consider the interests of people of color [19], while neglecting the interests of white people, to some extent leading to white panic. The United States is an immigrant country, and in order to combat racial discrimination, policies of affirmative action, also known as positive discrimination, have been implemented to provide special treatment in employment and education for people of color. However, in practice, this policy has instead fueled white insecurity and negative emotions. There are several reasons for white insecurity. Firstly, economic globalization has led to significant outsourcing of American industries, resulting in a decline in blue-collar jobs. White blue-collar workers attribute their difficulties in finding employment to globalization and the government’s implementation of affirmative action. In a worsening economic situation, white insecurity rises, and along with it, dissatisfaction with ethnic minorities increases, as they are seen as taking away opportunities from white people. Furthermore, during the Trump administration, there was constant rhetoric claiming that ethnic minorities were stealing job opportunities from white people, which intensified white resentment towards ethnic minorities. The executive orders issued by Biden after taking office also focus on helping ethnic minorities in employment. In this context, conflicts between white people and ethnic minorities have escalated, leading to further division within the United States. As a country of immigrants, the development of globalization has led to an increase in immigration to the United States, changing the country’s demographic structure, with white people no longer being the vast majority of the population. The increase in immigration has also weakened the assimilation mechanism for immigrants in the United States. The religious and cultural impact of immigrants has challenged traditional American beliefs. When white people feel the changes in American society, especially the emergence of the other image, it triggers feelings of identity anxiety and insecurity among white people, leading to a more conservative stance in politics. It is not just white people who experience insecurity; there is also a sense of insecurity within minority communities. For example, when Latinx individuals feel that they have acquired American identity, they sometimes express more racism toward African Americans. Furthermore, if Latinx individuals feel that their status as Americans is being compromised, this process can greatly intensify and catalyze anti-Black sentiments, significantly undermining support for pro-Black policies [20].

Third, racial conflicts conceal the reality of institutional failure. When the United States was founded in the 18th century, it was not a mature democratic country. The elite founders intentionally designed a political system that was unequal and undemocratic [21]. Until today, the United States is still not a mature democratic nation. As demonstrated by prominent researchers on American oligarchy politics such as Philip Burch and Bill Domhoff, this country has long been ruled by economic and political elites in the field of finance. From the 17th century to the present, democratic rhetoric has effectively masked significant political and economic inequalities. The racial equality policies implemented by the Biden administration have failed to change the substantial inequality and instead have exacerbated institutional failures. On the one hand, racial discrimination is pervasive in American society. The United States is a nation built on slavery and racial oppression, and the framework of white racism has permeated every aspect of American society. The ideals of freedom, democracy, and equality enshrined in the Constitution only apply to the white Anglo-Saxon traditional ruling class. The racial equality policies implemented by the Biden administration only grant more rights to ethnic minorities without addressing the fundamental white supremacy. For example, there is no legislation to eliminate the threat of white supremacists or to classify white extremist organizations. In general, white supremacy has a long history in the United States, and Biden faces significant challenges in trying to eradicate systemic racism. Under the stimulation of racial equality policies, white supremacism is further incited, leading to extremist behaviors among white individuals, making it difficult for the American political system to correct itself. On the other hand, income and wealth disparities have further widened due to economic restructuring and the impact of globalization. According to statistical data from 1989 to 2016, income inequality in the United States has sharply increased. The top 10% of households (with a net worth of at least $1.2 million) own 77% of the wealth, while the bottom 50% of households (with a net worth of no more than $97,000) own only 1% of the wealth. Income disparities are also correlated with race [22], as the average income of Black and Hispanic or Latinx households is approximately half that of white households, and their net wealth is only 15% to 20% of white households. The 2019 SCF data shows that white households collectively own 86.8% of the national wealth, despite comprising only 68.1% of the surveyed households. In contrast, Black and Hispanic households collectively own only 2.9% and 2.8% of the national wealth, respectively, while comprising 15.6% and 10.9% of the U.S. population. This reflects the disproportionate concentration of wealth in white households. In fact, under conditions of racial equality, Black households would possess more than five times the wealth they currently have, while Hispanic households would possess nearly four times the wealth they currently have [23]. However, American political elites use racial issues to mask class issues and attribute social conflicts to racial tensions, thereby concealing the failure of the political system. This approach alleviates public dissatisfaction with the political system, maintains social stability, and preserves the foundations of power. However, this practice only further intensifies divisions and conflicts among ethnic groups and fails to improve the current state of institutional failure in American politics.

Fourth, racial conflicts challenge national identity and construction. The legitimacy of a nation stems from the people’s identification with the nation, and national identity is crucial for national security [24]. However, the emergence of globalization has had a significant impact on national identity. As the conflict between “cultural pluralism” and “white supremacism” intensifies, the traditional values of the “Anglo-Protestant culture” in the United States have been challenged. Under the incitement of right-wing populist parties, white Americans are becoming increasingly separated from ethnic minorities. In the era of globalization, racial conflicts have to some extent plunged the United States into an identity crisis. The core issue that people used to discuss was the impact on the cohesion and cultural unity of American society if it deviates from Americanization, but nowadays people are no longer concerned about it [25]. This poses a challenge to the construction of a multicultural nation like the United States. It can be said that identity is crucial for nation-building. Benedict Anderson argues that a nation is an “imagined community”, and the political identity formed by shared values and the value identification with existing political, economic, and social systems is the foundation of modern national identity [26]. The United States has been an immigrant nation since its founding, and the balance between national identity and ethnic identity has helped maintain social stability in the country for a long time. However, with the development of the times, the balance between American national identity and ethnic identity has been affected. After the end of the Cold War, the ideological aspect of the United States has faded, and in order to promote economic growth, population growth, and maintain international status and influence, a large number of immigrants were absorbed. However, this practice has led to social polarization, cultural conflicts, and the traditional concept of American national unity has been compromised [25]. Furthermore, many American elites promote the theory of cultural diversity and equality among different cultures in the United States, which allows immigrants to integrate into American society without assimilating the core American culture. The diversity of society has allowed immigrants to retain their identification with their home countries, and American culture has become increasingly diverse, challenging the "Anglo-Protestant culture" and exacerbating the crisis of white American identity. At the same time, dual citizenship and dual nationality in the United States have also severed the connection between individual identity and national characteristics, further impacting national identity.

6. Conclusion

The reality of systemic racism in American society is that the majority of white people, including white decision-makers at local, state, and federal levels, have not seriously listened to the voices and perspectives of oppressed people of color but instead marginalized them. Systemic racism is deeply rooted in American racism and a constant source of social conflict. Driven by right-wing populism, systemic racism has caused continuous divisions in American society. While the Biden administration’s pursuit of racial equality policies can to some extent improve the living standards of ethnic minorities and gain support from them, these policies are issued in the form of executive orders and have not been elevated to the legislative level, making it difficult for them to have a substantial impact in practice. At the same time, racial equality policies only consider the interests of ethnic minorities while neglecting the interests of the white population, causing the white population to lose their “white psychological wages”, which will stimulate white supremacist extremists. For example, on May 14, 2022, a white supremacist named Peyton Gendron conducted a racist massacre in a supermarket in Fabro, New York, resulting in the deaths of 10 African Americans and injuries to three others [27]. The perpetrator recorded the attack and live-streamed it online. Therefore, under the backdrop of American democracy, the Biden administration’s racial equality policies have not changed the reality of racial oppression but rather intensified racial conflicts, leading to political polarization, domestic division, exacerbating systemic failures, challenging national identity and construction, and sowing the seeds for a major racial crisis.

Racial issues reflect the limitations of “American-style democracy”. Western democracy represented by American-style democracy is not perfect. Therefore, it should not be blindly imitated without considering the specific national conditions of other countries, let alone forcefully promoted overseas. Countries around the world need to explore democratic paths that suit their characteristics to achieve their development goals.