Kite Runner Essay Sample

The revulsion of contrasting race and ethnicity is a widespread discussion among the human population. Media, politicians, and abhorrent people strive to cause categorization among the American population as a result of dissimilar races. The novel The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini, explores the whole range of racism: overt racism, theological justification for racism, nonviolent but nonetheless nefarious racism, racism that coexists with charity and goodwill, and internalized racism manifested as self-loathing.    
Throughout the novel, discrimination is one of the most prominent determinants of status in Kabul where Hassan was born. Unlike a Pashtun, Hazaras did not have the opportunity to receive an education, commence a business or marry outside their class. Although Hassan was treated unjustly by members outside his class group, there was one man who perceived him as one of his own. It was the fact that Hassan was Baba’s own blood that made his affection towards his son so pure. Regardless of the importance of the class system in Kabul, Baba led his Hazara son with indistinguishable treatment as he did with his Pashtun son. Amir's misunderstanding of Baba’s attachment towards Hassan was displayed when he insisted on getting new servants. Baba startled, he curly responded, “Hassan’s not going anywhere...He’s staying right here with us, where he belongs...This is his home and we’re his family...Don’t you ever ask me that question again” (Hosseini 80). Baba’s attachment towards Hassan could have been seen as shady by society, but he refused to shun his own blood to abide by societal standards.
In contrast to the humane ways some Pashtun, in particular Baba, treated Hassan there were also people like Assef. A bully from Kabul and soon to be a member of the Taliban, Assef symbolizes all aspects of malevolence. His idolization for Adolf Hitler furthers his aversion for people categorized below him, and unfortunately Hassan receives all the wrath of his hatred. Consequently, Hassan suffered– so disturbingly he lost a piece of himself on the unwelcoming gravel. “There’s nothing sinful about teaching a lesson to a disrespectful donkey” Assef barked (Hosseini 67). All that followed was torture and a never ending frown glue to his face. Amir recalled, “I pretended I hadn’t seen the dark stain in the seat of his pants… Or those tiny drops that fell between his legs and stained the snow black” (Hosseini 70). Hassan had no alibi, Amir was a coward and why would it matter anyways, he was a Hazara.
Not only does Assef use his authority of being a rich Pashtun to get away with raping Hassan, he also misuses his power again to abuse Hassan’s son. Assef was of high authority in the Taliban, for this reason he captured Sohrab when Hassan and his wife were shot and killed. When Amir attempted to adopt Sohrab from the Taliban, he was not only in shock but disgusted by the sight of Sohrab’s appearance. “His head was shaved, his eyes darkened with mascara, and his cheeks glowed with an unnatural red… When he stopped in the middle of the room, the bells strapped around his anklets stopped jingling” (Hosseini 246). Amir then recalled that Mullah put mascara on the sheep before they slit their throats. In this case, Sohrab was the sacrificial lamb who symbolized the destruction of an innocent child’s life. This was all on the terms of someone of higher authority’s terms.
Similar to the societal discrimination in Afghanistan, the United States has reoccurring issues in regards to racism. The country of the USA is known to be the land of opportunities where all are considered brothers and sisters to one another. In reality, anything viewed as “faultless” usually is the most crammed with controversy and dilemmas. A study from Pew Research shows that approximately eight out of 10 blacks (78%) believe the country hasn't gone far enough in granting black people equal rights to whites, and nearly half believe racial equality will never be achieved. Nonwhites are more prone to perceive being white as a benefit. These beliefs have stirred up controversy between the two races, resulting in feelings of indignation and hatred. As a result of feelings of inequality, the Black Lives Matter movement was constructed. As this movement was first created to build justice, healing, and freedom for African Americans across the globe, there are always the ones who use their power to spread havoc. 
Despite the extreme efforts to keep all peaceful from the ones who want equality, there are always the malevolent people like Assef, that enjoy hurting others. For example, a petite shoe company called Blue Sole Shoes was looted and damaged due to the George Floyd protest. Thousands of thugs took advantage of something for a moral cause and projected acts of detestation on innocent people. There are so many righteous individuals that make the world great, but there are always licentious ones that attempt to bring everyone else down. 
Burning crosses and staging rallies, parades and marches denouncing immigrants, Catholics, Jews, African Americans and organized labor are behaviors founded by the KKK organization. During the 1960s civil rights movement, the Ku Klux Klan became more active, with bombings of Black schools and churches, as well as violence against Black and white activists in the South. This notorious organization is an American white supremacist terrorist group who primarily targets the African American race. The reason for this prejudice and resentment is simply because of the difference of skin color.  The 16th Street Baptist Church  bombing was a terrorist assault on the primarily African American 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 15, 1963, by local members of the Ku Klux Klan.  The incident, which left 14 people injured and four girls dead, sparked enormous national anger. This is a compelling example of how individuals implement the fact that if someone looks dissimilar to them then they should be punished for it. Comparable with people of Afghanistan, members of the KKK perform spiteful actions on the ones who have disparate morals and beliefs than them.
In relation to actions of prejudice and discrimination in society, I believe that it comes in both physical and verbal forms. Unfortunately, I experienced an act of verbal prejudice from a group of individuals at an athletic event. It was astonishing to experience discrimination first hand and most specifically to be the one receiving the action. While I was performing my warm up I mockingly heard “look at the white girl go, of course she has blonde hair!” Laughter from a group of about fifteen individuals followed. For the rest of the day I was exceptionally offended and discomposed. Afterwards, I came to a realization that not everyone is equivalent to those types of people. I treat others with respect and equality, and it does not matter what race, ethnicity, or religion someone is; a contemptuous being will scorn anyone they view not equal to themselves.
Altogether, Khaled Hosseini identifies aspects of social and racial conflict within Kabul through characters and the plot. He distinguishes the lives of Pashtuns and Hazaras for the reader, and describes the unjust system that exists in the country of Afghanistan. Contrasting lifestyle of the social class was delineated by the relationship between Assef and Hassan, along with actions made by Pashtuns toward Hazaras. Furthermore, comparisons were shown between the prejudice in the United States society today and everyday life in Afghanistan. In summary, The Kite Runner novel highlights religious defense for prejudice, peaceful however regardless of accursed bigotry, bigotry that coincides with noble cause and altruism, and disguised prejudice shown as self-hatred.