The Issues of Identity Among ”mixed-race/ethnic” Persons in the United States

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Racism in the United States
Hispanics
Black Americans
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Racism is a destructive form of discrimination; it devalues other people’s identity and denies them their right to exercise power, it destroys the unity within a community, and leads to social divisions. In addition, it violates the democratic right of equality and the fair treatment of all people.

Racism is a world wide phenomenon that has been experienced in many countries and it mainly results from economic, political, and social factors. Racism takes diverse forms that vary depending on its contexts. Racism is therefore an end product of the disparities that exist in the society, their attitudes, and other cultural practices.

It can be observed from how individuals express their actions and its form changes with changes in the society. In the United States, racism has been persistent for a long period of time and the commission of human rights seems to be doing very little in countering the problem. This paper looks at the history of racism in the United States and also looks at Hispanics and Black Americans as some of the ethnic groups that have lost their identity through racism.

Racism in the United States

Racism in the U.S. emerged when the dominant group (the white) started to perceive themselves as being superior to others because they originated from a particular ethnic group, race, or nationality. This was based on differences that are quite evident in values, customs, color, religion, perception about the world, and how people live. It also extends to the use of language where a certain group of people have negative attitudes towards the language used by others.

It is normally expressed in different ways, for instance, racial discrimination and stereotyping about a certain culture which may extend to xenophobia. The “superior” group (the white) perceives their culture, way of life, color, and language to be over and above others and expect the inferior group (other ethnic groups for instance the Hispanics and the Black Americans) to emulate them if they are to be accepted in the society.

The white Americans fail to understand that the world is composed of different groups of people with different customs, values, originality, and general way of life which they hold dear and are not willing to let go (Cornell and Hartmann 25). It is through these differences that we get diversity in cultures which are important aspects even in trade.

With the increase in immigration rates, the United States has become a diverse society and expressions of racism have changed. The language used by racists and their attitude during the 19th century has become unacceptable although racism is still evident in other forms especially through the media.

Presently, racism is based on nationality which is perceived to be unsuited to diversity. Questions arise as to which population constitute the real Americans. The Aboriginal people suffered in the hands of the Americans and were also discriminated against in almost everything. They were prohibited from participating in their cultural activities and the children separated from their families to be taught in the western curriculum.

Recently, the government has been taking legal measures to protect these people from racism. Leaders advocate for no racism and they are backed by law which makes discrimination an offence (Schultz 12). The law recognizes the cultural rights of these people and gives them the right of speech, although the media still recognizes the dominant group whose culture forms the norm to be emulated by other cultures.

Despite the fact that, the government recognizes and appreciates the diverse cultures and allows them to enjoy their rights, it has not put strong measures to ensure that they are not discriminated against by the dominant group. These cultural rights are not included in the constitution; making it hard for the minority groups to fight for their rights.

Hispanics

Hispanic is one of the largest ethnic communities constituting the population of the United States. They have resided in the U.S since the 16th century and their number continue to increase. Most but not all Hispanics speak Spanish but not all Spanish speaking people are Hispanics. This is a community that has been denied their rights since their existence. They continue to live in the United States even though they have been discriminated against in terms of good job, education, and social amenities such as hospitals.

The children have been discriminated against education as compared to the white American. They, together with the black Americans, continue to suffer in a land that is not theirs (Rai and Critzer 80). Even though Hispanics share a universal language, their olden times are entrenched all through the Americans and the Liberian peninsula. Hispanic symbolizes a combination of a number of ethnic backgrounds, as well as European, American, Indian, and African.

Hispanics are over-represented in low paying, service professions that necessitate negligible educational training and offer little chance for improvement. By virtue of their growing numbers, Hispanics have and will continue to have a momentous impact on the social, educational, economic and political systems in America. Thus, the success of Hispanics in the U.S in general, will have implications for the economic and social well being of the country as a whole (Kanellos, Padilla, and Fabragat 32)

Black Americans

Black Americans are perceived to be weaker beings that have to depend on the whites for their survival. The whites have taken advantage of this perspective and have continually denied the African their rights and freedoms. Few of the black Americans are able to secure jobs in the western countries and if they do, they are poorly paid.

The educational attainment and school retention rates of African American children have lagged behind those of whites for as long as records have subsisted. The history of the black Americans stereotypes began as early as the 16th century when Africans arrived in the new world as indentured servants and slaves. African-American history and life is well understood in the 17th century due to the effects that occurred. It was one of the years when Africans went through slavery in the hand of the American which is still remarkable today.

Despite the bewilderment, the date is one that bears historical weight. Many have made the fake supposition that the Africans who were introduced in American represented the start of slavery in what became the United States. It was more likely that the African were “remaindered” captives (Jacob and Apple 103).

Conclusion

Racism is a vice that is eating up many communities globally and it is a restriction to international growth and development. The present form of racism is based on the national culture and all minor cultures are perceived as a menace to social unity. It consists of the assumptions that the cultures customs and values of the dominant group constitute the norm and all minor cultures are expected to conform to them.

The behaviors of the inferior groups of people are judged in respect to the culture of the dominant group and nay violation is punishable by law. The commonly discriminated groups of people in the U.S. are the blacks and the Hispanics. They have been denied equal opportunities as those provided to the white. They have also been prohibited from following their cultures and language and have to depend on the whites for almost everything.

Works Cited

Cornell, Stephen and Hartmann, Douglas. Ethnicity and Race: Making Identities in a Changing World. California: Pine Forge Press, 1998.

Jacob, Merle and Apple, Hope. To be continued: an annotated guide to sequels. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000.

Kanellos, Nicolas, Padilla, Felix M. and Fabragat, Esteva C. Handbook of Hispanic Cultures in the United States. Sociology, Volume 3. New York: Arte Publico Press, 1994.

Rai, Kul B. and Critzer, John W. Affirmative action and the university: race, ethnicity, and gender in higher education employment. Nebraska: U of Nebraska Press, 2000.

Schultz, Jeffrey D. Encyclopedia of Minorities in American Politics: Hispanic Americans and Native Americans. The American political landscape series, Volume 2 of Encyclopedia of Minorities in American Politics. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000.

Click Here To Order Now!