Race and Ethnicity in America Essay - 1329 Words

Race and Ethnicity in America In 1492 Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue. Everyone knows the story of Christopher Columbus; they are taught it in grade school if not before then. When he landed in America by accident, he had no idea that he would be creating the worlds largest Melting Pot. This melting pot provided means for a new country, made from a mixture of many cultures and beliefs, thus creating a new country with a new and ever-changing culture. One complication with a Melting Pot is that you cannot put people of different race and ethnicity together without conflict. Conflict defined by dictionary.com as: A state of disharmony between incompatible or antithetical persons, ideas, or interests; a clash. Humanity†¦show more content†¦It started out that the Columnists were working and farming the land, which they stole, on their own. As the years passed they soon realized that why do it our selves when we can have someone else to do it. They began to ship slaves over from Africa. Hundreds of slaves were crowded onto large ships and brought to a foreign land, only to be enslaved by a foreign race of people. The hands of other races formed America. The foundation of this country was based upon racial tension and conflict. This strain continued even after slavery had been abolished. People would lash out at other races in order to make them-selves feel better. Phrases like hate crimes were suddenly popping up. Throughout the early twentieth century, African-Americans were considered to be inferior to the Caucasian race. There were designated areas for white and colored people. Colored people were not allowed to eat in certain restaurants. They were not even allowed to drink from the same water fountains. Most of the time the colored fountain were just faucets sticking out of the wall. Segregation, as this separation of the races became known as, was legal by the laws of this country. The Supreme Court in the landmark decision of Plessy vs. Fregussun brought legality to the United States for segregation. A statue which implies merely a legal distinction between the white and coloredShow MoreRelatedRace And Ethnicity Are Integral Parts Of America905 Words   |  4 PagesRace and Ethnicity are integral parts of America. They are often used interchangeably. Race is associated with biology. It is a socially and politically constructed category of individuals who are assumed to share com mon inborn biological traits, such as bone structure, hair type, skin, or eye color. These distinctions have been used to the detriment or advantage of American groups over time. Whereas ethnicity is associated with culture factors. It is often tied to nationality of origin and characterizedRead MoreCrossing The Border Without Losing Your Past By Oscar Casares973 Words   |  4 PagesThere was a time when America was segregated; Caucasians and African Americans were forced to attend different restrooms, restaurants, and water fountains. However, the era of segregation has been terminated; now America embraces and appreciates the various cultures and ethnicities that create this melting pot several people call home. Likewise, it is this melting pot, or mosaic, of races that multitudes of individuals have identified themselves with. Thus, race and ethnicity does matter for it portraysRead MoreRacial Profiling : The United States Essay1326 Words   |  6 PagesRacial Profiling The United States of America, a country founded on diversity, remains ingrained with hypocritical ideas with respect to its very foundations of freedom and independence. America shows no mercy in the prejudice actions towards its minorities. The United States of America contributes greatly towards the injustice of minorities and giving privilege towards its â€Å"native† people yet not all â€Å"natives† are greatly loved in the country as Neil Foley, author of Becoming Hispanic: MexicanRead MoreRacism: An Essentialist Category1728 Words   |  7 PagesAt one time and still today to many people, race is an essentialist category meaning that the race of a person is a category innate in them that sets them apart from others and makes them act in a certain way. Reb, for instance, one of the main characters of the story The Bread Givers , thinks it axiomatic that a woman cannot learn Torah, nor be educated but is fit only to work in the house. All of Rebs dealings with his daughters and the way that he perceives other women including his wivesRead MoreRace And Race Relations : The Root Of Public Health Crises785 Words   |  4 Pageswhen I would shy away from an in-depth conversation about race and race relations in social situations. I would participate in class, when studying race and health disparities, however when stepped out of the classroom and converse amongst my peers, I became more reserved. There’s something about asking those hard questions and discussing disparities as a result of oppressions and transgressions which made me uncomfortable to talk about race outside of the structured, politically-correct world of academiaRead MoreEssay on Racism and The Latino Community1382 Words   |  6 PagesIn this world we are cons tantly being categorized by our race and ethnicity, and for many people it’s hard to look beyond that. Even though in the past many stood up for equality and to stop racism and discrimination, it still occurs. In this nation of freedom and equality, there are still many people who believe that their race is superior to others. These beliefs are the ones that destroy our nation and affect the lives of many. The people affected are not limited by their age group, sex, socialRead MoreRace Is The Best Definition Of Race965 Words   |  4 PagesOmi and Winant Race is something impacts us all. The origin of the idea of race is hard to trace. What we do know is that without racism the idea of race would not exist. Race in today s world is a built categorization structure that was created to classify people separately. Race has played a tremendous role in our history. Race is hard to define. Michael Omi and Howard Winant had created what is considered the best definition of race. This definition of race includes three epiphenomena. TheRead MoreEssay On Legal Alien1084 Words   |  5 Pagesjudged for their ethnicity in some way at least once throughout their life. Ethnicity is the most important element of culture that influences one’s view of the world as proved by the poem Legal Alien, and the short stories, Two Ways to Belong in America, Indian Father’s Plea, and By Any Other Name. [Libby] One connection to ethnicity being the most significant to how someone views the world is Legal Alien. This is because of how the author explains her many problems due to her ethnicity. The authorRead More Covert Racism in America Essay1109 Words   |  5 PagesCovert Racism in America Racism is still a very current issue in America today. By no means is racism as overt as it was fifty years ago with enforced segregation, but today racism is more covert and often hides behind closed doors to only strike out when least expected. Racism has been deceasing and will continue to be decreased only through education. Hopefully, one day racism will cease to exist. But, that day if possible is many years away. Racism still exists in America today. This isRead MoreEquality, Diversity, and Democracy1348 Words   |  6 Pagescomponents that America claims to revolve around, but unfortunately lacks. America is a nation filled with envy, rage, and such preposterous behaviors and actions. Since the founding of the nation, to the present of America, and according to the predicament of the future, this territorial notion that America abides by is slowly corrupting the nation. Since the establishment of America equality was always an issue, but always an issue of avoidance. In the article Deconstructing America, Buchanan states