Eth_125_Race_and_My_Community

ETH125 | Race and My Community | Final Project | | Shawn Rogers | August 29, 2010 | | My little community has a small number of minority groups. Within my neighborhood, which is mostly White American, I still find many differences. The city is slowly starting to see certain minority groups moving in. Driving around town I have noticed that most of the White Americans are often in nicer homes, going to the popular church on Sunday, driving nice cars, and socializing among other White Americans in the community. The Mexican Americans are mostly found driving older vehicles, living in modest housing with many people, attending whatever Spanish speaking church is down the street and often holding celebrations in honor of holidays and cultural festivities. Though we are different we all come together when needed because I believe we have interests in common. Each ethnic group in my population interacts and lives in a distinct way but we all have a general respect for one another and show consideration for one another’s diverse lifestyle. Many members in my community look like me as far as being white is concerned. In my town there are some who are old and young, some are tall and short. Comparatively I am an average white male that I suppose many people could compare to the next white guy. According to the U.S Census Bureau in the year 2000 , the town closest to mine (Puyallup) has 36,605 people of which 87.9% is White, 1.5% is Black, 3.3 % Asian, and 4.7% Hispanic. (U.S. Census, 2000) The town I live in is about a quarter of these figures but is not listed at the Census Bureau. Those members of the community who are really different from my appearance are those of a different race. Taking into account small details, my traits are significantly different than those of an African American or a Pacific Islanders. “The term racial group is reserved for minorities and the corresponding majorities that are socially set apart because of obvious physical differences” (Axia College, 2008, p. 7). I would say I do not fall under this category as I am comparable to many other White Americans. I believe I would receive pleasant and respectable treatment from leaders in my community, as much as the next white resident. I feel like my opinion would be valued on issues that arise in our neighborhood. As far as minorities may be treated I can’t help but wonder if they feel as though their views may not be as important. Taking into account that there are so many whites compared to any other race I believe they feel inferior when it comes to making decisions in the district as they are outnumbered. When it comes to being treated fairly I do feel as though they are treated just as anyone else would be, no matter the ethnic group. For the reason that I am of the majority ethnic group I am treated fairly and with an honest amount of respect by others in my community. Considering those not of my race I believe they are treated a little different. I occasionally do volunteer work at my daughter’s school and I find that though the teachers are being fair and impartial I wonder if a number of children are. The only thing I can think of is it must be a trait or ideals learned at home. Though I do not believe there are many racists in our community I do feel as though lack of knowledge in some homes, may gather this type of conduct. Along with the problem that may arise with others lack of knowledge and understanding about those different from them, I believe a large majority of people in the community grasp the reality of the handout minorities are receiving as well. During a conversation with a private citizen and educator in the district they had this to say about the matter. “I believe there may be a slight abhorrence from those who understand the great benefits people get from another country, which don’t even have citizenship here. There is a strong sense of wanting to take care of each other here in our community and others are having a difficult time with noncitizens of other ethnic groups being taken care of by the government and not paying their dues as expected in the U.S.” Work manuals and texts include information by and about people like me. They also characterize others who are unlike me, however, I don’t think texts and work manuals are often written by the people it is about. Take for instance history books. They talk about Spanish, Native Americans, Europeans, and other nations. I believe we frequently find they are written by White Americans and not by the same ethnic groups that are being discussed. I feel as though we may get more accurate information from those who really understand the person or historical moment that is being discussed by being that race. Local media commonly do represent people like me and anyone else in the same aspect. In all directions the local media is pushing to get viewers and top stories. More than representation of races I believe television news coverage and newspaper articles are generally centered on something that sells no matter what ethnic group one belongs to. I do however, get the impression that often times we are seeing more of the minority groups in the reports (taking into account the small number they possess in the community) of gun violence, gangs, and neighborhood or family disputes. That is not to say that White Americans don’t have these problems as well; I am explaining that it is seen in the media more of the minority groups. Examples of White American media representation around here I would say often one finds we are upstanding citizens and regularly found pushing a new cause to improve something. Now I think when it comes to racism within religion, I find that there are not many problems within my community. Even though I am not heavily religious I feel it helps bind the community together, not drive a wedge between us. From my house you can drive 10-15 minutes in any direction and hit a Catholic Church, so religion is fairly prevalent in the community. Just within the past year or so we have had a few Russian/Ukrainian churches pop up in response to the influx of Russian/Ukrainian community members, adding to the newly found diversity of our tiny community. Our city’s website is very modest, but informative. The City Council is very diverse as far as gender is concerned. All of the council members are White Americans. When looking at our cities website I realize this is very much a White American dominated community. I also believe there is a vast difference between me and the leaders as far as my income. Considering income, I know of a few business men and women who are wealthy that have a large part in the communities decisions as well. I don’t have a lot of money like most leaders in my community but I do compare to pretty much all of them as far as race is concerned. When taking into account income and having higher power in decision making in our community I wonder if the minorities must feel invisible or walked on. Taking into account the minorities group interests being represented I would say they are not far from ours. Most minorities are of meek income around here because they are often found doing seasonal laborer work, and laid off in the winter months. Even though there may be a difference in income I feel as a community we come together well and we all most often go for the same cause and interests. Resolving inequities within my community' I don’t believe there are many. I feel as though I am an individual who is aware of my social surroundings and understand what is going on in the community. I would say the most prevalent issue to resolve is the low income inner city housing. It appears as though many of the minority groups live in the inner city neighborhoods and I feel like they have as much right to better schools as any of us. The issue of the lower income neighborhoods is that it affects the school attendance, taking into account mixing different races and providing more money for opportunities for the children’s learning. I am not exactly sure how to fix the problem except by the possible inconvenience of changing the zones that tell where a child goes to school. For example, if Tony lives near the inner city school and usually attends there because of the location, he may have the opportunity to go to a different school because of a zone change. If small money and big money is mixed within schools then more opportunities will abound for the children. There are many accounts here that prove each ethnic group is treated differently one way or another and of course there will always be problems we will encounter. It is irrefutable however, even considering our different lifestyles; together we all make up a strong community. References Schaefer, Richard T, Published by Prentice-Hall. (2006.) Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition, Retrieved August 29, 2010 from Axia College, ETH125 week 1chapter 1 City of Milton (2010), City Council Tab, Retrieved August 29, 2010 from http://www.cityofmilton.net/page.php'id=29 Private Citizen (2010). U.S. Census Bureau, (2000.), Quickfacts for Pierce County, Washington, retrieved August 29, 2010 from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/53/5356695.html