Race_and_Etnicity

Race in My Community My community is located in Central Florida. I was born in Brazil, and when I turned 12, I moved to America. Even though most of my life I have lived in America, I consider myself to be Latin American. The majority of people in my community are Caucasian, but there are Latino groups, and African American groups in my community also. The funny thing is that I look more Caucasian then Latino. When I talk to people in my community, no one asks where I am from, they automatically assume that I am from America because I don’t have an accent, and I don’t look Latino. I get along with everyone in my community and no one has ever used any racist words towards me. Sometimes when I am out, and talking to my family on the phone, people look at me a little different because I am speaking a different language. Sometimes I wonder: “If my skin were a little bit darker and if I had an accent would people that are nice to me now act differently then'” The only way that people can tell that I am Latino is if I am hanging out with other Latinos or if they listen to me speaking Portuguese. Before moving to Florida, I thought that my community would have more Latino people. Instead the majority of people here are Caucasian. Regardless of race or color, everyone in my community is treated fairly well and with respect. There are, however, always the few people who try to start trouble and act racist towards other ethnic groups. Members of my community look like me. The majority of the community I live in dresses alike, has light skin color, and speaks mainly English. The only difference is that I am Latino and speak Portuguese. The community does not know these things about me unless they know me personally. My wife has told me several times that when I go out with her, and I speak Portuguese with my family members over the phone, that other people say “I bet they don’t even speak English.” I feel that if I don’t speak English when I go out, people will just look at me in a weird way, like they are saying to themselves: “what is he doing here'” Leaders of the community treat everyone equally; they do not lean towards one group over the other. I attend a very popular local church, and the leader of the church welcomes everyone with open arms to the church. The pastor is not only the leader of the church, but he is also one of the many the leaders of my community. The pastor accepts everyone into the church, regardless of race or ethnicity. The church is definitely one place I feel comfortable going to on a weekly basis because I don’t have to worry about being judged. I know when I am in the church I can just be myself. I have never had any problems with anyone in my community. Everyone treats me really nice and with respect. Even people who know that I am Latino continue to treat me the same way and we all get along. Everyone gets treated with respect in my community. I have not witnessed any prejudice or racism occurring in my community. This is not to say that it does not exist, I believe every community has people that are prejudice and racist towards other groups. I feel very comfortable, and welcomed at my job. The people I work with come from different places and backgrounds. There is diversity at my workplace. I feel very included when I read work manuals at my job, and talk to other people I work with. Even though I feel comfortable in my community, and work place, there are always those people that look at others and make them feel awkward, and uneasy at times for a multitude of reasons. One really never knows the reason why they are looking at one the way they are. Florida has one of the highest populations of Latinos in the United States. Currently 20.6% of people living in Florida are Latinos and or Hispanics (US Census Bureau). In the community I live in only 3.5% of the populations are Latinos and or Hispanics. (US Census Bureau) I feel that the local media in my community does represent Latinos. The news channel that covers Central Florida always has one or two Latinos working at the news channel. One of the news channels also offers the news in Spanish on a separate channel. There are also radio stations that are announced in Spanish, and play Spanish music. These stations offer local news, and traffic reports in Spanish. I believe there will always be inequities not only in my community, but other communities as well in America. These inequities will not change unless people are willing to change first, and put their differences aside. I believe only minor changes need to be done to improve the community. I also believe that people need to come together in the community and try to come up with solutions, and ways of improving the small things that need to be changed. I believe that they need to add more programs that involve not only the Latin community but also the African American community. I believe the country is changing for the better, and that communities across America will start to be more equal and fair towards all ethnic groups not only one. In order for that to happen, each individual needs to make a commitment to end prejudice and racism in America. I also believe that parents need to start teaching their children about different cultures and races in their community, so they can learn to be tolerant towards other ethnic groups. We also need to educate and prevent minorities from falling prey to stereotypes that prevent minorities from achieving success. In many communities, education among minorities is of poor quality. Urban schools have a long record of underperforming due to lack of funds, lack of teachers, poor building conditions, and lack of materials. Many students in these urban schools do not feel important to the system because the system has invested so little into the education of these urban children, while they have seen the system invest quite heavily into primarily Caucasian schools. These children often feel as though this is because the system believes that not much will come of educating urban children, and the children in turn begin to feel as though they will not achieve much in life. Such is the beginning of the minority’s self-fulfilling prophecy that leads many minorities into poverty and a life of crime. I believe that some people, not only in my community, but across America need to realize that English is not the only language in America. My wife is Caucasian, and when she met me she told me that she has heard people make statements about others speaking foreign languages. She said that when people speak a different language that they are considered to be immigrants, either legal or illegal. My wife said that most people would make statements that these Hispanics and or Latinos “should learn English because they live in America.” Most people from other countries do speak English, it is just that they feel more comfortable speaking their native language around their friends and family members. All we can do is hope that one day, not only America, but the whole world can put their differences aside and realize that we are all created equally. The prejudice and racism must stop in order to create a better community not only for ourselves but for our future children Regardless of whether or not I look Caucasian, and have been here in America most of my life, I will always consider myself to be Latino. I am an American citizen but I believe one has to stay close to one’s heritage and where one originates from. I believe that different races and ethnicities help to enrich the culture of America. When I have kids, I will teach them about the different cultures and races that not only live in our community but all over America. This is so that my children will be open minded and respectful towards other cultures and try to learn more about these cultures. References U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts. Data derived from Population Estimates, 2000 Census of Population and Housing, 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, County Business Patterns, 2002 Economic Census, Minority- and Women-Owned Business, Building Permits, Consolidated Federal Funds Report, Census of Governments