Race_and_My_Community

I live in a small community in Delmar, Maryland. My town is known to be called “The Little Town Too Big for One State.” The reason for this is because of the history of the town. The Town of Delmar was founded in October 1859 with the extension of the Delaware Railroad to the southern boundary of Delaware. The Tran peninsular Line was responsible for the founding of this unique bi-state town because the Charter of the Delaware Railroad Company permitted only the building of a railroad within the State of Delaware and the charter of the corresponding railroad company in Maryland permitted only the laying of railroad track within the State of Maryland. Thus, in 1859, the two respective railroads met and the Town of Delmar was born. The name of Delmar was derived for this railroad center from the states whose line it straddles. For such a small population, about 1,407 on the Delaware side and 1,859 on the Maryland side, we have a very diverse group of residents that live and participate here. Some say it is a small version of a melting pot. Our demographics include; White, Hispanic, American Indian, Black, Arab Americans and Asians. In my direct community and neighborhood all race and ethnic groups choose to respect each other and our values and beliefs. My community chooses to practice pluralism instead of assimilation. A large number of people in my community do not look like me. In fact, there are times that I feel like White people (not of Hispanic decent) are the minorities. There are some similarities. I wear the same type of clothes as most of the people around me; however some Arab-Americans in my community dress more modestly, covering up their whole body. There is a difference in skin color also. While I am very light skinned, other members of my community have a darker skin tone. I believe that just because we all do not look and dress the same, we all should be treated the same by others. Delmar leaders are not as diverse as the total population. The city council is made up of only White people. Each side has a mayor, along with five other city council members for each side. The town has a total of 10 council members and two mayors. The differences between me and the leaders of my community are simple. They are older, finished with college and have pursued a career in local politics. One similarity is the majority of them are White like me. The physical characteristics of the council, whether they are the same or not, have nothing to do with the goal they have set for themselves as leaders.