Race_and_Your_Community

Race and Your Community Axia College of University of Phoenix “Race and Your Community” In the community that I live in, it was known to be a racist town many years ago. Slavery was present and plantations existed and still do today. My city was created in 1853 with most of the newcomers being African Americans brought to cultivate its rich cotton lands. Although times have changed to give African Americans some advantage in getting good paying jobs, a better education, and freedom to live as we please; racism and prejudice acts are still present and are shown occasionally. After the abolishment of slavery blacks now have a chance to access the things only whites once had access to; however, racism is not totally wiped out completely in this world. There are many members in my community that look like me. African Americans look the same in skin color of many different shades. Most skin colors are light, medium, dark, and mixed with one of the other ethnic groups. Other differences are the way my race may dress; wear their hair, body shapes of all sorts, social and mental difficulty, living standards. Because of these similarities or differences, it should not change the views of Blacks and how they are treated by other ethnic groups. In an article written by Jerry Jacobson, discussing his race and community; he says, “Upon examining the members of the community where he live, he immediately notices the similarities and differences that we had in terms of physicality. Though gender and age is very much prominent in examining his fellow community dwellers, the color of the skin was the one that he first looked into without consciously doing so. More importantly, he rarely saw the vastness in number of whites but he paid importance to the few blacks in his community. It was not because he had something against them from the get go but it was interesting to see that he immediately formed boxes wherein people were placed into categories-one for those who he identified with and one for those who he saw himself different from. He remembers one time when he happens to visit a black community and he suddenly felt so small. He felt as though he was being examined so thoroughly and all he could think about was to just leave and place the moment that he was done with his business. Come to think of it, this is probably what the black people of his community felt at some point (or maybe a lot of times) since they are outnumbered by whites in his side of town” (Jacobson 2009). As Jerry stated, Black are often treated with prejudice and never given the chance to prove them selves as being likable or harmful to a community. The leaders of my community that are supportive of African Americans and try to be a productive resource often face opposition. The city officials of my community are of a mixed panel but always disagree with the changes one may be trying to make. I sometimes think that personal reasons are the motive behind such uncooperative behavior. Doing this only makes them loose focus on the purpose of their position and their place in the community. Jacobson says, “the actions and policies that the political leaders of his community implement; he notices an existing schism between white political leaders and black people and/or black political leaders and white people. More often than not, privileges and services are given towards the political leaders; race and little for the other” (Jacobson 2009). When leaders can not come together on a professional level this does not give African Americans of my community any hope for change. “Although school, government and other institutions create order and lessen prejudice and racism that could possibly take in the community, says Jacobson. In fact, the political leaders never take the middle ground and instead reflect or refract certain attitudes of his or her community” (Jacobson, 2009). Most African Americans are known for not treating each other with respect in my community. From what I can see the family structure of my ethnic group is not at all strong, families are always feuding sometime leading to casualty, gangs are evident in my community which cause harm to their own kind. None the least do every person of the African American group treat each other unfairly but insist of being cooperative with one another to end societies image of us. It is disgusting and sometimes shameful when the people of my race actions show no moral or ethical respect. The older generation believed in being respectful and treating each other nice, teaching their children to do the same. I can not say that this is the case for today’s generation of African Americans. It seems that the teachings of moral and ethical respect have diminished in most blacks. Today, you see more relationships and friendships of different races joined together and getting along well. So it is not at all impossible for races to come together on one accord. In Jacobson’s research article he says, “In examining his activities in the community, with all things being equal, he would indeed feel more comfortable being with his fellow single, white females more than other races that are single as well. It is as if he developed favoritism for white females automatically even though he has never interacted with both groups to justify his reason for favoring whites over blacks. In fact, in some situations, his group finds them selves talking about the other people of different descent in casual conversations. Moreover, it seems like he enjoys contrasting himself from them and perceiving his group as being good than others” (Jacobson, 2009). The text and work manuals that I come across do not particularly specify a certain race. To prevent legal action, I think all information was created and presented as across the board as to not discriminate against no one race or person. Never have I seen work manuals to be that explicit but I am sure it probably does exist in some parts of the world. In this course, cultural diversity and other world history, text books for schools is where I discovered may contain information about or by people of my race. The local media in my town usually does not represent African Americans. They normally cover stories about situations that may involve some one from my race. Many of the stories or situations covered are not positive or good. Occasionally the media will air positive reports of someone in my race such as a heroic act, lottery winnings, or local community involvement. Jacobson failed to mention any media coverage in his discussion. As for as my views of my community, the majority of the ones who hold leadership positions have similar views as mine to become a better community by working together to make positive changes for my race. Increasing positions, having better options to increase the financial status of my race, and involvement in the community is also a concern of mine as well as leadership here in my community. I think the difference would be that other races get their needs and concerns met and are taken up on their suggestions over my race in the community. Other races are somewhat favored and Jacobson agrees by saying, “Having examined the extensiveness of representation in my community, there is no doubt that racial groups are favored over others. However, I noticed that though the minority groups are accommodated by the community leaders; they are also categorized into a special category with peculiar characteristics than the mainstream population” (Jacobson, 2009). So to be honest, African Americans do not get the fair representation or treatment that whites and other ethnic groups receive. Jacobson being a White American knows all to well how he can get more than he probably deserves all because of his race. How unfair can life really be' I would love to change the stereotyping my group receives just because the color of their skin and that we are all categorized as untrustworthy. African Americans deserve to have nice homes, good paying jobs, and live a positive life without being discriminated against. One bad apple does not spoil the bunch, if given a chance to redeem or prove themselves blacks can be good neighbors, coworkers and positive leaders in the community. I think for so blacks have resulted to negative or bad behaviors because of unfair treatment and prejudice acts against them. I can say as with all races there are some individuals who will not be anything and there is really nothing to be done about that but do not hindered someone else that wants to succeed from being successful. Mr. Jacobson feels that it is the mind playing games but with no first hand experience of prejudice or discrimination, he would say it is a mind game. From the text covered the concepts of segregation, immigration, prejudice, and discrimination all relate to the African American race. References Jacobson, J (2009). Race and Your Community. Autobiography retrieved September 23, 2009.