Race

Race and Your Community Axia Collage of University of Phoenix Sisay Teketele  11/29/09 Race and Your Community From community to community there are different types of racial issues. In my town of Whiteland, in Indiana we have very few racial issues, because of very view minorities that live in Whiteland. Our town’s population is less than one percent, and is predominantly white. I seldom even see someone from another race, or minority group. So in turn this could, or may have at one time developed high amounts of prejudice, due to the fact that our white people are not used to seeing other minority groups of different races. The issues that we hold are between groups of people that are of the same race, just different in who we are, or different in moral values. One could only imagine coming to a place to live, where he or she could have a wonderful life, only to find out that the town is full of prejudice people. The way they may look at you when he or she passes by, or going out to eat with one’s family. The mean and cruel things he or she may have to listen to or by having to deal with physical and emotional abuse. What make this community different than most, we are a small community. In my community we all know each other fairly well. Our kids grew up together, and in some cases we went to school together when growing up. I think the only difference is we all look alike, and talk alike; but some of us have better jobs, and drive better vehicles than others. Larger cities and towns have higher population of people because of more available jobs, and sometimes better resources to better lifestyles. In turn will have a great deal of different races living together, and all the races learn to live together, and get along. In this town we consist nearly of almost one race, our town has more whites than any other race. Most of the people I know in my town are not prejudice, or commit prejudice acts to my knowledge. This community does not have many of the different races that one may have in a larger town or city. Most of the places one may go he or she may see only white people out on the streets, in restaurants, and in stores. Even in the schools according to Public School Info there are 14 students enrolled at the local school with only one being of another race (Public School Info 2007). We do have a Chinese restaurant where you will only find the one Chinese family that stays in Whiteland. According to the City Data, we have approximately 1,524 people living in our town, and of them, 96.9% are white/non Hispanic. 2.1% make up other races, and 1.9% are American Indians. Since our community’s population is mostly white we do not have any problems with discrimination over other cultures. In our community only whites and no other ethnic group holds any type of leadership in office, work places, or in our schools. The only racial issues that may be addressed would be we have three different types of groups, a subordinate group, a minority group, and a group that I will call (the get along group.) The get along group is between the subordinate, and minority group. To belong to the subordinate group one has to have a long history with the community. If one of the family members has held, or still holds a position in the community as a police officer, school board member, or some kind of council board member. The subordinate group normally is the ones that are the political, and politicians of the community. Our minority group is the group that wants to change, or make changes in the community. This group also feels that they have the more education, and have had better training than the older subordinate group. So if one feels that he or she is outspoken, and thinks that changes need to be made, and then this would be their group of choice. The “Get along group” is a group where one could be categorized for either group. This group just wants everyone to get along, and have respect for either group. There could be leaders or non-leaders that belong in this group. In this community the members and leaders of each group seem to treat each other differently. Even though our culture is the same we get treated differently. One may drive a nice vehicle or he or she may own a nice fancy home, if he or she does not belong to a subordinate group one may be treated quite differently. Members and leaders do treat each other with respect but seem to treat the minorities with prejudice. Seldom will the minorities hold any type of position in our community. Therefore the few minorities’ races will have problems with the community. It seems that there is discrimination with the lesser white race, against other groups. The leaders of this community represent the people of the community, and do not hold any prejudice against other groups in the community. This would be a better town if the subordinate group and the minority groups would work together. The problem is they cannot agree with each other’s decisions, and some do not want change while other do want change. The minority group says that our community needs to improve the town, and put the community first. They seem to conflict with each other all the time. They put too much blame on each other, and worry about who is right or wrong. Then trying to figure out what is best for the community. Until they can correct their own problems I do not think it will do any good for our town or community’s best interest. The fact that I have only one thing in common with the leaders of my community which is we both are white in skin color. The differences we share are, I would like to see my community grow together, and lose the discrimination of other groups in our community. Not all the leaders are this way, but I feel that most of them truly are. The older members seem to not want change, to live in the old days which are not so modern or up to date. They do not want any other stores or businesses to open in our town. They do not want our business to expand, or open in other communities. If we can solve some of the inequities in my communities it would be a great opportunity for all of our members and our community. I think if I were to change anything in our community it would be to invite different races, and become bring different type of heritages and cultures to our community. Each race would also have equal rights and equal opportunities to run for some sort of role, or leadership. I believe getting rid of discrimination, and racism, along with prejudice would help our community to grow. Having the community to grow for our workplaces inside the community would be a big help and change. More people would be offered jobs, not a select few. Having leadership opportunities for not only younger people, but open for all types of different races, those people chosen can bring in a great deal of different types of cultural things to our community. If our people could take on the role to support different races in our community, I feel the community will grow and become a more productive one for all of the members, and the people that will live here in the future. I think an allowing person of this community to have “freedom of speech” is important. If something happens in this town and is controversial. The town’s leaders want it to be approved before anything is said to the media first. To me if I feel it needs to be said I want that freedom to speak m mine, not some board members. If the media is not reporting what is going on in the community for real, then the community is not being supportive. To make this town, and community work it will take all sides a, and groups to come together and help each other. Open up and listen to one another. They need to understand, and accept change. If our leaders cannot get along how do they expect the people in the community to get along, and grow together. To have equal opportunity in a community people must understand that we cannot have discrimination, and prejudice against other cultures, African Americans, Asian, and Hispanic, or even between ourselves. We all need to know that ever human on this planet is made the same way. Yeah we may not look a lot alike, or even talk the same way, or have different religions or beliefs. But we all have hearts, and share emotions. We breathe the same air, and live one’s life the best way we can live it. So that makes us all equal. References Public School Info. ( 2009, January 12, 2009) http://www.greatschools.net/ R. Morgan, Local Community Member (personal communication, November 5, 2009) U.S. Census Bureau. (2007, September 3). Fact Sheet. Retrieved November 24 2009, from http://factfinder.census.gov.