Chapter Ten: Race and Ethnicity
Chapter ten is full of terms, ideas, and examples of ethnicity and racism. Termed, "The Melting Pot," the United States has a rare demographic opportunity to have different cultures from around the world all living within the same boarders. While the exposure to many types of culture should be a wonderful experience, there are many problems that stem from the merging of ethnicities. Racism, ethnocentrism, and closed minds are common to find throughout our country. While racism and discrimination are not subjects to be overlook, the main subjects that drew me into chapter ten were the descriptions of two ethnic groups: The Native Americans and the Caucasians.
White Ethnic Groups
Racism and discrimination under any circumstance is not okay and is never excusable. That being said, many people forget that racism and racial stereotypes can be a two way street. The diversity between Caucasian groups has been overlooked throughout American history. Just as the Japanese and Chinese would not like to be meshed into one group, different nationalities from Europe such as the Irish and Italians would like to be ethnically appreciated.
I found it very interesting that white ethnic groups have experienced times of prejudice. The Irish, Italians, and even Scandinavians have all been discriminated against upon arrival to the United States. This proves that prejudice is a reaction to change and new faces. People are weary of newcomers. The original settlers of the New World were the White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs) eager to escape religious and political pressures from Great Britain. During the first wave of European immigration from northern Europe, the WASPs disliked the foreigners. Nationalities were banned from certain businesses, jobs, rights, and were also given disrespectful slang names. A very interesting fact is that the WASPs gave every other group a specific nationality an stereotype, yet left themselves out.
Here is an extensive list of all of the racial slurs that are applied to just about every ethnic group around the world:
http://filesharingtalk.com/threads/131022-List-of-ethnic-slurs-by-ethnicity
Eventually, the European newcomers settled into society and now face very little discrimination. Hopefully this will be the case for the newest wave of immigrants such as Hispanic or Middle Easterners.
Here is the introduction to Peter Boyer's "Ellis Island" documentary to show the diversity in the many faces that arrived to America for the first time through Ellis Island:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfDS1BQarmo
Native Americans
Chapter ten also caught my attention with the section about Native Americans. Since this is a sociology blog and not a history blog, I focused on the effects that the past three centuries have had on Native Americans. According to the book, fifty five percent of Native Americans live on a reservation. Reservations have not benefited the Native Americans at all. Native Americans are among the lowest ethnicity on the social ladder. Many people are unemployed, alcoholics, and live in poverty.
For a year I went to school in Montana, a state with a very high Native American population. I had the chance to see Native American's lives on the reservation. One Saturday I went to a high school basketball game for the town of Browning, which is on a reservation. In the stands I saw exactly what the sociology book describes. There were several teen mothers, clothing that were tattered and dirty (status symbols from chapter eight), and at least one fight. The hardships from living on the reservation was mirrored by the crowd for the basketball game.
Another example of the issue Native Americans face is alcoholism. I read an autobiography that year called Ordinary Wolves that described an Eskimo tribe. With each passing year, the traditions and native customs were suppressed and replaced with Western customs. The loss of tribal identity resulted in severe alcoholism and depression.
Here is a link to an MSNBC article about the rate of alcohol related deaths in the Native American community:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26439767/ns/health-addictions/
Despite the alcoholism and poverty, there is still Native American pride to be felt. Native Americans do have a rich history with the land and a beautiful culture to be preserved. I felt this quote summed up just how prideful a Native American should be.
| "There is no such thing as 'part-Cherokee.' Either you're Cherokee or you're not. It isn't the quantity of Cherokee blood in your veins that is important, but the quality of it . . . your pride in it. I have seen full-bloods who have virtually no idea of the great legacy entrusted to their care. Yet, I have seen people with as little as 1/500th blood quantum who inspire the spirits of their ancestors because they make being Cherokee a proud part of a their everyday life." ~Jim Pell: Principal Chief of the North Alabama Cherokee Tribe ~ |
Some Photos Illustrating Then and Now
A Sioux Woman
Celebrating the Native American Pow Wow Tradition
The Great Plains were once thriving with bison herds....
And are now empty....
While the living conditions of Native Americans are the lowest of any ethnic group in America, there is hope. Websites such a PlanetYouth are online to assist and educated Native Americans. Here, kids can explore other Native tribes, learn to play the drums, and build some pride about being a Native American.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/ih/codetalk/planet/index.html
Crossword Puzzle for Some Fun!
