Premium Essay

Bilingual Culture: Prejudice And Racism

Submitted By
Words 499
Pages 2
In efforts to abide by the accepted sociological norm of whiteness; despite being from a Latino decent, I have found myself product of the unspoken “normalcy” of white culture. My first example of this is that when I’m entering the main college campus at the University of Rhode Island Kingston Campus, I have found myself either turning down or switching the Spanish radio station to something more “American” or “white” because I fear of how I would fit in or be looked upon. Second, I have noticed that when I tend to go out with some of my friends, especially those who happen to be white, I always have little to no saying on the places we visit; this again, for fear that the places I decide on are not a representation of whiteness. Thirdly, I have found that in connection to my normalcy number two, I tend to order relatively the same foods that my white friends order, instead of ordering something that I really want; my order to the waitress is more on the accepted sociological belief of what whiteness constitutes.

(11) – Though it might be strange to think about Racism in two different spectrums or categories, the reality of the matter is that indeed, Racism can be divided into two sections. When we think about racism, the first image that comes to our mind is that of another …show more content…
In their book Racial Domination, Racial Progress the Sociology of Race in America, Matthew Desmond & Mustafa Emirbayer explain that Racism is part of the American culture. In quoting law professor Charles Lawrence, there is a cultural heritage that influences many of the actions we as a society undertake. It can be said, that the term symbolic violence can be one example for why institutional and interpersonal racism still exist in the 21st

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Bilingual Analysis

...To avoid any type of institutional barrier students and parents should count with the help of Spanish interpreters for parent-teacher conferences and under any academic and personal circumstances. Bilingual teachers from kindergarten through fifth grade (at least), should be available for the Hispanic parents, assisting them to learn the school system and strategies to help their kids to read at home and do their homework. Newsletters and all school information need to be sent home in both languages. School counselors also need to either be bilingual or work with interpreters, as well as social workers and the school psychologists. Speech pathologists should test students’ speech in English and Spanish. Furthermore, it is essential that parents get involved with the education of their children; the school system should do everything possible to avoid institutional disadvantages to minority groups and get this ethnic group of parents involved with the school and their students’ education. Parents need to learn the language, not only to help their kids, but to build a better future for them and their families. Getting...

Words: 2599 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Translator

...racism |  (rszm) n. 1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.racist adj. & n. | → The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. racism (ˈreɪsɪzəm) or racialism n 1. (Sociology) the belief that races has distinctive cultural characteristics determined by hereditary factors and that this endows some races with an intrinsic superiority over others 2. (Sociology) abusive or aggressive behavior towards members of another race on the basis of such a belief ˈracist ˈracialist n, adj →Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003 rac•ism (ˈreɪsɪzəm) n. 1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usu. involving the idea that one's own race is superior. 2. a policy, system of government, etc., based on such a doctrine. 3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. [1865–70; < French racisme. See race2, -ism] rac′ist, n., adj. →Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. racism 1. a belief that human races have...

Words: 1009 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Ethnic Groups and Discrimination

...workers also worked in situations that were considered in humane (Public Broadcast System, 2010). The Public Broadcast System (2010) website states that “between the period of 1942 and 1964, millions of Mexicans were imported into the U.S. as "braceros" under the Bracero Program to work temporarily on contract to United States growers and ranchers.” Prejudice dealings were among the many things that the Mexicans had to face. The working conditions alone could be considered a prejudice. Just because the workers were willing to work for a lower wage and forced to live and work in humane environments proved to be a form of discrimination. In the 1920’s there was a social prejudice against Mexicans, they were viewed as a threat to the health and morals to the rest of the society (National Park Service, 2004). In 1930 it was recommended that the classrooms be segregated between the Mexicans and the Americans. In fact, it was encouraged that the schools be segregated completely form one another (National Park Service, 2004). The mere fact that the people felt the need to segregate children in schools shows that there was racism among the community. The Mexican workers and their families were forced to live and work in environments that would be considered uncivilized. These work environments could fall under the Dual Labor Market since it did in fact victimize...

Words: 731 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Second Generation Korean Americans

...more positive outcome. The author focuses on the three churches and analyzes their perceptions : a desire to reach out for other Korean Americans, enlarge their congregation including non-Korean Americans, and a determination in becoming multiracial.The author also makes implication on whether these churches are defined, stretch, contested. She investigates on the values of ethnic identity and culture within churches, debates for any limitations and contradictions, and considers for potential possibilities and hopes. In mono-ethnic churches, they are mostly 1.5 Korean Americans...

Words: 973 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Hispanic Americans

...Hispanic Americans for centuries have a significant role of contribution to society in the United States bringing diversity to the customs and cultures of Americans. Hispanic Americans impacted areas such as politics, public service, scientific, cultural foods and entertainment. Most historians have no knowledge or will acknowledged these impacts Hispanic Americans made on United States history therefore has entrenched anti-Hispanic racism in America. Mexican Americans have the largest population title of Hispanic groups here in the United States and for more than four centuries they have been a major part of history. In the past 30 years the population of Hispanic Americans grew dramatically within the United States. Hispanic Americans include 11% of the U.S. population of which 3.6 million reside in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Dioceses 2012). Many may say that there is racism towards Hispanics but truth is Hispanic is actually not a race but an ethnic classification. Hispanics are individuals that have been in the United States for a long time dating back when settlers where taking over the land of native Indians. Hispanic Americans have different features of their heritage there are distinct differences of Hispanic cultures depending from the country of origin. There are unique immigration waves from each part of the countries of origin that Mexican Americans have the most unique pattern of them all. In the mid 1800s the result of the Mexican War in 1846 to 1848 this...

Words: 705 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Cultural Diversity

...Final Project Kathleen Culbreth ETH/125 August 11, 2013 Kathryn Grant * * When you are able to see how other cultures live and interact, you learn that everyone is different. This knowledge has helped me to realize that the differences between cultures can be a significant factor in our lives. What I have learned in this course has helped me learn how diversity can promote more tolerance which in turn helps us to accept other cultures and their specific way of life. The point I am trying to make is that everyone is different because of the culture that they were raised in and that the differences can be helpful in strengthening the society in which we all live. It allows us to learn a new way of life which helps us grow closer to becoming a united society. If we accept and embrace the differences, we can no longer be blind to the reality of life and what is going on around us. I believe that if we use what we learn, it can increase a deeper tolerance which in turn should help decrease racism, prejudice and discrimination. The most important thing we need to do is to stop grouping people. When we place people into a certain group, this causes us to be divided. As long as we remain a nation divided, we will continue to see attacks by one group on another group instead of the solidarity that a united nation can bring. * * Although my race is Caucasian, my ethnicity is Irish/German/Polish. I could not find any information as to my ethnicity so I suppose...

Words: 2329 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Final Requirements Assignment

...What information about diversity in the United States has helped you better understand or relate to others in ways that you may not have in the past? * * When looking at the information that we covered in this class what has helped me the most has been learning about the history of the problems, learning about the history of immigration and how this has molded our country into its current state and learning that we are moving always towards “one race”. This makes us closer to just being “Americans”. Have you learned something new about your own racial, ethnic, or cultural history? * I had the opportunity to not only research to find out my own heritage, but I was able to learn about the history involving my ancestors. While I knew what my heritage was prior to this I was unaware of the trials and tribulations that my people went through to not only come to America in the beginning, but also what they experienced when they arrived. Life in America was not easy for anyone, but with hard work and determination each group has made their own place in America. What will the U.S. population look like in the year 2050? Why do you think so? * * The United States in the year 2050 will be more of the melting pot, often referred to in our society. If current trends continue, the population of the United States will rise to 438 million in 2050, from 296 million in 2005, and 82% of the increase will be due to immigrants arriving from 2005 to 2050 and their U.S...

Words: 1856 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Admissions

...September 1, 2013 HRMG 5000 Diversity Reflections Tulsa, Oklahoma; home to one of the nation’s worst race riots has always been and still is a city divided by ethnicity. At one time Tulsa was so segregated and racist that it was the only city in America to brag about having segregated telephone booths. African American families lived on the North side of Tulsa, Native Americans resided mainly in West Tulsa, and Caucasin families lived on the South side. Since Blacks could not live among Whites are their equals, nor patronize the White businesses, they created a completely separate business district and community. I can remember growing up, venturing outside of North Tulsa was like going to visit another city or state. If my parents had business to take care of on the other side of town and they took us with them, they would always tell us “not to stare at the white folks so we wouldn’t cause any trouble”. I did not have any friends that were not African American until a Caucasin family moved into our neighborhood. I was about 14 at the time. While the children of that family had no problem befriending us, my Dad strictly forbade us to allow them in our home. So that friendship did not last long as it just became easier to avoid them than to try to explain why we could only talk to and play with them at school. This trend continued pretty much through high school as I attended a predominately black school, with only a handful of students of different ethnicities. Living in...

Words: 1225 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Anti Bias

...should be Multicultural friendly that implement the education which have an active approach to challenge all prejudices, stereotypes or bias. In my opinion an Anti-Bias education is relevant because it reflects on education as a whole that is not based on if people are comfortable with the topics. Educators should have a specific goal for children and give them a clear cut educational experience. It explains how teachers should allow children to talk about what is going on in their world. Even in preschool children are expose to racism and prejudice, by implementing an Anti-bias curriculum children will have an opportunity to defect discrimination. For example, a child told another child that she do not want to play with her because the other child hair wasn’t done. This situation needed to be address right away because you would not want the any child to feel bad about him or herself, because the other children do not want to play with them. Perception by children that they are not good because of their race, gender, religion, or some other characteristic can also have an impact on their interactions with peers and adults, their engagement in the classroom, and subsequently their school success (Curenton, S.M., & Iruka, I.U. (2013).). Parents need to be notified in fact, this type of curriculum home base ethnic should be implanting at home. If parents can acknowledge culture difference...

Words: 1433 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Asian American Mental Health

...many Asian cultures, and family obligations based on traditional values (The University of Maryland School of Public Health). The National Asian Women’s Health Organization corroborates this finding: in Breaking the Silence: A Study of Depression Among Asian American Women, researchers found that conflicting cultural values and unrealistic standards especially impact Asian women’s mental health. In more extreme cases, such pressures turn to gendered abuse; Hyeouk Hahm of The Asian Women’s Action for Resilience and Empowerment (AWARE) project reported that Asian women who engage in self-harm and suicidal behaviors are often brought up with what she refers to as ABCDG parenting, which stands for abusive, burdening, culturally disjointed, disempowering, and gender-prescriptive parenting. Such conclusions indicate a disconnect between many Asian-American parents and their children that may transcend the age gaps present in native-born families, especially in regards to how parents treat their...

Words: 745 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Psychology 101

...CHAPTER 1 some of your own emotional roadblocks on the path of cultural competence? What are your reactions to the quote by Vernon Jordan, Jr.? What were some of Mark Kiselica’s obstacles to developing cultural competence? What is your reaction to the following statement: “Without awareness and knowledge of race, culture, and ethnicity, counselors and other helping professionals could unwittingly engage in cultural oppression? What led me to become a counselor? What were my first experiences of people of color (or of Whites)? What did I learn from my family about cultural diversity and differences? What are my stereotypes and biases about individuals from other groups? Identify Mark Kiselica’s emotional roadblocks to developing cultural competence. How come Mark Kiselica over-identified with people of color? What influenced Derald Sue to go into multicultural psychology? Compare and contrast the journey's of Mark Kiselica and Derald Sue CHAPTER 2 What challenges do you think counselors face in gaining cultural competence? Would you be willing to explore your own racism, sexism, heterosexism, able-body-ism as it relates to cultural competence? If so, why? If not, why not? What is worldview? How does your worldview influence how you relate to other people, institutions, nature, time, etc.? As a counselor, how would you implement the Multidimensional Model of ultural Competence into your work with clients? What are some culturally appropriate intervention...

Words: 1389 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Cultural Competence In Health Care

...importantly, social workers advocate for their patients. Discharge planning begins on arrival at LSH. Both patient and family are included in this process. Options and guidelines are explained regarding insurance coverage. Upon successful recovery, a discharge summary is provided to your referring physician and physician consultants. Education needed to continue recovery is also provided to the patient and family. Referrals can be made by contacting the admissions department where a pre-admission screening is made via phone and a transfer to LSH is immediately coordinated. Laredo specialty hospital offers same day response, seven days a week. Social workers, including health care professionals, interact with patients from various cultures in all aspects of health care. Therefore, it has been stressed that social workers give attention to the cultural diversity of each patient, including Latinos. A challenge has been to consider a family in terms of a genetic cultural identity, which can lead to over generalization and stereotyping. Social workers are mindful in assessing the family from a multi dimensional perspective. Two social work assessment tools useful in assessing families are the ecomap, that looks at families in relationship to the external environment, and the genogram, that examines internal family relationships. It is the responsibility of health care social workers to educate other health care providers about the beliefs of culturally diverse patients and...

Words: 2677 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Race and Your Community

...Race and Your Community John Marker ETH 125 August 22, 2010 Tameka Williams-Bruce Race and Your Community I was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, which consisted then, with a population of about 26,131 people within the community during the earlier nineteen fifties. From what I recall during these times, there were 4 ethnic groups which consisted mostly of whites, at five percent, Native American Indians at three percent, African Americans, and one percent Mexican, and Asian Americans. As I grew up and began attending kinder-garden, the only people I knew were our two white neighboring families and their children. I knew what the Indians looked like because they walked past our yard on the way to patronizing at the three bars two blocks away. I just knew they were different in skin tones and black hair and some silver. After two days of kinder-garden there were 4 Indian boys added to our class. Two of the Indian boys sat next to me trying to talk to me, but were rude and were always making noise and disrupting the class. I became close friends with them several weeks later, and we all grew up and graduated together. It wasn’t until half way through the tenth grade that I met our first Chinese, Japanese Americans that transferred from California to Idaho. For me, this was a great awakening as these new students were nothing like I was raised to believe. The Japanese American girl was distant towards all other students and teachers, so I asked my Father if he...

Words: 1835 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Causal Analysis

...part of an oppressed nationality, they are subjected to the racism practiced against La Raza”(Mirtha Vidal 1971). In American society all women are oppressed. The most oppressed women in the U.S. are women of color. Among them are Chicana women, there are certain expectations of what is acceptable for women through a patriarchal and sexist society which gives men power and privilege over women. These expectations are shown through the concepts of La mujer Buena and La mujer Mala. This is even greater oppression than that faced by other women. Chicana’s oppression begins in their own home, and continues to haunt Chicana women outside their home. The concept of la mujer buena (the good woman) and la mujer mala (the bad woman) is the root of Chicana expectations that feeds into the patriarchal and sexist society women have to face. La mujer buena is expected to be silent, a virgin, and a care taker. La mujer mala is the total opposite; she is an activist, a “whore”, and is educated. When a woman falls out of the expectations of la mujer buena she is put into the category of la mujer mala simply because she wants her voice heard and isn’t just going to sit there while women are being oppressed. In Elizabeth Martinez’ 500 years of Chicana Women’s History she states, “despite the hard life faced by the working class Chicana- and we have barely suggested it here- she is expected to live according to attitudes and prejudices imposed by sexism. These include ideas about virginity, false...

Words: 1172 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Racial Polarization

...are more likely to hold negative perceptions of African-Americans and other minorities. Furthermore, racial antipathy affects the way individuals perceive Barack Obama. In light of recent trends, this study tested whether individuals who identify themselves as Republicans are substantially more likely to maintain negative racial attitudes. The study also investigated whether white Americans are more likely than other racial groups to harbor racial prejudices and disapprove of Barack Obama. Results from this study indicated that racial resentment plays a significant role in contemporary politics. Data from between-subjects ANOVA and correlational analysis suggested that the Democratic Party and Republican Party are polarized in regards to racial issues. Moreover, conservative whites are the most likely racial group to hold racial prejudices against African-Americans. Finally, disapproval of President Obama is highly associated with high levels of negative racial stereotypes. Keywords: race, antipathy, conservatism, prejudices, Obama Is Racial Antipathy Increasing? The Polarizing Effect of Obama’s Presidency In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American to become President of the United States. His election marked a pivotal turning point in American politics. To millions, Obama’s election signaled the start of a post-racial America. The country was infused with euphoria as citizens from diverse backgrounds celebrated his historical victory. For a brief period...

Words: 6638 - Pages: 27