Associate Program Material

Religious and Ethnic Groups Paper Instructions

Part I

Select at least 1 religious and 1 ethnic/racial group not your own from the list below.

Religious groups (based on http://religions.pewforum.org/pdf/affiliations-all-traditions.pdf)

Christianity

Evangelical Protestant
Mainline Protestant
Historically Black Churches
Roman Catholic
Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Orthodox (Greek, Eastern)

Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform)
Buddhism (Theravada or Mahayana)
Islam (Sunni, Shia, Sufism)
Hinduism

Racial/ethnic groups (based on divisions in U.S. Census Bureau documents)

Asian (Asian descent)
Black (African descent)
Hispanic and Latino (South or Central American descent)
Pacific Islander (Polynesian descent)
White (European descent)

Part II

Write a 750- to 1,400-word paper in which you consider the following regarding the religious group and racial/ethnic group you selected:

Religious group:

How does your selected religious group differ from other religious groups (such as in their beliefs, worship practices, or values)?
According to social and political views, the Mormon religion is different and therefore, is most noticeable than that of the population in general, and other religions. Their conservation towards political and culture issues are different. A vast amount of Mormons say that definite rulings of right and wrong are strongly held. The Mormons feel that the values they have are felt threatened often by Hollywood. The Mormons are considered to be Republican a lot more when it comes to other traditions of important religions. This includes members of the Evangelical Protestant churches. They seem to involve their issues on postions such as whether or not abortions should be considered illegal or legal. They question as to whether homosexuality should be considered accepted or unacceptable by society. They also question, as well, the government's role and size.

- Reference: pewforum.org/2009/07/24/a-portrait-of-mormons-in-the-us-social-and-political-views/

What has been the experience of your selected religious group with others that do not share its beliefs or practices?
The Mormons pretty much feel about other religions as other people do with religious views that are different. They take into consideration, the feelings of how their religion is. Other people should not feel offended, as that is probably how they feel concerning their religion as well. Everyone loves and thinks that their religion is the best.
Here is a quote from Thomas Carlyle:
“A man's religion is the most important thing about him. This is what he believes in and thinks about, and stands for, and works at and lives by”

It is important that people respect the decisions that others have made toward their choice of religion. It is said that we all have the right to exercise what religion we choose for ourselves. It is the sign of respect to accept the choices of humanity when it comesssss to otherss choosing their religion. To be a Christian, means to practice more than just the religious tolerance. Because of this reasoning, the congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, does embrace and willingly accepts all things that are good in other people of other religions.

References: Idshana-askmormon.com/hub/What-Do-Mormons-Think-About-Other-Religions

In what ways has the religious group you selected contributed to American culture? According to the politics of Glenn Beck to the reality of television's Big Love and Broadway hit The Book of Mormon, it is said that Mormons have converted a noticeable key of mainstream culture that was popular. Since most Americans know about Mormonism existing, and they also know about myths that are exaggerated regarding the Mormonism, so this is the cause of why there is a public reputation that has been badly represented. It is said that Lee Trepanier and Lynita K. Newswander go past sterotypical and quintessential representation of Mormonismm, to unloaddd the compelling and occasional astonishing parts that Mormons have taken place the construction of present-day America. Going from favored politics to cultureee to the Mormon domination in sociable differences, LDS in the USA shows Mormonism to be condescensionally American with both securely fixed within American culture and free to enlist in the social square.

References: www.baylorpress.com/Book/285/LDS_in_the_USA.html

Provide specific examples of prejudice or discrimination your selected religious group has experienced.

It happened on a rather tranquil day of September located in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. An all-white Central High School attempts to keep nine African American pupils from going to the school. It was known that Governor Orval Faubus attempted , but was not able to keep the the pupils from going to the school despite 3 years before when Brown v. Board of Education prohibited segregation not be outlawed in public schools. Later, 50 or more years following The Little Rock Nine and intolerance remains forbidding students to attend schools. No, this time it does not concern the color of their skin, but because of their religion being Mormonism. People of the Mormon religion have been pulled over by the police plenty of times and told them to spread eagle as if it had happened plenty of times before, but for the majority, it was their first time. The officers went as far as even showing how to spread eagle. People have been pulled over due to the color of their skin, even when riding a bicycle. Guys have experienced parents not wanting them to date their daughters. Another school had also discriminated and not let a student that was Mormon in
Anchorage/ A teacher located in Elders Quorum was told that he was not allowed to turn in an application that was for a Christian school due to his Mormon religion. There was a conference whereas President Henckley said in one General conference:

I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. How can any man holding the Melchizedek Priesthood arrogantly assume that he is eligible for the priesthood, whereas another who lives a righteous life but whose skin is of a different color, is ineligible?

What were the sources of this prejudice or discrimination? - The childrenthat were Mormon were being told that they could not attend school because of their religion. A woman and her sister attended a school fair at a local Christian school. When they asked the lady at the desk about enrolling her son, and the lady told her that she suggested that she not even fill out an application for her son because they were Mormon. There were police officers pulling over people that were Mormon and harrassing them, This even happened while riding a bike. This type of discrimination is outrageous.

Reference: mormonmatters.org/2008/02/24/discrimination-like-ive-never-seen-before

Does what you’ve learned about this religious group help you understand it? In what ways? Yes, I have learned a lot about how the Mormons were so disgracefully discriminated against. I just can't believe that people in society can be so cruel, as to not let children attend school because of their religion. It is not right that police are harrassing due to a person's religion, and then to deny a teacher a position to teach just because he/she are Mormon. All of this is just plain senseless and ridiculous.

Racial/ethnic group:

How does your selected racial/ethnic group differ from other racial/ethnic groups (such as differences in ancestry, language, or culture)?
The Latinos identify with both languages of Spanish and English being important, but see them in a different way. The survey says that when inquiring if Hispanic adults are obilgated to be educated in the U.S..or if they are able to get by with only speaking Spanish. Almost nine-in-ten (87%) Hispanics claim immigrant adults are obligated to be educated in English. Only 11% claim Hispanic adult immigrants can get by using Spanish only as their language. The numbers have not changed since 2002, when 89% of Hispanics claim Hispanic adult immigrants are required to be educated in English and 10% claimed they are able to make it in the U.S.. just using their Spanish language.

Reference: www.pewhispanic.org/2012/04/04/iv-language-use-among-latinos/

What has been your selected group’s experience with other groups?
Very often, racial groups living in the U.S..have been rivalries against each other. Hispanic and Asian American members might be aware that their families usually took it upon themselves to immigrate, thus arriving within communities that were free, withholding culturee, families, and values, during the time while Africans that were enslaved, were involuntarily made to migrate, having to leave their families behind, their religion, and their culture and language. Immigrantss that were not white were faced with a two-tiered system, the whites were on the top and the blacks were located on the bottom; the groups and individuals success was based on how “white” or “black” that they acted or seemed to be. The Asian Americans who were known to be “model minority” stereotype sizes them up to not be considered of the white vast amount of the minority, but instead to groups that are “less successful”, mostly African-Americans- even though having not been faced with the equal historian hurdles

Reference: www.tracesofthetrade.org/guides-and-materials/viewingdiscussion-experience-for-other-race-group-and-ethnic-ethnicities/

In what ways has the racial/ethnic group you selected contributed to American culture?

Identify some specific examples of prejudice or discrimination that your selected group has experienced historically.
- It is known that every year high school students throughout America anticipate the celebrations of Senior Week. One school, however, had taken this celebration too far. Canyon High School located in Anaheim, California, since 2009, has had a celebration of “Seniores and Senoritas Day”. The students were inspired to wear an attire theme that of a Latino. Thus, this gave the students the idea to come to school dressed as gardeners, border patrol agents, and gang members. Some of the students wore sombreros and mustachesss, one student dressed as a pregnant lady pushing a baby stroller. This festivity ended when a former student, Jared Garcia-Kessler,19, lodged complaints. Because of these complaints, the school administrators have now made a commitment to show diversity. It was quite amazing that Seniores Day had been celebrated for many years until it was discovered to be degrading towards Hispanics. It was even more surprising to be known as a school function event. This was also surprising to think that Latinos being discriminated against was not happening anymore. This showed a huge oversight of sense directed from the Canyon High faculty officials. Again, the Orange County community, in July, was shaken by people protesting against two Latino men who were shot to death by police. The Orange County citizens held marches to protest the brutality brought on by the police as citizens belonging to the Hispanic community had required urgency for justice. This protesting shold have been a learning experience for Canyon High to understand what tolerance and civil rights is all about. However, Hispanic sterotyping was ignored by the high school's faculty, all in ignorance of “fun”.
- In our schools, unfortunately, Latinos still face racism. The Southern Poverty Law Center just recently brought forward a suit against one Lousiana district saying that Latino students were being asked concerning their immigration. One student was referred to by a teacher as being a “wetback”, and the parents that would call the school to speak with a faculty member, if they were Spanish-speaking, were hung upon on a daily basis. A Federal Appeals court, earlier this month, attacked a portion of an Alabama law that required all schools to keep an eye on the citizenship of parents and students. It is no surprise that in 2010, the Pew Center seen 61 percent of Latinos claiming discrimination towards Hispanics is still considered “a major problem”.

What were the sources of this prejudice or discrimination? - The sources of this prejudice and discrimination was brought forward by the school administration and the police. The school administration poked fun at the Latino and Hispanic students by having a “Seniore and Senoritas Day”, whereas other students dressed up making fun of them. The school staff would hang up on parents if they were Spanish-speaking. The police shot and killed two Latino men showing racism and discrimination against the Latino and Hispanic community.

Reference: nbclatino.com/2012/08/27/opinion-discrimination-against-latinos-still-a-major-problem/

Does what you’ve learned about this racial/ethnic group help you understand it? How? - Yes, I have learned that there is still a lot of ignorance and disrespect towards the Hispanic and Latino population. What racial and discrimination went on years ago, still exists today causing a lot of humility towards the Hispanics and Latinos. They will never go without being discriminated against either because of their cultural ways or their language.

Include the following as part of your conclusion:

How are the prejudice and discrimination experienced by your selected religious group and racial/ethnic group similar?
- Both the Mormons and Hispanic/Latinos were showed prejudism because of who they were. The Mormons and the Hispanics/Latinos were both unwelcomed in white schools.

How are they different?
- They are different because the Mormon's children were not welcomed in schools because of their religion. Latino and Hispanic children were not welcomed in school because of their ethnic background and their language being Spanish.

Can you draw any conclusions about discrimination from this comparison? - I have come to the conclusion that people are discriminated against because they seem to other people as being different. They are discriminated against because of their religion, their culture, and language. Seems to me that the white people will judge you for just about anything. They seem as if they are more superior than anyone else. They even discriminate against and show prejudism towards their own people if they don't feel that they are up to their standards. Therefore, prejudism and discrimination will go on forever.

1

2 References

www.pewhispanic.org/2012/04/04/iv-language-use-among-latinos/

www.tracesofthetrade.org/guides-and-materials/viewingdiscussion-experience-for-other-race-groups-and-ethnic-ethnicity

nbclatino.com/2012/08/27/opinion-discrimination-against-latinos-still-a-major-problem/