Racial and ethnic
inequality has been a part of human life as far back as the first
diversity of blue eyes, or blonde hair appeared. Humans naturally
notice differences – the question is, do they discriminate based on
these differences? We have all been a part of ethnocentric practices
whether we realize it or not. Simply noticing the marked differences
between African Americans and white people can be considered
ethnocentric to an extent. Why? Because when an American sees a
person from a different culture, he or she does not think to
themselves “oh they are better than me”. And the same goes for
an Indian, Chinese, Mexican person looking outside to other cultures.
We, as humans automatically want to feel superior – whether it is
due to race, creed, etc... In any given culture, people are reminded
that their culture is a good culture. For instance, in America, we
give thanks to the President, and those who believe in him imagine that God is on our side no
matter what. We are taught at a young age our country's national
anthem, and pledge of allegiance (which by name is a pledge of
allegiance to our home country, and by definition is ethnocentric in
nature itself). Therefore, we have all been guilty at one point of
ethnocentric behaviors by simply believing our culture, or country is
the best. Who would admit it wasn't?
I want to discuss what is
meant by the social construction of race, how this concept can be
applied to Americans from multiple racial backgrounds; I will discuss
the various ethnocentric practices historically used by the United
States that may have contributed to the development of prejudicial
attitudes toward other cultures or groups of people, I will define
the term “model
minority”
and
discuss which minority group in America is perceived as living up to
that image; I will explain why other minorities have not been as
fortunate in obtaining a "model" status; and lastly, I will
describe how I have been ethnocentric in my own behaviors as well as
my positive and negative ways of thinking in regards to other
cultures and belief-systems.
The
social construction of race is defined simply as a designated and
understood separation of races based on social and cultural
differences. The distinctness of racial formations is that no one
person or group can escape the label they are given in any society.
For instance, Native Americans are Native Americans, white people are
white people, mixed people are mixed color / nationality, etc...
Race is micro-defined by looking at genetics, ancestry, national
origin, facial features and skin color mainly. Although, we are
actually all one race – the human race- in society, people tend to
construct races based on the aforementioned qualities of an
individual or a group of people. In scientific circles, such as
anthropology, the term “race” really has no significance, since
we are, again, all human. Some examples for social construction of
race are:
1. Allotting certain land area for Native Americans.
2.
The “One-Drop” rule designated by White Legislators in the 1800's
to distinguish who was indeed Black or White.
3. When a politician
plays a “race card” and tries to instill fear or hate of another
nationality in order to win favor of his / her nationality (such was
the case with George Bush calling Iraqis “Evil Doers”).
But what
of the Americans who are “Mixed” in nationality, such as
Latin-Americans, Indian-Americans, African-Americans, etc...? How
are they to handle the situation from which none of us can escape?
Because the word and concept of race is pretty much a social
construct in itself, the answer is these people hyphenate their
nationality, or they choose one or the other. Sadly, because they
are not considered a social majority, many have a very hard time
blending in with any culture in specific. These people are then
scrutinized and subject to be stereotyped and discriminated against.
American
history has not made it easy for people of different color or
nationality to blend well with “whites”. A good example of this
is slavery - from the foundation of our roots in this country, white
men tried to and successfully enslaved and controlled Native
Americans. To me, the treatment of the Native Americans was the
worst treatment of humans ever in the history of our country (yes,
that includes African American slavery, though this was a close
second). There were many instances of maltreatment toward the Native
Americans, however the biggest slap in the face was legislation in
the early 1800's which essentially plotted their “race” off from
the rest of the “white” world. African American slavery was also
a set back which allowed for prejudice in America. When the
government, in the past, made laws that perpetuated the skin color or
nationality differences among naturalized citizens, this created
hate, fear and prejudices. The government set a bad example by
clearly insinuating that white men were better than others who were
different. Because this type of belief was indoctrinated into
citizens to create conformity, those beliefs were passed down to
children who were susceptible to their parent's ideologies.
Unfortunately, though these ideals are not as common today, children
are still being exposed to such ideologies and hate groups are formed
and condoned within the system. These hate groups and the idea that
different is bad, do come from the simple-minded ideologies of our
framers, sadly. This type of thinking has clearly contributed to
the prejudice of immigrants – in the early 1900's, Italian,
Scottish and Irish immigrants were not treated as “white” , but
rather they were treated badly in terms of social acceptance. This
still holds true today, unfortunately, when people are against
Mexican immigrants, what do they say? I have heard, “They steal
American jobs” and I have heard “They do the dirty jobs
American's refuse to do”. This is a stereotype of Mexican / Latin
people on the issue of immigration. Perhaps, and this is my opinion
of course, if the government would simply step in – a key political
figure could set the record straight on the immigration issues by
simply stating, “Please do not use hate or stereotypes on
immigrants coming to our country. We respect them as part of the
human race, as I hope they will respect us and our differences to
them as well.” But, the government does not stand up, or talk
loud, because it seems that is not a good way to win an election.
Sometimes, it is not only what governments have done, but rather what
a government has not done that hurts the human race.
A model minority is a minority group who has, despite
discrimination and prejudices, exceeded the standards of society
economically, without resorting to forming their own hate groups or
enacting violently in order to succeed. The ideal minority in
America are the Asian Americans because they have been able to rise
above expectations in education, social status and economically
without resorting to a confrontation with whites. Other races have
not reached the label of “model minority” because they have
caused confrontations, they have fought for their “rights”. For
instance, the civil rights movement, integration sit-ins and
demonstrations, prominent black leaders such as Malcolm X, Martin
Luther King and Medgar Evers in the 1960's, and eventually in today's
time, the segregation by the black community in the form of an
all-black Miss America and all-black television channels. Asian
Americans did not “rise above” the whites or try to cause
friction with the majority color of a nation. There was not an Asian
American who preached to other Asian Americans about dishonestly of
the white man. In short, Asian Americans did not try to turn other
Asian Americans against the white population in order to make a
point, thus creating the label of “model minority” for their
ethnic group in America.
Throughout
my life, I have had Mexican, French, Russian, Muslim, Jewish,
Christian, African American, Asian, and various other types of close
friends. I accept all people as friends, unless they cannot accept
other people, themselves. I do feel good about being an American,
however I do not let it rule my life. When I introduce myself to new
people I say, “hey, I'm Laura how are you?” I do not say “Hey,
I'm a white American named Laura”. I do not even think that way –
as a matter of fact, I feel that color, nationality, sexual
orientation, creed, etc... are not something to be “proud” of.
All of these things are a product of genetics, and place of birth. I
tell people that if they want to be proud of something, be proud of
an achievement or something you can actually earn; don't be proud of
circumstance.
In
conclusion, race and the social construction of race is a completely
man-made stratification within any given culture or society. It
separates people based on genetics, skin color, nationality,
ethnicity, and more instead of identifying the fact that we are all
one under the human race. No individual or group of people can
escape from their social labels, including people who are
multinational or a “mixed” race. Because of history, and
maltreatment of specific races, our country has initiated and
perpetuated hate groups, and indifference among united citizens. The
Asian American people have been labeled not only with “Asian
American”, but also with the term “model minority” which
suggest that since they were essentially quiet in overcoming
prejudice, they are considered model as opposed to other minorities
in America. I do not agree with or condone any type of segregation
among the human race or labels within the strata. I feel that
differences in people are what make people interesting. I do not
feel there is anything to fear or hate from diversity, but rather
there is more to learn.
