Race and Ethnic Relations in the United States

My interest in the topic of race and ethnic relations in the US stems from personal experiences dictated by my ethnic background and race. On numerous occasions, I have been subject to stereotypes and differing treatment. Some are under the impression that my Mexican descent equates to poverty and that my interests should not gravitate towards items of high value. Consequently, when perusing high-end retail locations, I find myself being ignored, directed towards clearance items, or but bluntly informed that the merchandise would be out of my financial reach, often paired with a request to leave.

Language presumptions have placed me in situations where I am assumed to be a non-English speaker. At times, I've had to endure employees of upscale establishments making condescending remarks in English, under the assumption that I wouldn't understand. Indiscreet conversations allude to doubts over my place in the United States, with cruel whispers suggesting I should die or return to my home country.

Law enforcement authorities have subjected me to criminal accusations solely based on my family's origin. I have been wrongfully accused of theft due to my Mexican background and been outright told that my ethnic group is deemed as thieves, too lazy to work and prone to causing problems and participating in illegal groups. In these shocking instances, the real thief, a Caucasian man in this specific case, stood right beside me, unquestioned and unconsidered as the thief until the lack of evidence cleared me from the accusations.

I yearn to gain a deeper understanding of society's perspectives on race and ethnic relations. I want to grasp why conflicts between races continue to thrive, and aim to enhance my understanding of ethnicities other than my own. It's my belief that one can never accumulate too much knowledge on this subject.

I subscribe to the definition of race as a group of individuals sharing common social characteristics and physical attributes, such as eye shape, eye color, and skin tone. Conversely, ethnicity refers more comprehensively to a person's cultural background, their origin, and societal roots.

Today, we face issues regarding race due to politics. A political official has stated that certain races and ethnicities are not truly people, but animals. This mindset suggests that history is repeating itself. Some individuals still haven't learned from the past and continue to treat non-white people poorly. It is concerning that certain groups are deemed "animals", perceived as an "infestation" solely based on their skin color. It's as if we are regressing instead of progressing. In the past, African Americans were seen and treated as less than human. How is this different from what is happening today? People of color continue to suffer mistreatment simply for being themselves. Hispanic people, in particular, are mistreated due to political views. They are often stereotyped, looked down upon, and blamed unfairly, just for seeking the American dream and a better life for themselves and their families. They face harassment from strangers, influenced by the negative rhetoric our president uses when referring to them. The world would improve considerably if our society was more accepting of all races and ethnic backgrounds.

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