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This is reflected to the kind of nationals US have these days who came from different poles of the world with distinct cultural structures, historical roots, political affiliations, economic characters and social contexts. A typology of immigrants showed that they came from Europe, Asia, Latin America and other areas of the world. They all leave their families, properties and the culture which molded them to wander into larger communities that require major adjustments in lifestyles despite uncertainties, of new laws, norms and social structures that could either assimilate them or marginalize them.
Immigration therefore poses a challenge on how social relationship and interactions are accommodated in the mainstream of American society with comforting sense of belongingness. Many stories depict sad and great tales about issues on racial and identity that may relate to white’s colonial expansion and economic exploitation or to racial discrimination of African blacks which took a Hegelian success toward tribal unification and struggle for independence. This proved that migrants passed historic prejudicial processes which segregated them from the white in an ideation that their skin and identities are stamped with inferiority. This prejudice is a position made by dominant race with an imposing feeling and thought of disliking another person due too their native social characters. If such is actually manifested in behaviors by disqualifying or mistreating other people on the basis of membership, this becomes discrimination. The latter evolves into an institutional discrimination if prejudice and marginalization are done systematically as a state policy. A classic example of this case is the ironclad separation of black and white due to Apartheid policy—a law that socially segregate people by custom and laws and from black and white. This created problems on integration, organizational affiliation, access to the use of social facilities, and therefor cause disparities, inequalities or inequities in economy, politics or decision-makings, stature of very lives, distrust in social relations and, ergo, causing ethnocentrism and interracial conflicts in various forms.
The situation inspired on US administrators to dialogue about migration, race and ethnicity in search for common ground and to recognize common values such as freedom, rights, fairness, security and justice in response to growing demands of immigrants for the state to look seriously into. The series of national dialogues also situate perspectives whether race is a significant issue in America and about the deep impact of ethnicity in the process of integrating and mainstreaming new people into American fold. Such meant a discursive discussion about accessing and providing equal opportunity and equal protection, education, jobs, health care and in availing for justice under the law. It also motivated America to enhance their understanding of migrant’s history by highlighting in dialogues the experiences of Natives, Afro-Americans, Latinos, and Asian migrants. America must understanding that their nation also evolved into a multicultural and multi-ethnic country whose population and demography represent the faces of majority white, Hispanic, African, Asian and Pacific American, and American Indian as well as Alaska Native. It is not surprising therefore that its constituent will enjoy interracial marriages and distinct level of interactions.
The implications of assimilation are bit complex and challenging, but this diversity requires appreciation of cultural and structural pluralism that respect peoples distinctiveness and commonalities as persons. As migrants will be respected of their language, faith, customs, beliefs, and practices provided it is lawful and would not affect others negatively, the American government also need to bridge the gap in the enforcement of laws relating to migrants’ enjoyment of civil rights, economic opportunity, criminal justice, health care, and quality life with anent removal of barriers for their inclusion in American society. Enhancing educational opportunities for migrants will also improve children’s learning by widening educational systems and capacitating migrants to become better and helpful members of American society.
America also needs to extend its anti-poverty program by improving migrant’s access to job opportunities and provide them just compensation as well as alternative livelihood through skill-based trainings or designing job-training programs that are effective for minority and immigrant communities. The government must also assure them of reasonable access to social services such as health and affordable housing. As racial discrimination is often the cause of conflicts, there is also a need to rigorously enforce anti-discrimination measures for all racial and ethnic minority groups toward social cohesion.
It must also be appreciated that the American government have provided ample spaces and mechanism for immigrant people to openly discuss their problems and issues through numerous established institutes and organizations where they can freely associate. These spaces encourage appreciation on diversity and allow migrants to take part in civic engagement, sharing of experiences, fostering institutional change and thus, give positive impact through community participation.
Through this, the American nation will be able to harness the power of racial diversity using dialogues and ably take pride of multi-racial democracy and genuine freedom by eliminating racial divides.
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