Approach in Treatment of People of Different Races - Research Paper Example

Approach in Treatment of People of Different Races I reside in Maryland Cascade and perform work as a CNA in a medical facility. My job allows me to interact with a variety of people. Our community consists of a total population of 1,141 people with the majority being Caucasian. According to The United States Census (2000), 99.3% of the community is classified as being white. The remaining .007% of individuals residing in our area racial makeup is composed of .02% African American, .04% American Indian/Alaska Native and .001% Filipino, Vietnamese, and Pacific Islanders. In many ways our community lacks both racial and cultural diversity. Although our community strives to provide diversity for all individuals in many ways Cascade Maryland lacks opportunities for ethnically diverse individuals. At my profession I often assisting in providing treatment to individuals composed of different races. Like many other individuals in our community I was born in America. My ancestors immigrated to America from Germany in 1785. According to Washington County Maryland (n.d.), our town was “a city founded by German immigrants in 1762” (pp. 2). Our community does not have a large foreign born population. Encountering individuals with accents is a rarity. From 1995-2000 the foreign born population was 0 (City-Data, n.d.). Community work manuals and texts are relevant to me as an individual. I believe these readings are meant to address people like me. I would imagine the minorities living in this community may struggle with understanding these work manuals; as they are not designed for them based upon their cultural make-up. Approximately 95% of individuals living in this community speak only English and no other languages at home (City Data, n.d.). The remaining five percent that utilize different langue at home are compiled by languages such as Spanish (.3%), European (1.9%), or Asian (2.8%). Perhaps the lack of cultural diversity can be attributed partially to the history of our state. Our state is home to many historical battle sites and monuments. Maryland being one of the thirteen original colonies formed was effected by west bound expansion during the 1800’s leading many immigrants to settle in other states. Due to the geographical location of our state finding immigrants is not a common occurrence. In the past I have encountered skeptism from minorities I have treated in my profession. I remember during the O.J. Simpson murder trial talking to an African American woman about the trial. With the evidence present by the media we both agreed that we felt that he was guilty of the crime. Some time passed before the verdict in the trial was read and I thought very little about the conservation as I did not see the woman for treatment regularly. After the verdict was read the woman called my human resources department claiming that I was a racist. I do not believe my actions constituted racism as I was merely stating an opinion in the discussion we were having. The human resources department for the facility I work for did not believe this constituted racism either. However, I have learned not to discuss trials, politics, or other controversial views and/or opinions with the clients I treat out of fear for the potential negative ramifications that could occur for stating my opinion; even when the client initially agrees with my opinion. Our community is composed equally of half women and half men. My age is slightly older than the rest of the community. Our community consists of people mainly child bearing age. My children are grown and on their own. I am the proud grandparent of seven grandchildren and a prouder great grandmother to two young children. . According to The United States Census (2000), 18.6% of the population is over the age of 55. Unlike few others in my community I am a widow. My husband died suddenly in 2007. Of the people in my community the widows 9% are widowed. Of this 9% the majority (7%) are women. I believe that the community is well represented politically for people like me. Our leadership provides us with communication for working class people. My pursuit to continue my education makes me someone of a minority from an education standpoint. Unfortunately the majority of our community only has a high school diploma. According to the United States Census (2000), 25% of individuals residing in this community do not have a high school diploma. 35% of individuals have a high school diploma yet only 6% of people have an associate’s degree. I often find that people do not understand my desire to continue my education. Many individuals in this community graduate high school and begin careers. The most common career choices are construction workers and office jobs. However, I do not believe that the local political representation is well suited for minorities. All of the individuals on the county’s board of commissions are of European decent. After reviewing the goals of the community board for the year of 2009-2010 I have found that no information or goals have anything to do with minorities or diversifying the community. The goals of the community board focus primarily on the sociological beautification process. The only goal that maybe conceived as remotely reliant to the issue of racial diversity is to “develop an electronic marketplace concept for bidding on use of available grants for initiatives such as teen pregnancy programs” (Washington County, n.d., p. 2). No preventative programs for at risk children from either a racially diverse background or Caucasian background currently exist. However, my findings in the goals of the community contradict the mission statement. According to Washington County Government (2008). Supporting and strengthening individual and community self-reliance and responsibility; promoting education, economic opportunities, public health, safety and welfare: protecting the environment and cultural resources we share; and planning for future urbanization and a culturally diverse population (pp. 2). Although our community’s leaders strive provide communication and goals for working class citizens these individuals are not typical of our communities educational backgrounds. All of the community leaders hold at least a bachelors degree but many hold a masters in various fields. The main representative for our community is John Franklin Barr. In his biography listed he lists one of his hobbies as “helping others no matter what the project” (Washington County Maryland, n.d., pp. 2). Based upon the other information provided from the Washington County website, this goal seems to contradict goals and other political agenda statements. In the upcoming elections the main goal appears to focus on job creation. Like many other places our town was hit hard by the economic recession. Political leaders running for government offices have not focused on diversifying our community for individuals of non-European backgrounds. In the 2004, presidential election between George W. Bush and John Kerry 63.8% of the state of Maryland voted for George W. Bush. These figures are not accurately reflected Cascade Maryland based upon social class. In the town of Cascade Maryland 26.9% of individuals made $15000-24,999 thousand per year. Sociologists argue that republicans are rarely considered to be a part of the working class. Our community would be considered a working class community making Cascade Maryland a political minority. In addition sociologists have demonstrated that many individuals of different cultural values and ethnicities tend to vote politically democratic. These findings are not common with the data provide in Cascade Maryland. I believe that the local media addresses all people of our community. Although we are not a diverse community, I do not believe we segregate. In my professional I know that we treat all people as equals. Local media attempts to address all issues in the community people have. However, many important issues are deemed important by the consequences or number of people they affect. In terms of minorities they are often underrepresented in both the local government and media. These factors may cause racial minorities living in our community may find difficulty in identifying with the local media culturally and ethnically. I have resided in Cascade Maryland for many years. I work in the medical profession which allows me to interact with various people. The total population of our town is 1,141 people. The majority of the individuals residing in our town are white. Through this reflection of relevant data, policies and local issues I have come to believe that our town is not racially diversified. Races from non-Caucasian backgrounds are underrepresented in many facets of our community. Although our towns mission statement focuses on diversifying the community for people of different races little action or attention has been given to these issues. From a female Caucasian perspective I believe we do not segregate against minorities. However, I cannot imagine the impact of the underrepresentation in this town has on racial and cultural minorities. REFERENCES  The United States Census. (2000). Profile of General Demographic Characteristics 2000. Retrieved from http://censtats.census.gov/data/MD/1602438437.pdf City Data (n.d.). 21719 Zip Code Detailed Profiled. Retrieved from http://www.city -data.com/zips/21719.html Washington County Maryland (n.d.) Terms Goals Master Plan., Retrieved from http://www.washco-md.net/washco_2/pdf_files/09goals.pdf Washington County Maryland (2008) Washington County Government., Retrieved from http://www.washco-md.net/vision.shtm Washington County Maryland., (n.d.). Welcome to Washington County, Maryland. Retrieved from http://www.washco-md.net/washco.shtm Read More