Race and the Community - Essay Example

 Race and the Community Imagine waking up at six in the morning. You walk into your living room, pour yourself a cup of coffee and sit at the table. You know that you have a few minutes to go before your job expects you there. So, you quickly put together some breakfast. While the breakfast is on the stove you make a reasonable decision to take a quick shower. Once you are out of the shower, you pick up your breakfast to go. After you lock the doors to your cozy home, you use your big silver key to open your car door. You pull out of your driveway nice and slow and head down the hill into your little village community. As you gradually approach the center of your little town you see rocks, and sticks in the hands of everyone, from the young 3 year olds to the senior citizens. This is a common routine you see every day. You know you have to try to reach your work without getting hurt. The center is approaching and you make sure your doors are locked and your windows are rolled up. Everyone is staring at you. You are the odd ball out. You are the one that no one wants to be around. You are the one that no one loves, wants, or needs. You are Haitian, a modern day leper in the country where Haitians are not welcomed, liked, or accepted. You find it strange because your color is only 1 shade darker than that of the Dominicans. Why so much hatred? Interracial communities are very common all over the world. But is it accepted by individuals? Are people loved in a community that may not like them? My friend told me the story above and how she dealt with the racism in her country. She lives in a country where Haitians are not considered people. She endures hatred and pain each and every day of her life. For some reason, she remains in her community; because though there is hatred and ugliness, there are also reasons she chooses to stay in the community. Her amazing endurance and her love for her children keeps her in the community in which she is hated. All three of her children are native to that country. I live in Brownstown Michigan, “Where the future looks brighter.” It was founded in May, 1827. In my town, the population is approximately 23,989 people. The census was taken back in 2000 and I am not sure what the population is today. I am about 82 miles away from Lansing Michigan. Brownstown was established 10 years before Michigan was admitted to the Union. People believe that Brownstown was named after an 8 year old boy who was kidnapped by Indians back in 1764. It is said that he was raised by the Indians and ended up marrying an Indian woman. I feel like a very lucky person. I feel fortunate. I feel blessed because in this community, I do not have to worry about being discriminated against because of my color, financial status or academic level. I am a white person living in a non-ghetto situation. If I were living in the ghetto I would have to worry about gangs, and krypts, but I am fortunate because I was smiled upon! My community is the fastest growing community in the area. It is a very calm area, and known for being a great place to raise a family. The Economy of Brownstown is based on its service industries. People in my community look like me because there are a high percent of white people here. The leaders in my community are extremely fair. They want positive outcomes and want to promote peace. If there is a dispute, they will peacefully review the situation and try to come up with a solution that benefits both parties involved. When I go to work, diversity is encouraged in our text and with who we associate even though there are 89.02 percent white people. There are only 3. 82 percent blacks, .53 percent Native American, .86 percent from other races, and 3. 58 percent of the population are Hispanic or Latinos. Our community is linked and called one of the “Downriver” communities. We are considered a Podunk town! There is not much representation of other races mainly because of the breakdown of the communities demographics. So, most of the time, when the media advertises, they fit the needs of the majority of the people. It is not as if they are purposely trying to exclude the other races, but as most communities do, they focus more on the more prevalent population at hand. My community loves and welcomes all races, but only one race is dominant, and there for, like me. I’ve always wanted to change the demographic, statistical number. I don’t really like that my race dominates. I would encourage my community to reach out to different races and cultures so as to make the community more diverse, and more embracing. Like my friend from the Dominican Republic, my race takes over, the only difference is, people are civil to me, and not to her. I feel that I am pretty naïve when it comes to dealing with issues of race. When one does not grow up on a community where racesism prevails, one is, in a way, sheltered and then find it hard to relate to others. I believe awareness of this issue is extremely important. Creating awareness through local activities organized by the township hall, or through schools is extremely important. The schools that we have in my community are considered high in the academic department, but the tests are geared toward the majority of the population. So, how can teachers and administrators have the high expectation of someone from a different race or background, someone who has learned in an environment different from my own, and someone who may or may not speak the English language, be able to succeed without the proper tools and guidance? I think it is important that we find the proper tools to better assist those with difficulty and therefore create a more embracing community. As a child, I took Social Studies class and learned a lot about different cultures and races. I loved the class because it inspired me to learn more about people, what they like to do and what passions they held. I also learned some unfortunate things about my country as we approached the U.S. and compared it to Canada in our chapters 9 and 10. I learned that the U.S. has a way of conforming people. They want anyone new who comes into the country to be just like them. It’s as if they want them to completely forget about their culture and race and “start over” in this “land of opportunity.” The “melting pot” was coined for the United States because they wanted everyone to blend. Being one, hand in hand, was something they promoted. But can’t people be one, hand in hand, and still enjoy their culture and share their diversity? The United States has a high diversity level, but when you sit down with someone of a different race or color, and they have been in the country for quite some time, you will realize that they have picked up the habits, colloquialism, and the attitude of the American People. They being to “think American”. When reading about Canada, I realized that Canadians celebrate diversity. They want their country to be unique. They want the people who immigrate to the Canadian shores to embrace their own culture and race. They want the unique quality that everyone has to be shared among all people. “Salad Bowl” is the term coined for this amazing country we call our neighbors. Everyone is welcome in a Salad Bowl, and you call it what it is. You can’t call a tomato a cucumber because that is not what it is. Everyone seems to be unique and individualistic. Everyone has a voice in how they want to live and their culture is encouraged. It is important to live in a community and a country where diversity is celebrated. Every state in the United States is slightly different. My friend from the Dominican Republic lived in Michigan for several years and was amazed at how white the state was. She knew there was diversity but she also knew that she would have to go and look for it. Maybe even look for it in the ghetto or inner city. I don’t believe it is right to have to seek out diversity. Diversity should be provided for everyone in every situation; workplace, play, school, universities, and in the hearts of every human being. Now, imagine waking up at 6 in the morning, getting a bite to eat, hopping in the shower, getting dressed, checking your watch because you fear that you will be late to work, stepping into your car, driving down the road with your eyes wide open as people hold flowers and hearts in their hand as a ways of saying “thanks” for being you. You stop your car and roll down the window. Someone hands you a flower. You take it from them, smile from ear to ear, roll your window back up and continue to drive to work. You know that your day will be good now because discrimination does not permeate your area or community. This is the dream my friend has; to one day be able to drive out of her community with grace, love and the peace of the day. Not every community allows for peace in the hearts and souls of individuals. Be thankful if yours does. Have hope for the future if yours does not. The world is changing, we are in the 21st century and people are tired of racism and discrimination. People are tired having to explain to their children why certain people behave a certain way. But have Faith, one day each child will see a day that will be brighter than the one before. Know that in order to create peace, we must all work together, lifting one voice, and combining several hearts. And know, that just because one area is peaceful, other areas are suffering and help is on the way! Work Cited APA style 1. Brownstown Charter Township, Michigan. (2010, March 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 13:12, April 11, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brownstown_Charter_Township,_Michigan&oldid=349744694 2. World Studies: Western Hemisphere (2010, March 14). In Phschool, Chapter 9 and 10. http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.gotoWebCode&wcprefix=lhe&wcsuffix=1004, and http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.gotoWebCode&wcprefix=lhe&wcsuffix=1005 Copyright ©2010 Pearson Education 3. Key To the City, USA city information for nearly every city and town in the U.S. Retrieved 9:26, April 11, 2010 from U.S.A cities online website: http://www.usacitiesonline.com/micountybrownstown.htm 4. Mae Claire, Skype/Personal Interview. 6 April 2010 5. Racism. Retrieved 9:57, 11, April 2010 from http://www.lemel.co.il/menu/glo_html/raci.html Read More