Race as a Social Construction - Essay Example

In many instances, some groups acquire privileges above others at the root of their ethnic or racial differences, actual or perceived (Dikkster 233). For instance, the membership enrollment in tribal governments based upon blood quantum within Native America is a good illustration of how race is used as a social construction. If a person has an incorrect blood quantum, he or she may be refused program services that they are legitimately entitled to. Having the right blood degree elevates pride in being Native American.

The hierarchy construction or meaning concerning ethnic or racial differences can occur for numerous reasons, although the main stimulator is often political, economic, or social power. Competition for reserves or the ambition for better privilege often triggers the social construction of ethnic or racial hierarchies (Dikkster 234). These ranked classifications are afterward utilized to institute, develop, or uphold the hegemony or dominance of a faction over others. Those at the subordinate end of prospect, noting their shortfalls to racial classifications, may acquire a heightened perception of group identity to confront the social constructions of the privileged (Dikkster 235).

Writing Assignment 5

Yes, I was aware of the Hernandez v. Texas story and I first learned about it from a history class as well later in the series itself when it was released in 2009 (A-class Apart….). The story is about a Latino employee (Hernandez) who was engaged in a heated argument with his boss that left the Boss dead. Though Hernandez should have been provided equal protection under the 14th amendment,   he was later found responsible for his The reason why I think the Hernandez v. Texas story is not part of American Civil rights Discourse is, though an exceptionally Latino civil-rights court case (the only one to reach high-court as well as to have won a favorable judgment for Mexican-Americans), the case was stained by murder. Justice had to be served since Hernandez murdered his boss following a heated disagreement in a grotty-cantina within Edna, Texas and he was found responsible for manslaughter (A class Apart….).

In comparing the Hernandez v. Texas story with the political-discourse surrounding undocumented workforces, the Hernandez v. Texas verdict was valid since Hernandez was actually guilty of slaughter(A class Apart….). On the other hand, programs emanating from the political discourse that permit local law enactment to share arrestees’ fingerprints with the ICE (Immigration Customs and Enforcement) agency to inspect their status as well as criminal account for conceivable deportation have seen persons with minor offenses being deported, instead of being directed to extremely dangerous as well as violent offenders (Lee, par 6). The offenders even with minor offenses are deported because they are Mexican and not because their offenses are dangerous. This is racial injustice on the unfortunate (Lee, par 7).

The impact of such a heavy enforcement approach on Mexican Americans is that it implants a culture of dread in Mexican Americans, undocumented workers, as well as other immigrant communities (Lee, par 8). Additionally, such policies have not been in touch with the actuality of immigration trends as well as the injustices erode the trust between law enforcement and the Mexican Americans (Lee, par 9). This fear and mistrust of the law forces can create tension as well as result in more racial subjugations and constructions. When people get deported, it results in family breakups as well as a family might lose its core breadwinner. Such afflictions can render the Mexican Americans have no faith in the government of America (Lee, par 10).

America has fought so hard to reshape democracy that encompasses all Americans only to devise policies that discriminate on a racial basis (Dikkster 235). The enactment of such programs as ‘secure communities’ reveals how much the hard-fought struggles in the name of civil movements have been forgotten as well as how America has forgotten the far it has come. Mexican Americans feel deprived of their rights through such programs that discriminate against them against their racial hierarchies. Deportation of persons with no offenses or just minor offenses shows how the federal and local are unresponsive and insensitive (Dikkster 233).