Race, Gender, and Ethnic Relations in the United States

There are approximately 7 billion people in this world. Each person has a unique combination of traits such as skin tone, face shape, body type, eye color, hair color, and other characteristics. These traits vary due to genetics, environmental factors, and much more. An individual 's race is defined by their physical characteristics and how they differ among others. Race is not defined by the way an individual behaves or portrays themselfes; it is based strictly off of their physical traits. Since America was founded, race has played a significant role in the relations of the citizens in this country. For decades, different races have been stereotyped and been prejudice towards one another, without realizing how invalid their judgements are. Specifically, African Americans have been discriminated by caucasians in America since it’s founding. It began by the enslaving of African Americans, and today, the discrimination and inequality is more hidden in society. Although America has made significant progress in overcoming racial inequality in the country, many African Americans are still being subject to hardships that Caucasian Americans do not face, especially in regards to the justice system.

While driving down the road, I see a sign, “Black Lives Matter”, and I ponder on the question to myself, “what equality is there in humanity”. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”( Congress, 1776). I ask myself, at the time the Declaration of Independence was being written, did they forget to disclose the statement,” except for Black people.” The vast majority of social media sources, in 2016 have displayed the slogan, “Black Lives Matter”. I asked myself, have Black lives ever mattered in the United States of America, and what can citizens do to provide inclusion of membership for everyone. The history of the United States has shown racial disparities for over 200 years, and while the emancipation of slaves and the Civil Rights movement has shown some progression towards unity; the divide is apparent in everyday life.

Race affects personal aspects of the human race through visual, emotional and daily rituals in a judgmental, socioeconomic status quo and discrimination. Race has been a big problem in the United States for numerous years. Even though things have improved throughout the years, racial issues still exist in today 's society. Many people in todays society still hold various stereotypes that were used back in time. They use these stereotypes to define people. Society is quick to categorize individuals, for example, if they see a “minority” they already have certain beliefs and are easy to judge, but if they see a “white” individual these negative beliefs do not always exist. Many of these beliefs have been embedded in our society that it has been carried on throughout the years. Societies tend to categorize people based on their skin color,eye color, hair texture ,education and socioeconomic status. Our society believes racism is gone and there is equal opportunity. However, in reality, people find ways to minimize being racist, changing it to a more sympathetic approach rather than being upfront and cruel.

Health is one of the top concerns in the US at this time. With the still new adaption of Obamacare, it seems like it’s a big focus on providing everyone with healthcare. We now get penalized for not having it, so now it plays more importance in our lives. Race and social status play a huge part of the longevity of life. Those who are in upper class have the ability to pay for the best healthcare. They are able to get treatments that others may not be able to afford. Lower class people may have to suffer and not receive certain treatments if their insurance does not cover the cost. Studies have often shown that people with college education smoke less than those who don’t attend and eat and exercise more. I think there is also the notation that if you are wealthier and the ability to spend your wealth, you will take care of yourself more in order to enjoy your life more. There may be things you want to do and you know to do them you have to live a healthy lifestyle.

After centuries of fighting, protesting, and labor, the fight for equality seemed to reach a conclusion. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 brought an end to segregation and promoted full equal opportunities for not only African Americans but other ethnicities as well. America elected Barack Obama as its president, allowed certain months to represent cultural awareness, and immigration numbers augmented. However, regardless of the fact that the country becomes increasingly diverse by the day and heavy, racial social boundaries no longer exist, racism, prejudice, and stereotypes still exist. “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line” (McQuade 391) says it the best; racial and ethnicity still remain underlying causes

However, race has drastically changed over the years. Race defines the way a person may be treated, the undefined parallel of equality between the same race and its gender and a different race with the same gender, and class placement. Simply meaning, if that race is worthy enough to be considered a doctor or lawyer. America’s reality compared to social media reality are two different identities. Represented socially are people coming together to defend a race, pursue the DREAMERS Act; for immigrants that are seeking a better economical and education lifestyle for their children and themselves, and protesting racism. America is trying to remove specific races from certain locations, illustrating a free country and “accepting all foreigners” and placing specific races in a specific work field because they are known to be naturally trained in. There are various questions about racial movements being less than before and confusions if, we are still living in the civil rights movement or have things been better or worse. Historically proven, an illustration of a drastic change, but emotional feel as producing more

During the time I observed Mass there was a dominate race in attendance—mostly Caucasian (around 200) with several Hispanics (around 50) and very few African Americans (only three); however, there was not a dominate sex or age of the attendees. There seemed to be an equal amount of males and females, and a vast degree of age—newborns to very elderly among the participants. The clothing of the participants was very formal and respectful. Most women either wore long dresses or skirt with leggings or tights underneath, some women wore pants; however, there was only a few women in pants; all women wore shirts that did not show very much (if any) cleavage—some women (around ten) wore black, white, gray, or brown veils over their heads—at first I believed that the veils were a sign that the women wearing them were preparing to become nuns; however, several small children were wearing the veils over their heads, and according to Lauren, the veils are symbolic—they show respect to the Saints and God by allowing women to observe submissiveness and obedience. There seems to be no correlation between the veils color and a symbolic meaning behind the veil color. Men wore suits or khakis and a button up shirt. Women and men were all aware that they were in a church and must be modest—not shorts or t-shirts or cocktail dresses were seen of the participants—if someone was to show up to Mass in this attire it would be deemed inappropriate. Even the priest and altar servers and choir member

Have we really came far in the fight for racial and gender equality in America? We have made constant strides towards equality, but there is still a substantial amount of work to be done. The road ahead will be long and difficult, but for our society to become better we must learn how to be equal. According to Oxforddictionaries.com to be equal is “(of people) having the same status, rights, or opportunities”. The controversy within the topic of race and gender causes hatred towards individuals, nevertheless open dialogue and understanding will lead us to a better future.

Race refers to the physical form of some common genetic characteristics of the crowd. This is born, cannot be chosen. While ethnicity refers to the people with the same experience, cultural background or language. The United States as a migrant country, immigration culture, complex skin color, ethnic racial relations are complex. The race of society has been going on for more than half a century. Racism is a self centered attitude, and racial differences determine the history of human society and cultural development. Racial discrimination has always been a serious social problem. Racial discrimination is further convinced that the disaggregated differences are linked to hierarchical evaluations, and that various human races determine their culture or personal achievement, implying that certain races are better than others. Racism to the German Nazi regime and the United States as the representation of the past, the German Nazi regime

Racial and ethnic diversity within the United States has grown rapidly over the last several years and is expected to continue to grow. According to Pardasani & Bandyopadhyay (2014), "racial/ethnic minorities, now roughly one-third of the U.S. population, are expected to become the majority in 2042, with the nation projected to be 54 percent non Caucasian" (p. 90). Nurses are caring for patients who come from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds in health care settings across the United States. Therefore, it is the nurse 's responsibility to provide culturally competent care to patients, in turn providing high quality care. According to deChesnay and Anderson (2016), cultural competence is a way of providing care that takes into account cultural differences between the nurse and the patient, while meeting the health needs of the patient" (p. 33). It 's an ongoing process for nurses, which involves accepting and respecting cultural differences and not letting your own personal views and beliefs influence how you care for your patients. There are many ways to provide culturally competent care to patients, especially those from vulnerable populations. According to Douglas et al. (2014), guidelines for providing culturally competent nursing care include having knowledge of cultures, obtaining education and training in culturally competent care, performing critical self-reflection, providing cross cultural communication, advocating for patients

Kassie, I loved how you stated, "Color, race, and ethnicity does not define an individual, their personality is what defines them." Throughout today's society, many individuals do not realize that we all are the same within, and love should not be defined by an individuals race, ethnicity, sex, or religion. Also, throughout history, many individuals have fought for equality, but still faces racism everyday. So, therefore, Jane had an amazing exercise that switched racism to people with "blue eyes" instead of African Americans.

Since 1619 in Jamestown Virginia in America the land of the “free” African Americans imported from Africa began to experience racial oppression. This continues to happen all over America and in other parts of the world although it is crazy to think that things like this have reached the education systems, the annual income, and rights. I believe that a law fighting against racial inequality should be created.

Racial inequality has indeed become less common than in the past, but it is still very much present in our current everyday society. It may be true that the overt practices such as slavery, beatings, or blatant segregation are rare, but our American culture is progressing towards more covert racism, discrimination and segregation. This form is just as painful to subordinate groups, although increasingly discrete. There are many reasons to which we can attribute inequality. The article “Worsening Wealth Inequality by Race,” written by Taylor Luhby, specifically exemplifies the attribution theory and cultural and structural explanations. These explanations are very common and often times

a pen because it was safer than a gun. This was a valuable lesson I've

Great work Elizabeth! Our own president has made it very difficult for people of different race, religion and gender in this country. Its really a very disturbing situation to witness. I have a nine year old daughter and I have always taught her, that we are all the same. I was born in the Bronx, but both my parents came from Puerto Rico and my husband is African American. I always explained to her that only the exterior might be different, inside we are all the same. We shouldn't treat people different because we never know what they are capable of