Select a minority group on which to focus your discussion. Your discussion in this paper will need to use the same selected group throughout. If you have any questions about your group selection, please be in touch with the instructor.
Your paper is to give a discussion and critical analysis of this group’s current, and historical, experiences as a minority group in the United States. I want you to develop your critical understanding of what it’s like to be a member of this group and membership in this group may impact someone and their life experiences and life changes. You should include the following (headings are required):
History of the group: Discuss the push/pull factors that brought this group to the US. For all groups, discuss this group’s history and experiences in the US. (NB: This is only part of your paper, please resist the temptation to provide pages and pages of history for this group. Provide a concise and focused discussion of the most important points).
Structural/institutional racism: Provide at least two examples of structural racism that impact this group. How is their access to quality education, safe neighborhoods, affordable grocery stores, transportation, etc. different from the dominant group?
Intergroup Relations: Discuss how this group has related to the dominant group. Use our course concepts, such as assimilation, amalgamation, etc. What factors have contribute to this? What are the benefits and consequences to the group, and society as a whole, of the way this group and the dominate group relate?
Cultural Institutions: Discuss how this group is perceived by the dominant group, and by other minority groups. In what ways do the cultural institutions (i.e., media, entertainment, art, education/textbooks, everyday language, religion, law) influence how this group is perceived by the wider society? How does this influence how this group sees themselves?
Life Chances: Discuss how this group if faring, in comparison to the dominant group. You may include average earnings, percentage to complete certain levels of education, representation in various employment sectors, likelihood of incarceration/drug abuse/poverty, access to education/health care/services. How do you think what you’ve discussed in sections a-d have affected this groups’ life chances?
Bridging the Gap: What needs to happen for this group to be treated more equitably? Your discussion should focus on specific things that can happen on the macro level (i.e., policy, legislative, systemic responses) and the meso level (i.e., programmatic, service responses). Micro level (i.e., individual) responses are explored in other assignments.
Full Answer Section
Structural/Institutional Racism:
Native Americans face many forms of structural and institutional racism in the United States. For example:
- Education: Native American students are less likely to graduate from high school and college than students from other racial and ethnic groups. This is due to a number of factors, including poverty, lack of access to quality schools, and cultural differences.
- Housing: Native Americans are more likely to live in poverty and in substandard housing than other racial and ethnic groups. They are also more likely to live in rural areas, which can make it difficult to access jobs, education, and healthcare.
- Healthcare: Native Americans have lower life expectancy and higher rates of chronic diseases than other racial and ethnic groups. They also have less access to quality healthcare.
Intergroup Relations:
Native Americans have a complex relationship with the dominant group in the United States. In the past, they were often forced to assimilate into white culture. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement of Native Americans who are reclaiming their culture and identity.
Some of the factors that have contributed to the intergroup relations between Native Americans and the dominant group include:
- History of colonialism and oppression: Native Americans have been colonized and oppressed by the dominant group for centuries. This has led to a deep mistrust between the two groups.
- Cultural differences: Native Americans have a different culture than the dominant group. This can sometimes lead to misunderstanding and衝突.
- Lack of representation: Native Americans are underrepresented in government, the media, and other institutions. This can make it difficult for them to have their voices heard.
The intergroup relations between Native Americans and the dominant group have a number of consequences for both groups. For Native Americans, it can lead to discrimination, poverty, and health problems. For the dominant group, it can lead to a lack of understanding and appreciation of Native American culture.
Cultural Institutions:
Native Americans are often stereotyped and misrepresented in the media, entertainment, and art. These stereotypes can have a negative impact on how Native Americans are perceived by the wider society and how they see themselves.
For example, Native Americans are often portrayed as savages, warriors, or drunks. These stereotypes can lead to discrimination and violence against Native Americans.
Life Chances:
Native Americans fare worse than the dominant group on a number of life chances indicators, including:
- Education: Native Americans are less likely to graduate from high school and college than students from other racial and ethnic groups.
- Employment: Native Americans are more likely to be unemployed than members of the dominant group.
- Income: Native Americans have lower median incomes than members of the dominant group.
- Poverty: Native Americans are more likely to live in poverty than members of the dominant group.
- Life expectancy: Native Americans have a lower life expectancy than members of the dominant group.
The factors discussed in the previous sections have a significant impact on the life chances of Native Americans. For example, discrimination in education and employment can make it difficult for Native Americans to get ahead. Poverty can make it difficult for Native Americans to access quality healthcare and housing.
Bridging the Gap:
There are a number of things that can be done to bridge the gap between Native Americans and the dominant group. These include:
Macro level:
- Policies to address structural and institutional racism: This includes policies to improve access to education, housing, and healthcare for Native Americans.
- Representation in government and other institutions: Native Americans need to be represented in government and other institutions so that their voices can be heard.
Meso level:
- Programs and services to support Native Americans: This includes programs to help Native American students succeed in school, to help Native Americans find employment, and to help Native Americans access quality
Sample Answer
Minority Group: Native Americans
History of the Group:
Native Americans are the original inhabitants of North America. They have a rich and diverse culture that dates back thousands of years. However, their history in the United States has been marked by oppression and violence.
The push/pull factors that brought Native Americans to the United States are complex and vary depending on the tribe. However, some common factors include:
- Push: Disease, warfare, and displacement from their traditional lands by European settlers.
- Pull: Access to resources such as food and medicine, as well as the promise of a better life.
Native Americans have faced many challenges throughout their history in the United States. They have been forced from their lands, their cultures have been suppressed, and many have been killed. However, they have also shown great resilience and have survived and thrived despite these challenges.