Some identity groups have had to deal with hardships and persecution and contend with distrust and disapproval. Others have gained quick success in climbing the economic and political ladder. All have had to make significant adjustments to secure access to health care, work, housing, and political rights, which means coming to terms with dominant cultural practices and expectations within the community.
Understanding this journey sheds light on the issues and vulnerabilities faced by historically marginalized identity groups and provides greater understanding of the complexity of the United States.
Choose one of the following identity groups from the list below. You will analyze the historical background and treatment of that identity group within the United States and its current status with regard to social engagement and economic security.
Native Americans
African Americans
Hispanic Americans
Asian Americans
Sample Solution
Native Americans have faced a long history of discrimination and oppression in the United States. European settlers forcibly removed Native Americans from their ancestral lands, and Native American tribes were forced to sign treaties that ceded large portions of their land in exchange for promises that were often never kept. This led to a long period of land dispossession, poverty, and displacement that continues today.
In the subsequent decades, Native Americans experienced oppressive policies such as the Indian Removal Act which uprooted entire communities; residential schools that sought to strip away native cultures; discriminatory laws regarding voting rights; restricted access to health care services; and unequal access to education. In spite of these obstacles, many Native American nations have maintained their sovereignty by defending themselves legally against unjust actions taken by the US government.