Culture and Ethnic Identity

Culture and Ethnic Identity

The United States of America is referred to as the land where dreams come true. The statement of America is a nation where anything is possible; it is not a fact for every individual who lives in the US. The opportunities that are there in the country are mostly preserved or given to the natives and no immigrants. In the history of America, the issue of the authority and the government being unfair to the immigrants in the country due to racial segregation has been evident. The fact that most immigrants are harassed and profiled by the government creates a rift between the natives and the immigrants. Latinos are one of the biggest groups of immigrants in America, but to most of them, it is not what they expected it to be, and they do not share in the saying of it being the heartland of a nation.

As of the 2000 United States census, the Latinos, also known as the Hispanics comprise approximately 12.5% of the total population in America. Latinos are widely spread in American, and the Hispanics group is a unity made up of Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Mexicans who are found in various parts of Florida, California, the southwest, and northeastern part of America. The numbers made them one of the biggest groups of nonnatives or immigrants in America, suppressing the African American group. The heartland or a nation is a place where all human beings are given the same opportunities and are equal in the eyes of the authorities and the law.

Each of these groups that make up the Latinos unity brings different types of unique, vibrant, and historical stories. Most of the Latinos enter the US as refugees of political wars or political exile. Others come into the US as contracted laborers or free Labour givers while others just come as individuals who want to find a better life for themselves and their families. The Latinos population is America has infused the culture of America with their Spanish language and traditions or customs, which has led to multiculturalism in America.

The reason why the Latinos are against the assumption of the US being a heartland or a nation is because of the profiling and harassment that they experience in their daily lives. History has it that the Latinos or Hispanics played a part in the building of America as we know it today. Latinos offered most of the Labour in the development and construction of American, and they still do up to date. The fact that they had a hand in developing America, they feel like they should have a place in the country and be given equal rights as the natives. The issue of harassment and racial profiling has contributed to the loss of many lives and others being jailed or deported back to the countries they ran from in search of a better life and safety.

The Latinos are usually profiled and harassed due to their connection in drug dealing and violence or criminal gang activities. The generalization of all Latinos as being in a gang or peddling drugs is usually an unfair perspective of the law to them. The reason behind this is not all Latinos are criminals, but due to the racism and negative attitude of them, then they find themselves in a lot of trouble with the law. The considerable percentage of prisoners in American jails is made up of Latinos. Some are guilty of their crimes, but others are not, and they are falsely accused and imprisoned due to their cultural connection.

The profiling has also robbed of the chances of a balanced social life in America for Latinos. Due to the assumption of them being criminals, it has created a rift between them and the other communities. The division has resulted in many people avoiding interactions with the Latinos, which affect their social life. In school, most of the Latino children do not have friends from other communities as most of the American parents warn or forbid their children from hanging out or interacting with the Latinos in fear of them falling into crime.

In the neighborhoods where they live in if any criminal activity happens, they are usually the first suspects, which creates a bitter relationship between them and their neighbors. In instances where emergency service is required in an area dominated by Latinos, they do not respond or respond late due to the fear of their lives and their possessions. Police harassment is evident in Latinos as they are treated harshly and are not allowed to defend themselves. Police brutality on Latinos does not consider where you come from or your age; as long as you are Latino, you are treated the same from teenagers to older people, mostly men.

The view of Latinos in America has contributed to the high rates of unemployment in this community. Due to the profiling of Latinos and the negative picture of the Hispanics by the American people has led to many employers fearing them, and this results in not giving them jobs. Most employers fear that if a Latino is offered a job, he might steal from them or influence other workers to start using drugs or getting into crime, which might lead to the breakdown of the business. No matter the level of education one has as long as you belong to the Latino group, then you are profiled as being a criminal.

Due to the high unemployment rate, the Latinos usually attend public schools or not participate at all due to the issue of not having enough money to pay the school fees and other charges in school. The fact that Latinos do not attend a school or even if they attend school, they are not given quality education, and opportunities as the wealthy natives who go to elite private schools affect them.  Lacking competent academic skills and knowledge, it contributes to not having equal opportunities in the job world. Unemployment and lack of opportunities are the cause of them indulging in criminal activities so that they can afford to cater to their basic needs.