Why do Latinos and Blacks face Fear, when Whites do too?

With the immigration population rising in astonishing numbers, identifying race becomes a hot topic with so many people coming from different parts of the world. The way people are seen, identified, and judged are by the color of their skin or by their English accent. Once identified as a “foreigner” or simply non “white”, people are discriminated against and not given equal rights. Latinos, specifically the darker skin toned ones get it the hardest. They are discriminated against by the white people in this white culture, and even by their own kind as “pretos”,” indios” or “morenos”.

            In Wendy D. Roth’s article “Creating a “Latino” Race” she interviewed Puerto Ricans and Dominicans from New York City to see how they self identify each other.  The respondents all identified primarily as “Latino”, “Dominican” or “Puerto Rican”. What was interesting was that they all identified themselves as not being “white”, something that was a trend from the readings. In Dropping the Hyphen article some Mexicans identified themselves as being “non white” because of discrimination. The more discrimination that individual received, the more awareness of their non-white status was making them feel stronger about identifying themselves as Mexicans or Latino. They basically alienated from “whites” in their communities because they felt as they didn’t belong.  Compared to Marrow’s article on Brazilians, most Brazilians did not even want to be identified as Hispanic/Latino, but rather as “white” for social rewards. Wendy’s respondents had a familiar approach to these “social rewards”. One respondent was a light skin Latina, but when she was applying for jobs it benefited her to be identified as a Puerto Rican English speaker. In her article she talks about how Latinos saw advantages to being bilingual and bicultural in a country with a growing Latino community.

  Back to Marrow’s article, Brazilians would rather be identified as “white” however, if their skin tone was dark then they would rather be identified as “black” than Hispanic/Latino. It is clear that Marrows, Wendy’s and just about every other article on race, it is talked about being “white” is the most privileged racial category. They all acknowledge that the lighter skin tone you are, the more advantages you gain in society, especially gaining approval among white people. But this is not an easy task because in order for Latinos to fully become white, they must lose what makes their “Latino” identity and adopt the American one. But what’s with the whole idea of becoming “white” and being accepted? This has been created because America is a country of white supremacy. It has the power and advantages over everybody else; making them want to not feel discriminated against. Why is there a fear in Latinos to be discriminated about their skin tone and background? It is not just a Latino thing, but a whole race issue with America. Blacks have had it really bad and still do. Everybody is in fear, including white people.

Why would white people have fear you might ask? What is it that stops so many white people from wanting to change their hearts when it come it comes to race? What is it that keeps them stuck right there in that comfortable position? It is a combination of fear and greed. Greed in that they don’t want to lose dominance, power, privileges and benefits at the system of white supremacy has created in America for white people. They don’t want to lose none of it because they are scared. They are scared of black retribution and black vengeance. Since they put their hands on them and made them their personal slaves for no pay. Throughout America’s history black people been discriminated against and still are to this day. White people are scared of losing what they got and scared of losing their positions to minorities as a whole, not just to “blacks”. The whole “they took my job” is complete bullshit. It is a competitive market out there so man up and stop being lazy making up excuses for not doing the jobs you don’t want to do. America needs to face reality and admit it is a country of white supremacy. It is now and always been through institutions, culture, power, politics, education, and media. It is all biased. White people are not bad, we are all equal but white culture is racist. Not saying all whites are, but the culture is racist and that is the problem. Do something about it. Say something. Face your greed and fear so we can all live in a more peaceful country and peaceful world. America is meant for all people. We must embrace all cultures and identities while respecting and celebrating the culture of others. As talked about in (http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/03/blackness-isnt-the-problem/ ) we shouldn’t see differences as threats, something to be tolerated, or even ignored. Differences are to be respected, honored and celebrated, something that Dr. King was dreaming about.

http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/03/blackness-isnt-the-problem/

http://thesocietypages.org/papers/creating-a-latino-race/