Ethnic Groups And Discrimination
Ethnic Groups and Discrimination
An ethnic group I personally belong to is African American. African Americans make up approximately 15% of the United States population. This group was taken from various parts of the African continent and brought to the United States. African Americans became enslaved in the United States but with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln, African Americans were officially gained freedom as a people in the year 1863.
African Americans faced prejudice, segregation, and racism before, during and after slavery. When African Americans arrived on the shores of the colonies of the United States, they were segregated from everyone else and were kept in holding cells and on plantations. African Americans were looked upon as sub-human beasts and savages.
The dual labor market affected African Americans. Jobs that were available to African Americans were low paying jobs with no opportunities for advancement and were expected to perform unskilled labor jobs which is now know as blue-collar jobs.
In the past, which continues today, African Americans are affected by environmental justice issues. African American communities are being subjected to hazardous and polluting industries located near their neighborhoods. Because of this, the residents are suffering from different illnesses from the chemicals. Studies have proven that toxic or dangerous facilities in the United States are likely to be located in communities of color such as African American, American Indian and Latino, other than in white communities.
Affirmative action was designed to achieve fair employment practices in the workplace. Companies are starting to practice affirmative action so that people of other backgrounds will have rights and are employed and treated equally regard to their race, creed, color, or natural origin. Schools and universities are also making sure that they accept a certain amount of minorities into...
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