Race and Your Community

Race and Your Community
Michael Infanzon
ETH125
September 12, 2010
Earlena Gilchrist

Race and Your Community
Even though the recent legislation of SB1070 and the anti-immigration protests have seemed to alienate the community in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Hispanic and non-Hispanic residents are for the most part non-judgmental when it comes to individuals of different ethnic and racial backgrounds.
What do you see when you look in the mirror every day? Are you just another individual getting by in the world? Or do you identify yourself with a certain ethnic group or race? I never gave this question much thought until this course. I always have seen myself as an American. Never a white American or an American of Hispanic descent. Although I can personally identify with both groups, I never did. I can look at my neighbors and those I come in contact with in the local grocery store and think “Are they like me?” Do they come from a diverse ethnic heritage like I do?
Being raised in a culturally diverse city like Miami, I never thought any different to what the racial and ethnic mix was of the community I chose to live in and raise my daughters. Although I personally was raised in an area of 58% Hispanic, my daughters are growing up in an area of 88% white. (zipskinny, n.d.) We can be considered of Hispanic heritage but when you see us, we look like a typical Caucasian family. Blonde or red hair and hazel eyes do not fit the standard stereotype of Hispanics in our community.
I was talking to my mother recently about an experience she had in Miami. It seems that non-Spanish speaking Americans in Miami are being snubbed by the Spanish speaking residents. I can understand the frustration of some individuals who are refusing to learn the Spanish language. Although the Mexican immigration issue is forefront in Arizona right now, I have seen nothing but acceptance of individuals who do not speak English as long as they are here legally. From the checkout... [continues]

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