[ Introduction ] [ Ethnic Studies 101: The Basics ] [ Issues, Theories, and Methodologies ] [ America's Ethnic Groups ] [ Construction of Ethnic Identities ] [ Importance of Ethnic Studies ]
Native Americans
History: Indians were portrayed as savages and white men came to "better" them by giving them religion and a more civilized lifestyle. This is a myth for Indians were not savages and the white men came instead to steal their land and kill them off. The white men gave the Indians diseased blankets, alcohol, and guns to kill one another. The Indians were either fought off their land or were forced to sign treaties confining them to reservations.
Construction/Reconstruction: White men gave Indians the name Native Americans and this was seen as the politically correct term. However, the Indians prefer the name Indian over Native Americans because to them, the term Native American refers to everyone born in the United States. White men also called Indian tribes names other than their self-chosen names, such as the Lakota being renamed Sioux. Indians are still attached to those stereotypes and hardships caused by their history.
Blacks
History: Blacks were captured in Africa by other African tribes and served as indentured servants before being sold to slave trade ships. They arrived in America and were sold as slaves and were no longer indentured servants. Once they were freed, they were tied to their slave owners through false debts owed and were forced to continue to work to repay these debts.
Construction/Reconstruction: Blacks were portrayed as characters such as Mammy, who loved her white family, but beat and hated her own black children. They were also portrayed as dumb and happy to be slaves. White people would paint their faces black with excessively enlarged white lips for comedy, known as the "black face" comedy. Still today they struggle to detach themselves from the stereotypes placed on them years ago.
Asians
History: Asian persecution pertained mainly to internment camps. During World War II when the United States was at war with Japan, Germany, and Italy, the US government ordered all Japanese people on the Western coastline, mainly California, to internment camps. These internment camps were described to be like a "model town" where they would be able to work and be paid by the US government. They were forced to leave everything behind except what they could fit in two bags. However, upon arrival at these internment camps, they realized it was more like a prison than a model town. They were kept in terrible conditions and many died in the camps. As compensation for this heinous deed, the US government offered $20,000 to those that fell under strict qualifications. Only 1/3 of the total prisoners of the camps actually received the reparations.
Construction/Reconstruction: Japanese-Americans have been labeled as Japs and Orientals in the past. These names are incorrect, especially because oriental is used to describe an object or area, not a person. Although this term is incorrect, it is still used today by many uneducated people.
Hispanics
History: After the Mexican War, the United States border was extended into what was Mexico, now present-day Texas. This created many disturbances, as suddenly there were Mexicans now made American citizens, and many more now lived closer to the border between Mexico and America. Hispanics crossed the border to work for higher wages than in their own country. This provided a cheap labor source for United States employers. This caused competition between United States citizens and Hispanics, as the Hispanics were "stealing US jobs." The INS caught many Hispanics and sent them back to Mexico. The immigration problem still exists today and will only continue to increase.
Construction/Reconstruction: There has been a lot of conflict between labels for Hispanics. Some labels are Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, Mexican-Americans. Each label has a history and it actually depends on each person’s personal choice. The term "Hispanic" seems to be preferred by the majority, but not by an overwhelming amount. It depends also on a person's education, location, and environment.
[ Introduction ] [ Ethnic Studies 101: The Basics ] [ Issues, Theories, and Methodologies ] [ America's Ethnic Groups ] [ Construction of Ethnic Identities ] [ Importance of Ethnic Studies ]