Race and Multiculturalism

Reflection paper on Race, Social Justice, Diversity, and Equality - past, present, and future.

The relationship between social structure and race is one that many people cannot see or are seemingly unaware of, because it is not obvious to us, especially those of the white race. It is interesting to ponder the advantages that coincide with being of the white race and the effects it has on social structure, and on others races, predominately people of color.

Being born into the white race is almost like being given a free pass for certain privileges and benefits which people of color are short-changed of. Simple things like attending a school where my peers and teachers are predominately of my race or never having to worry about being unfairly or rudely treated because of the color of my skin are taken for granted. I will never have to worry as I am sitting in a college classroom if people are questioning if I really earned the right to be there or was it because of affirmative action that I was accepted. It is also to my advantage that I am of the white race because my heritage and culture are accepted norms of society. I do not have to be ashamed to celebrate family traditions or holidays such as Christmas or Easter because I am of the white class.

Another display of white privilege, has arisen since the terrorist attacks on 9-11-01. Arab-Americans are harassed, hated, profiled, feared, accused, and interrogated as a repercussion of the attacks. Arab-Americans have learned what it is like to be Black in America. The advantages of being a member of the white race during the months that have followed are endless. I can walk down the street without having people label me a terrorist because of my race. When I turn on the television, I do not have to fear that the only time I will see my race is when it is reference to terrorism.

One of the great things about America is that we are supposed to have a class-less society. Some countries have a class structure that is impossible to break. If you are born poor, you will die poor. There is no hope to break the cycle. That should not be the case in America. We like to believe that anyone can find fame and fortune in this country. The promise is that you can work hard and make it big.

Although we have a "class-less society," that does not mean we are totally without classes in our country.