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So the study doesn't really support the OP's conclusion. The "negative" in question is not due to diversity, but the fact that there are so many people who, when having little to no previous exposure to diversity, tend to overreact to it. As with so much, the first reaction to change or difference in humanity is to be fearful of it. This sounds more like a problem with ignorance than it does with diversity. Plenty of studies have shown that the longer diversity exists and the more exposure people have with it, the less bias against it. Cities, the primary centers of culture, education, jobs and higher standards of living, are also the most diverse. In the US, people are abandoning rural areas for a reason.
Well said. The big question is - HOW or what do you do when you encounter people who don't look like you, don't eat the same foods, don't worship the same faith - but live in the same community or area?
Are you respectful? Are you inclusive?
Or, are you disdainful and prone to your worst instincts and fears?
Heck, there are lots of conflicts in countries with a homogenous population. Take Korea, for example. Fought a war over it. Even in South Korea itself, there are ribalvies and competition between provincial regions --- such as Jeolla and Gyungsang.
Well said. The big question is - HOW or what do you do when you encounter people who don't look like you, don't eat the same foods, don't worship the same faith - but live in the same community or area?
Are you respectful? Are you inclusive?
Or, are you disdainful and prone to your worst instincts and fears?
Heck, there are lots of conflicts in countries with a homogenous population. Take Korea, for example. Fought a war over it. Even in South Korea itself, there are ribalvies and competition between provincial regions --- such as Jeolla and Gyungsang.
What I do depends on how I'm treated. I've been in the minority most of my life. I'm in the minority where I work. My middle school/high school years, I lived in an area that was about 90% White, and I'm Black. I'm used to being in the minority. How I'm treated bears far more of an impact that being in the minority on its own.
I remember when I wanted to buy some cowboy boots. I went to this place that had a mainly Hispanic clientele. I was the only Black guy, the only American in the store. I needed help with some boots. The man there showed me some boots. I spoke with some other customers in what little Spanish I knew. After I bought the boots, I was encouraged by the person I got the boots from to come back. I eventually returned and got a bolo tie. People who didn't look like me, came from a different background, I just decided to dive right in. I wasn't disdainful of anyone. I tried what Spanish I knew, and some people liked it alot.
In college I hung out with many of the international students. It wasn't difficult for me.
What I do depends on how I'm treated. I've been in the minority most of my life. I'm in the minority where I work. My middle school/high school years, I lived in an area that was about 90% White, and I'm Black. I'm used to being in the minority. How I'm treated bears far more of an impact that being in the minority on its own.
I remember when I wanted to buy some cowboy boots. I went to this place that had a mainly Hispanic clientele. I was the only Black guy, the only American in the store. I needed help with some boots. The man there showed me some boots. I spoke with some other customers in what little Spanish I knew. After I bought the boots, I was encouraged by the person I got the boots from to come back. I eventually returned and got a bolo tie. People who didn't look like me, came from a different background, I just decided to dive right in. I wasn't disdainful of anyone. I tried what Spanish I knew, and some people liked it alot.
In college I hung out with many of the international students. It wasn't difficult for me.
Thank you for sharing your story. It says that friendliness, respect and courtesy can transcend differences, right?
Now, using race as a measure for being American is very ridiculous and stupid. The American notion of what race is, it isn't the same as in other places. In America, Mariah Carey is considered Black. In Venezuela, where her father is from, no one would call her Black. Hugo Chavez has partial Black ancestry, but he would never be called Black in Venezuela. In America, however, that's definitely the case. In Haiti, "colored" was a term reserved for those of mixed Black and French ancestry. In America, it referred to any person with ANY Black ancestry.
Your point about Mary Carey being considered Black in America further highlights the issues with race identity along the problems of a "White" identity. The racist concept of the One Drop Rule still exists in the mindset of many people in this country. This idea that "whiteness" can only applied through some degree of European blood purity (not even all Europeans) and that if anyone's ancestor is considered non-white. It somehow alters the identity of a person to such a point that they are not even part of the same race. Its scientifically unfounded and logically absurd.
One of my major problems with the "white" identity is that it isn't an actual identity. There is no cultural, linguistics, ethnic, religious, historical connection that "white" people share. All being "white" means is that you are NOT Black, Native or Asian. Its not an identity, its a non-identity.
I'm Assyrian from the Middle East. Physically I have a fair complexion so in America I am considered "white" by looks. But what do I have in common with a guy from Alabama who is of Scots-Irish ancestry?...Nothing.. not religious, not cultural, not linguistic, not heritage, not history....so why are we part of the same group? Just because we aren't visually of Sub-African ancestry we have some magic connection...its so idiotic.
Your point about Mary Carey being considered Black in America further highlights the issues with race identity along the problems of a "White" identity. The racist concept of the One Drop Rule still exists in the mindset of many people in this country. This idea that "whiteness" can only applied through some degree of European blood purity (not even all Europeans) and that if anyone's ancestor is considered non-white. It somehow alters the identity of a person to such a point that they are not even part of the same race. Its scientifically unfounded and logically absurd.
One of my major problems with the "white" identity is that it isn't an actual identity. There is no cultural, linguistics, ethnic, religious, historical connection that "white" people share. All being "white" means is that you are NOT Black, Native or Asian. Its not an identity, its a non-identity.
I'm Assyrian from the Middle East. Physically I have a fair complexion so in America I am considered "white" by looks. But what do I have in common with a guy from Alabama who is of Scots-Irish ancestry?...Nothing.. not religious, not cultural, not linguistic, not heritage, not history....so why are we part of the same group? Just because we aren't visually of Sub-African ancestry we have some magic connection...its so idiotic.
You are not of European descent so you are not really part of the "same" group I suppose. Even if you are considered white, I'm not sure Alabama man would feel commonality with you either. No one expects all white people to be connected, just as any with any other race.
Some posters are taking this whole thing overboard.
Your point about Mary Carey being considered Black in America further highlights the issues with race identity along the problems of a "White" identity. The racist concept of the One Drop Rule still exists in the mindset of many people in this country. This idea that "whiteness" can only applied through some degree of European blood purity (not even all Europeans) and that if anyone's ancestor is considered non-white. It somehow alters the identity of a person to such a point that they are not even part of the same race. Its scientifically unfounded and logically absurd.
One of my major problems with the "white" identity is that it isn't an actual identity. There is no cultural, linguistics, ethnic, religious, historical connection that "white" people share. All being "white" means is that you are NOT Black, Native or Asian. Its not an identity, its a non-identity.
I'm Assyrian from the Middle East. Physically I have a fair complexion so in America I am considered "white" by looks. But what do I have in common with a guy from Alabama who is of Scots-Irish ancestry?...Nothing.. not religious, not cultural, not linguistic, not heritage, not history....so why are we part of the same group? Just because we aren't visually of Sub-African ancestry we have some magic connection...its so idiotic.
The one drop rule is a product of slavery and the days after. "Whiteness" was partially about European blood purity. However, there's more. One drop of Black males a person Black, even if they are as blond-haired and blue-eyed as anyone from northern Europe. The one drop rule is about keeping Blacks at a distance. That rule was rarely used for Whites who had a small bit of Native American ancestry. It was explicitly about Blacks.
The weird thing about being White is America is that in some cases, it wasn't just about not being Black, Native, or Asian. You had to be the "right" kind of White. At one time, Irish and Italian people were not considered White. They weren't Black, but they were somewhere in between.
It also depends on the region. In Mississippi, Chinese immigrants were not counted as White, but they couldn't go to the Black schools either. They had to go to a Chinese school until 1942, when they were allowed to go to the White schools, and could be counted as "white" for that purpose.
Nowadays, being "White" means being "non-Black", "non-Hispanic", "non-Asian", "non-Native American",etc. However, the one drop rule is reserved mainly for Black ancestry.
In Venezuela, there are about 2 million people of Middle Eastern background. They aren't referred to as "white" in Venezuela. Same goes for people of Middle Eastern background in Colombia. In the USA, racial identity is more rigid as a result of wanting to keep Blacks away from everyone else. And to an extent, other groups away from the majority. However, alot of racial categories in America grew out of slavery.
You are not of European descent so you are not really part of the "same" group I suppose. Even if you are considered white, I'm not sure Alabama man would feel commonality with you either. No one expects all white people to be connected, just as any with any other race.
Some posters are taking this whole thing overboard.
Well, here is the deal. if KenFresno and myself were ever to walk down the street. Who are people going to be more afraid of? Him, or me?
The one drop rule is a product of slavery and the days after. "Whiteness" was partially about European blood purity. However, there's more. One drop of Black males a person Black, even if they are as blond-haired and blue-eyed as anyone from northern Europe. The one drop rule is about keeping Blacks at a distance. That rule was rarely used for Whites who had a small bit of Native American ancestry. It was explicitly about Blacks.
This is 100% the truth. It was and always has been about making sure Black people were kept at arms length. Denied their rights denied their future. The irony of it, is that the "white" identity only exists because Black people exist.
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