Ethnicity & Race

Common people, if you actually think that race and ethnicity in the United States is no longer an issue in the year 2009, you’re wrong. Even though slavery and segregation are problems of the past, it does not mean that minorities don’t continue to be discriminated and harassed. I’m from Cuban descent, born in the beautiful city of Miami almost 23 year ago, and within these 23 years I cannot even count the times I’ve been discriminated against when put in a socially constructed environment where the predominate race is not my own. I’ve even been looked down upon by other Hispanics. Why is it that people have to make a big deal of race, when the only race that truly exists is the Human race. Like the article said, the problem is the confusion between ethnicity and race; they are not the same thing. The definition of ethnicity continues to change, being a problem as well. Ethnicity is not necessarily just your cultural background, but it is also your affiliation within your in group and those who are also associated with the culture that is not of the same background. For example, I am part of the Cuban ethnic group, but as a bigger whole of the Hispanic Culture in the United States of America.
These issues of race and ethnicity are largely seen in the media and in the entertainment industry as well. Now living in Miami, there are significant amounts of Hispanics in the industries. Yet, why do we not see the same amount of African Americans in the media? Why is it that in sitcoms, cartoons, even in news broadcastings the favored socially constructed race are always White Americans, and minorities if displayed are always given minor roles. This is also seen in video games, where minorities are presented as less important or of threat to the white community. For example, in the game “Grand Theft Auto” African Americans are portrayed as gangsters, however, we all know that gang groups do not see the color of one’s skin nor does is it matter the gender of the person, in order to participate in such association. There are people in gangs that are White, Black, Hispanic, Mestizo and etc, so why isn’t it portrayed likewise in such games.
These issues must first be attacked by the minorities themselves, to continue to make a difference in society; it must start with the minorities in the industry. If there are going to be games like Grand Theft Auto, then there must be a multicultural balance with in such games. This way it is seen as a game, and not discrimination displayed through the game itself.