For all the talk about the "self evident truth" that all are created equal, the reality about American history and current events is that many do not believe it.
From the early years when natives were forced from their home territories by newcomers, through the census years when slaves were counted as less than a person, then to the 19th Century when immigrants were refused jobs because of their national origin -- a practice that continues despite legal prohibition -- to the current time that sees racial epithets chanted by political protestors, bigotry in many forms puts people of some groups the target of prejudice in hiring, voting, home ownership, education and other social activities.
Currently, the lamp beside the Golden Door of liberty shines brightly for refugees from Ukraine, but the door remains shut for those from Central America. Newcomers from Asia and Africa also face more challenges than those from Europe.
Why, then, are some refugees welcome but others are not?
Bigotry varies by preconceived notions of importance, usually based on ethnicity, race, religion and social status.
The word prejudice is rooted in the term "to pre-judge," or to decide on a person's value even before meeting and getting to know that individual. Is American society better than it was as it reduces the amount of blatant bigotry?
Perhaps. But that could be only in how blatant that bigotry is.
Refugees from Ukraine are being welcomed to America. Yet refugees from other countries are not. The question remains, Why?
From the early years when natives were forced from their home territories by newcomers, through the census years when slaves were counted as less than a person, then to the 19th Century when immigrants were refused jobs because of their national origin -- a practice that continues despite legal prohibition -- to the current time that sees racial epithets chanted by political protestors, bigotry in many forms puts people of some groups the target of prejudice in hiring, voting, home ownership, education and other social activities.
Currently, the lamp beside the Golden Door of liberty shines brightly for refugees from Ukraine, but the door remains shut for those from Central America. Newcomers from Asia and Africa also face more challenges than those from Europe.
Why, then, are some refugees welcome but others are not?
Bigotry varies by preconceived notions of importance, usually based on ethnicity, race, religion and social status.
The word prejudice is rooted in the term "to pre-judge," or to decide on a person's value even before meeting and getting to know that individual. Is American society better than it was as it reduces the amount of blatant bigotry?
Perhaps. But that could be only in how blatant that bigotry is.
Refugees from Ukraine are being welcomed to America. Yet refugees from other countries are not. The question remains, Why?
No comments:
Post a Comment