Are ethnic tensions worse, the same, or better than they were ten years ago in America?

Question

If there has been change, either way, what has driven the changes?

Answer 1

911 made things a lot worse for Arabic or Arabic looking people.

I don't think anything is really changing for women or gays...not ethnic but if you want to talk about inequality, there is some stagnation here.

Blacks I think would say that some of the pressure is off due to the 911 thing. I have heard comment that Arabs are the new NI**ER...which is very sad but it seems to be true.

Re: Latinos, it seems to be worse here in Texas.

Asians, I don't know if there are a lot of really NEGATIVE stereotypes (good in math, good cooks, bad drivers, hard working, so what??) but I could be wrong, and I am unaware of any changes in public opinion about these groups.

I think among YOUTH there seems to be more tolerance...this may have to do with the music of the time, and a mixed fan base among all genres of music, and a lot of crossover of what people are listening to, but also having role models and "hotties" from every ethnic group in Hollywood, sports, and music. I grew up listening to my white brother talk about how hot Tyra Banks was. Twenty years ago, you wouldn't hear that kind of thing.

Technology doesn't hurt when it comes to bringing people together. The world is really getting smaller in terms of exchange of ideas and goods and services.

And we continue to explode in population which means as a planet we are getting more crowded and forced to live closer together. The close quarters of American cities and the diversity in them means that people are getting a dose of reality more often...less room to guess and assume and if you do, you could get your butt kicked so it pays to be tolerant. So I would say that if there is tension, maybe these days it is more towards individuals than groups.

One thing in cities that tends to breed intolerance is the gang culture, often they are racially based. And random hatred toward anyone who is not in that gang.

I think that yesterdays blanket racism is becoming easier to reason out than it used to. The truly ignorant racists are dying out and those left behind don't have much political power, like the "good old boys" in the South who used to run the whole town.

The Black community as a whole places a lot of value on education and acquiring wealth and this is a step in the right direction.

As far as violence goes, I think the scale of our ability to harm others is getting way out of hand, what with bombs, automatic weapons, etc. getting into the hands of children even...and as a culture we have had to look at this. Gone are the days of street gangs fighting with switchblades...which is bad but not nearly as bad as a driveby where unintended victims get shot by a machine gun. It is to the point where we have had to address what is happening in terms of tension, anger, and mental health so these things happen less. That is a good thing, even if we aren't there yet, and it has taken such destruction to take notice of it.

One thing, though, that I think needs to be mentioned here is that 911 did bring out the best and worst of people right after. As a lingering effect, however, I think we as a culture just don't trust people anymore, to know that something so horrible could happen, so many people affected at the hand of strangers, so suddenly...and ethnic differences just drive more wedges into our various groups.

Answer 2

It is worse, the same, or better than they were ten years ago in America. Yes, it is all of the above, depending on day to day situations.

For example, I can live next to my neighbors longer before they run away.

I am friends with people outside my race who I feel comfortable with

I can go to some restaurants and still be ignored for longer than people of the acceptable race

People think I drive a BMW because I deal in drugs. I do not.

Some people think my education is because I'm a beneficiary of affirmative action. No, I'm naturally smart, I learn very quickly. I graduated first in my class.

Some think I'm deaf because I look like an African black, pure blooded, so they speak to me in a louder voice.

Enough already.

Answer 3

I think that there is less racial tension in the US overall, but some cities and towns may be having problems. I think that the change has several reasons- One of them being 9/11 and another being that we have an enormously unpopular president who has started a war in the middle-east. These are things that unite us and make us realize that we are Americans, whatever our color.

Answer 4

Bigotry and ethnic tensions are a bit worse. Just in the last week I dealt with some thing that I have not seen in many years. this is sad. i believe this comes from fear and insecurity

Answer 5

In urban areas the situation seems to have improved, particularly among the younger and lower socio-economic classes. In rural areas not a big change.

Answer 6

I think there's more tension cause of the Hispanic population and the illegal aliens demanding rights. and that they think they deserve more better treatment than any other citizen as if they're special.

Answer 7

Much, much better. The only real ethnic tensions seem to come from Americans dislike and disgust of illegal aliens!

Answer 8

Same, but its shifted. We now hate hispanics. Not cool to hate blacks any more, that and whitie is tired of hearing about how far we've come and how much farther we need to go. This is it! Ain't no farther dog!

Answer 9

Worse, only because of the massive influx of illegal immigrants coming into the country as of late.

Answer 10

Same, just focused on a different group.