Week 10 - Prejudical Attitudes

Racism, prejudice and discrimination exist well beyond black and white.  Typically in America when this topic is discussed it's thought of only between the two races, however these issues exists among and against other racial/ethnic groups. Others groups possess prejudice/discriminatory attitudes against one another and was discriminated against by whites in America such as the Italians, Asians, Polish, Irish, Chinese and Japanese, especially as it relates to immigration.  Each of these groups possessed some form of unfavorable opinion of the other.  During different times in history as various groups migrated in search of a better life the preceding group having previously established in the country would concentrate on the present group's economic and educational limitations discriminating against them; sort of a means of protecting their own interests.  Not only did prejudice and discrimination perpetuate those who had a stronger influence could be found exploiting others especially in the area of cheap labor such as with whites and Chinese. In some instances the conflicts between white workers and other ethnic groups for employment opportunities caused exclusion of those wishing to live the American dream earning income that would allow them to send money home to their families.  Chinese men came in search of earning and saving money.  Once jobs diminished, further immigration of the Chinese halted by the passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act but some time after, the Japanese immigrants arrived leading to strict laws being set in place; setting quotas and strict limitations on the Japanese and the number allowed to enter the U.S.  It appears that in some form or another people will always find a reason to separate and view differences of others in a negative light. Over time these issues have and will continue to improve as people become more sensitive to cultural differences, but will always exist.  If it's not color, it's social class; if not social class, it's intelligence level and so forth.