African Americans and Hispanics in the United States should work together as minorities in addressing political, cultural, communication, and community issues because there is power in numbers. Politically we run into the problem of separation on issues in regards to race and culture. When in fact African Americans and Hispanics have similar problems in acquiring employment and if fortunate in getting a job, it’s usually low paying, which results in a life of poverty. Our backgrounds are similar in this situation both races ultimate goal is to try and be a part of mainstream America or live the American dream. Culturally we need to be able to express ourselves amongst each other and not be judged based on what were accustomed to. We have to find ways to encourage dialogue between the races that address the differences and not divide over them, but respect that individual’s culture. No one culture is right or wrong it’s what gives that particular race of people an identity. The language barrier is a great divide when it comes to coming together. Putting programs in place for African Americans no matter what age in learning Spanish as well as Hispanics learning English should be a requirement to be a citizen. Communication is a key in any situation and language barriers make it so much more difficult to make any progress no matter what the ultimate goal. Community issues can only be solved by being united as one. We as a country have a hard time coming together on issues that we feel are not in our neighborhoods or don’t hit our doorstep. We’ve turned our backs to the problems of the inner city for years upon years and have not addressed the issues at hand. We’ve tried putting band-**** on the problem but when we take it off the problem is still there. It was just shielded for a time.
What African Americans and Hispanics can do to strengthen their relationships is to learn to communicate, like I said before there is sometimes a vast language barrier, but if we can put something in place in order to overcome the barrier, progress can be made. Both groups need to recognize that it’s not just an African American problem or a Hispanic problem it’s a United States problem, and once we start to realize that it takes a group that stands firm, progress can be made. Just like in the Civil Rights Movement it came about because people wanted change, and once the people in the North saw what was going on in the South and decided that simply because it was happening in the South meant it didn’t affect them, realized they were wrong and started to act. That is when the movement started getting media attention that reachead a more vast majority. Then when people of the “white race” from the North were being **** in support of the paramount catastrophe that was taking place down there. People in high places started to take a closer look, which resulted in the challenge of several laws that were in place.
How Historically Black Colleges & Universities should continue to support the needs of the African American Students and growing Hispanic population is because it is needed. They have the resources in order to fulfill any students dream to better themselves in the form of education. Society doesn’t look at a High School Diploma as an accomplishment and any degree above that is more welcomed and employers look to hire someone with a degree, although it isn’t always the most qualified candidate for the position, but it is the most popular decision. We as minorities have to step up to the plate although society doesn’t deal us a fair hand we have to strive to continue to play the game in order to succeed. Historically Black Colleges and Universities can continue to support their minority students in ways such as this essay contest, and other things that reach out to students that want to succeed in education.
