Many hundred years ago, black slaves were brought to this country from different countries in Africa. They were to work in the farms and plantations of their masters, those that bought them from the **** traders. Slavery went on for many years, but was gradually abolished by different oppositions mounted by some whites and blacks. Some black civil rights advocates sacrificed their lives to fight for equality and freedom for the blacks. Although slavery has ended, there were times in this country when it was very hard to live as a Black or an African American. To be an African American brought on constant oppression, racism, and segregation. African Americans at one point had to struggle for acceptance and for freedom of speech and liberty. They had to struggle for equal rights in voting and employment as well. Being an African American is different from back in the days of the Civil Rights Movement However, It is now 2007, and African Americans are still struggling for all sorts of equalities. Granted that some African Americans have gained reckoning status, many are still fighting for freedom and equality. Majority are poor and less educated, segregation continues in its subtle ways, and the unemployment rate of the black young males continues to skyrocket. Today, many African American males and females are in jails and prisons. Injustice against African Americans is prevalent in the American judiciary system. A lot of black children are without fathers, and live below the poverty index line. Many black families are dysfunctional to say the least. African Americans are still fighting for favorable political issues; they continue to identify and introduce their ancestral culture in the midst of the American culture. Communications between the Whites and African Americans tend to fail majority of the time thus sparking riots and clashes. There is always tension within the communities harboring Whites and Blacks. The Whites see themselves as the majority while Blacks refuse to be oppressed. Although, English is the main American language, a lot of African Americans want to identify with different African languages. In trying to be accepted in the main stream American culture and communities, African Americans continue to face stiff resistance from some whites who are the majority. The White man **** master’s mentality is still visible today in some communities of the United States. The struggle by the African Americans for freedom and equality is an ongoing endeavor. It is a struggle that will benefit the Hispanics who are the new immigrants to the United States. A lot of the Hispanics come to this country as immigrants fleeing away from the poor economies of their homelands. They also come in pursuit of freedom and opportunities to better their lives and the lives of their children. There are many Hispanics in many of the United States’ communities. Majority are also facing discrimination, persecution, injustices, and stiff oppositions. They also find their culture difficult to be assimilated into the American culture. Majority works in the farms and being paid minimal wages. The Hispanics are discriminated against in many ways and places. They are now fighting for freedom and equality that the African Americans fought for many years ago and continue to fight till today. Blacks have more freedom and rights now compared to the civil rights movement days. The struggle by blacks to be fully accepted into the American society and to have equal rights as the white majority is not over yet. Blacks were once considered the only minority, but the Hispanics are now another minority group. Being a Hispanic translates to being of a Spanish descent. The Hispanics are now struggling to be accepted in the American society just as the blacks struggled and continue to struggle till date. Hispanic population continues to grow as well. So, it definitely becomes important that the Hispanics work together with the African Americans to address the Political, Cultural, Communication, and Community issues befalling the two minority groups. For the Hispanics to be accorded civil rights and freedom, they must work together with the African Americans who have been in the struggle for the past two hundred years now.
Most African Americans and Hispanics live in low income communities. Many African American and Hispanics have less education, make minimum wages, and live in poor neighborhoods. These two minority groups also have differences in terms of their History, language, Culture, Values, and Ideologies. The question of what can be done to strengthen the two groups’ relationship as they live in a community continues to rage from both camps. From my own perspective, many things could be done. Since English language is the primary communicating language in America, the Hispanics must learn to speak and write the English language. African Americans on the other hand must learn to speak and write Spanish. A proper communication and understanding of each others language will clear up a lot of the misunderstandings that lead to frustrations and fights amongst the two groups. A better communication means will foster better community living. The understanding of each others cultural background will help to strengthen the two groups’ relationship. The Hispanics must be thought the African American History, Culture, Values, and ideologies. Centers for History and Cultural adaptation of people can be established in these communities for the residents to attend once in a while. This must be a mutual learning forum for the two groups. One easy way to accomplish this is to encourage more of both groups to go to schools. They should be encouraged to obtain education. Grants and loans with low interest repayment rate can be made available for these minority groups to use in obtaining education. Increased education will lead to better understanding of each others history, culture, values, and ideologies. It will also increase their income earning abilities and potential. Education and higher income tend to create a better interaction between people. Even though African Americans and Hispanics may live in the community, the Hispanics tend to live in separate sections of the community. The Hispanics tend to isolate themselves from the other community residents. Healthy interaction amongst the people of a community is a vital component of a healthy community. If individuals in a community are not able to interact with one another positively, there is a potential problem in the affairs of that community. **** within the communities is not proper, but they do erupt from time to time. Just as **** erupts in the African American section of the community, so does it erupt in the Hispanic section also. Street gangs are now developing in both cultures. Healthy interactions of both groups can minimize or eradicate that problem.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, HBCUs, for years have definitely made an impact in training and educating African Americans and also Hispanics living in the United States. Many of the historically black colleges are amongst the elite institutions of education in the country. They have opened the doors in making sure that African Americans and other minorities such as the Hispanics obtained education. Apparently though, it is noted that in the United States, everyone who seriously wants an education can acquire an education. HBCU’s were established to provide education for the minorities, and was adopted as a vehicle to deal with the issues of racism, oppression, and segregation. HBCUs must continue to provide education to the minorities because they provide the vehicle to dismantle oppression, racism, slavery, and segregation which are still well and alive in this American society believe it or not. Education is the beckon of enlightenment. Education exposes the evils of injustice, segregation, slavery, racism, etc. Education is knowledge that exposes the impacts of wrong doings and evils. Education mold minds and polish skills. It increases income earning potential, and leads to a better and higher living standard. For most college students trying to obtain education, college tuition continues to pose a problem. It continues to rise annually. It draws the line between those students who pay the large expense to receive a degree and those who actually return in the next semester. HBCUs must strive to lower education cost. They must continue to award more scholarships to minorities. They must go out to encourage and admit more minorities into their programs. I think that the African American and Hispanic youths should be made aware of how to go about entering a college institution no matter their financial position. Talk to them about the opportunities and earning potentials that exist after graduation. I think that representatives from some of the HBCU’s should go into some of these low income communities providing tutorial services in certain subjects to those high school students that are at the bother line. HBCUs should have mentor programs in the low income communities, and continue to talk to some of the youths who wish to receive an education. Advise them on how they can go about receiving an education no matter their financial situation. Even in purposing that perspective, HBCU’s should aid in offering ways to those youths from even the worst communities to obtain their education. HBCUs must in conjunction with the Federal Government, State Governments, Corporations, Foundations, and even individuals continue to work with the leaders of these low income communities to educate those willing to try.
