Jessica Jenkins1 Justin CourtJackson, MS 39306June 1, 2007The African American & Hispanic Community The United States of America guarantees life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for its entire population. This principle has been skewed for many who are in search of bettering themselves, particularly for minorities. African American and Hispanic citizens have struggled to obtain the American dream which they deserve equally as other ethnicities. Both must work together in the United States because the issues plaguing these minorities are the same. Political, cultural, communication and community issues need the combined effort of African American and Hispanic public. Making up over ¼ of the US population, African Americans and Hispanics have the potential to have major changes in politics. These changes are not only on a local level but also on a nationwide level. Voting is a natural right which many minorities have not taken advantage of and can bring them closer to solutions. “Natural rights” guarantee citizens the rights promised in the constitution at birth. We, as a minority, can have men such as Barack Obama become president and voice the issues of many races in the community. One of the most important and often overlooked issues of the community is healthcare. Over half of Americans admit they are without any form of healthcare or insurance. Without healthcare, the minorities are crippled with financial debt in times of emergency and crisis. These emergencies stem from other community issues such as gun control and illegal ****. Minorities must help one another because the government cannot always be depended on. After the devastating **** Katrina in August of 2005, the gulf coast was in pandemonium. It took weeks for President Bush to respond and FEMA trickled in supplies after the worst of the damage had passed. The citizens, including minorities from all of the United States, banded together and created dozens of organizations which is restoring the coast making it more vivacious than before. The cultural and communicative influences of the African Americans and Hispanics shape the United States. From the arts to land, African Americans and Hispanics have given so much to the United States. Music such as blues, r & b, gospel, jazz, hip-hop, salsa, and reggaeton is formed in America and is imitated in every other continent because of their originality and depth. Even before they were considered citizens, both ethnicities have developed lands in the south and west which would be bare without their labor. Therefore, both should continue expanding on their own creations and leave a monument of their talents as an example for future generations. This accomplishment will communicate not only with those of the future but also with the present. Other African Americans and Hispanics will be inspired to show the world that there culture is an amazing yet unfamiliar heritage. African Americans and Hispanic should unite and address these issues because they can directly change them. The presidency and government can only do so much while it is because of the concerns of the minorities that influence this nation dedicated to the pursuit of happiness.
