Blacks and Hispanics: demographic and social characteristics

Race and Ethnicity

Development of a new form of racial difference: Analysis of "Bridging a racial rift that isn't black and white" by Rachel Swarns

American society has a tumultuous history when discussing the social issue of black and white American animosity. For many years, white Americans dominated American society at the expense of black Americans, who were considered slaves to the white American "masters" until the 20th century. Until the success of the civil rights movement in the late 20th century, American society has managed to create a society that, though not ideally egalitarian, takes into consideration the rights of not only white Americans, but black Americans as well.

Now, in the 21st century, American society is yet again facing another challenge as it experiences another "racial rift," as described in Rachel Swarns' analysis in the article, "Bridging the racial rift that isn't black and white." The article brings into fore the issue of racial animosity between the black Americans and Hispanics, a conflict that is motivated by more than just the differences in each group's skin color. In the article, Swarns delves into the conflict resulting from the social unease emerging between the two groups, caused primarily by economic inequality and prejudiced views of one group against the other.

In discussing the issue of racial animosity between black Americans and Hispanics, this paper discusses how the changing demographics in American society and the continuous changes occurring within it leads to the development of social problems and issues that, even though detrimental to the social dynamics of the two groups, actually will help it (American society) progress towards a more tolerant and pragmatic society in years to come.

In the article, Swarns determined the racial animosity between black Americans and Hispanics as primarily motivated by the economic inequalities and differences that emerge in the community wherein both groups are dominantly located. The most explicit form of economic tension between the two groups is the evident demand for Mexican workers instead of black Americans, which translated into better opportunities for the former than the latter group.

In the midst of this economic inequality emerged the cultural differences between them, wherein prejudice and stereotypes become "fuel" that further escalate the animosity between the black Americans and Hispanics. Black Americans are perceived as violent and generally, as criminals, while Hispanics are known to be opportunists and became the 'butt of jokes' because of their "poor hygiene." All these issues, how trivial they may be, operate to further intensify the racial differences between the two groups.