Differences
between people within any given nation is much greater than differences between
groups in any given nation. African Americans and Hispanics came from two
different backgrounds and historical situations but still share many of the
same ways of living as a whole. This is true even though each person may differ
in many ways due to a variety causes like personality, parenting and social
interactions. Despite their differences, both share common views about intermarriage,
family cultures, and share the social struggle of feeling racially inferior to
other races.
Intermarriage views between African
Americans and Hispanics are similar, thus showing a comparison between the two.
Intermarriages have increased tremendously within the last couple of years.
Hispanics believe intermarriages strengthen pan-ethnicity. It also helps them
establish more income and stability in America.
Even though African Americans are least likely to marry outside their
race, they still are more likely to do so than whites. African American woman
tend to marry outside of their race because of the lack of African American men
with higher education. Therefor they believe they will find a mate outside
their race that will, like Hispanics, strengthen and establish stability.
In addition to intermarriage views showing a
similarity between African American and Hispanics, family culture shows how
both races are similar. Hispanics have an extended, tight-knit, supportive
system. They usually have many generations living in one household and often
times have family business where many of the family members work alongside.
When it is time for the children to go to college they tend to choose to stay
close to home if they do not choose to just stay home. Although African
American children tend to travel farther away from home for college, African
Americans have strong kinship bonds like Hispanics. Older family members pass
on social and various culture traditions to younger family members and in
return younger family members take care of their elders when they no longer can
take care of themselves.
Both races have and take quite
seriously big celebrations and family gatherings, enjoy dancing, music, and
religion which make them similar in culture. Even though intermarriage and
culture are concepts that express similarities between African Americans and
Hispanics, sharing the feeling of being “racially inferior” further displays
how they compare. Hispanics and African Americans are a racially, ethnically,
and culturally diverse mix of people who all grapple with the issues our
country faces. Hispanics are more likely to be discriminated along with blacks
in the workplace rather than other races. Both groups are considered
“minorities” and share a similar position in relation to the dominate White
culture. In addition, both groups have been historically treated unequally.
Hispanics and African Americans are often times negatively stereotyped which
causes negative perceptions. This is why, for example, African Americans are
more likely to being pulled over by racial profiling and susceptible to police
brutality.
Intermarriage views, culture, and
feeling “racially inferior” illustrate the similarities between Hispanics and
African Americans. Even though they are two different races, they both have
many similarities and if both groups join together as one much change in
society could be made!
