Hispanics and African Americans: Sibling Races

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!