Eth 125 Racial And Ethnic Groups Research Paper

Racial and ethnic groups
ETH 125

Racial and ethnic groups Habeeb Akande (2013) said “Religious discrimination is not like racial discrimination. One you choose for yourself, the other God chose for you”. When a person is born into a group, like Hispanic, they make no choice. When a person joins a religion, like Jehovah’s Witnesses, it is by choice. Some people are brought to a religion by family, but at some point they make a choice to stay, or not to stay, involved. Whether it is religious or ethnic discrimination, whether it is by choice or by God, the effect is the same; painful. Jehovah’s Witnesses are a branch of Christianity. Like all branches of Christianity they believe there is one true God. They differ from other
branches in that they do not believe that Jesus is a part of the Godhead or Trinity (Beliefnet.com, n.d.). Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was created as God’s son. They believe that after death all people will be reunited body to soul and judged by God. This is a common belief amongst Christians. The difference is that if a person is judged as “…unrighteous…” their punishment is not to burn for all eternity, but to be separated from God, Jehovah, for all of eternity (Beliefnet.com, n.d.). For a Jehovah’s Witness the worst possible thing is to be separate from God. They believe that only 144,000 souls will be in Heaven during Eternity, and the remainder will work the Earth just below Heaven. They do not participate in blood transfusions, holidays born from false religions, or in birthdays. Children of Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to participate in school activities that surround holidays like Christmas or Easter. They also cannot partake of another child’s birthday cake. The American culture has come to include the sight of a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses walking down the street knocking on every door they come across. They bring out their children as well as their elderly. They are commissioned to share the story of their faith and to tell as many people as they can. Jehovah’s Witnesses are often victims of institutional discrimination. In Mexico if the school discovers a teacher is Jehovah’s Witness they will be fired (PBS: Knocking, n.d.). In 2005 the Mexican authorities took land away from 70 families, because they were Jehovah’s Witnesses, and gave it to other farmers (PBS: Knocking, n.d.). The same ethnic group that discriminates against the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Mexico are discriminated against here in America; Hispanics.
The native language of Hispanic people is Spanish. In parts of America an adaptation of Spanish and English has become known as Spanglish. There is a sense of pride in Hispanic homes that strives to maintain their heritage through their culture. The food is a large part of that culture, and is full of spices and flavor. Meat is a staple on a Hispanic dinner table. A strong Hispanic influence can be seen in the Southwestern United States as well as throughout the other States. Mexican restaurants are a common sight. American children all over enjoy a piñata at their birthday
parties. According to a poll done by NBC, 59 percent of non-Hispanics believe that Hispanics are the most discriminated against (Fram, 2013). Often times Hispanics are referred to as Mexicans regardless of their Country of origin. The topic of immigration has been a hot button in the news of late and Mexico and Mexicans seem to bear the brunt of the discrimination that stems from that discussion. Undocumented Hispanics are not afforded the same protection as American citizens. Eviatar reported in the Washington Independent (2009), of a 13-year-old Hispanic rape victim whose assailant was released and unpunished because the girl was undocumented. I have learned that the Hispanic people are hard workers as well as family oriented with strong pride in their heritage. I have also learned that Jehovah’s Witnesses are very dedicated to their faith despite persecution and open mocking. I have gained much respect for both of these groups. Both Hispanics and Jehovah’s Witnesses are discriminated against on the basis of their differences from mainstream Americans.
They are both fired from jobs or given the lowest paying jobs. The Hispanics are looked on as hard workers while the Jehovah’s Witnesses are laughed and made fun of for going door-to-door witnessing. Discrimination is based on fear; fear of the unknown. People are in large unaware of the beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and therefore discriminate against them. Some Americans do not take the time to get to know Hispanics, they assume they are undocumented Mexican people and discriminate against them. Whether a person is born into a Hispanic family, or they chose to join the Jehovah’s Witnesses, they do not deserve to be discriminated
against.

References
Akande, H. (2013). Good reads: Quotes About Discrimination. Retrieved from http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/discrimination?page=2
Beliefnet.com. (n.d.). What Do Jehovah 's Witnesses Believe? Retrieved from http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/What-Do-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Believe.aspx?b=1&p=3
Eviatar, D. (2009). Report Finds Widespread Discrimination against Latino Immigrants in South. Retrieved from http://washingtonindependent.com/39823/report-finds-widespread-discrimination-against-latino-immigrants-in-south
Fram, A. (2013). Poll: Hispanic discrimination high. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37263388/ns/us_news-life/t/poll-hispanic-discrimination-high/
PBS: Knocking. (n.d.). Religious persecution report. Retrieved from http://www.knocking.org/ReligiousPersecutionReport.html