Intra-Racial Discrimination

Krystal Lopez Page 1
10/23/11

Hispanics Vs. Hispanics: Inter-racial Discrimination

Many Americans believe that racial discrimination is no longer problematic in today 's society.

Situations of interracial discrimination are often cited, but this does not to take into account that there

is often conflict within the race as well. This misconception stems from the fact that diversity amongst

the racial groups is often overlooked. Intra-racial discrimination is when a person or group of people

of the same race use factors including, but not limited to, socioeconomic background, appearance, and

skin color. Social or workplace hierarchies often develop under racial influence. Hostilities and

tensions can reside in every race of minority, but it is highly apparent in the Hispanic community.

Intra-racial discrimination has far reaching effects on not only the individual minority, but on

the race as a whole. The pressure of this type of discrimination affects how Hispanics collaborate

within a society of American superiority. For instance, people of Hispanic descent who do not speak

Spanish are often mistreated by people of their own, ethnic background. These people might be found

culturally lacking and treated differently from those that speak the language. The differences within a

specific race are nothing more than that. They are purely genetic or cultural, and do not hold any value.

It becomes a matter of cultural perception of what is expected rather than an actual cultural lack. Typically among Hispanics and other ethnic minorities, discrimination is an increasing actuality

witnessed even in the workplace. With the Hispanic population growing rapidly, along with their

increasing numbers of employment, it is becoming more apparent that inter and intra-racial

discrimination will target them as both victims and perpetrators. A hierarchy, or pecking order between

races and within races, and biased management are some of prime examples of workplace inequalities.

Situations like these occur because of the lack of people 's understanding of diversity.

Page 2 Discrimination is also prevalent within a race as seen in how some believe that varying skin

tones is cause for racial disparity. With a wide array of skin tones, Hispanics believe they are easily

targeted for ridicule and mistreatment. Even within their own race, some believe that lighter skin tones

provide them much more opportunities, and can help them to be more successful in a white dominated

community. More opportunities were provided for those with lighter skin.

Not only do Hispanics in America face more discrimination in regards to their outer

appearance, they also deal with the constant battle of being accused that they are not being ethnic

enough, or being too “Americanized” and not keeping their culture and traditions alive. Part of the

Hispanic population across the Mexican border feel that American Hispanics are “traitors” to their

ethnicity because they have denied themselves their rich, historical culture and thus abandoned their

roots.

Some Non-White Hispanics discriminate against their own race, not because of any

physical differences, but because of the similarities they share. Some identify with whites to such an

extent, that they believe they are white themselves. Ultimately, being discriminated against can lead to

the shameful denial of one 's self and their heritage, in hopes of becoming a more easily accepted

member of a predominantly White America. Their wish is to assimilate into the culture and to “fit in”.

In the article, Raising the Status of the Cashier, Agius and Lee report on their findings while

observing the interaction between Hispanic cashiers born in another country and their white customers.

The results of their three month long observations and their twenty interviews, was very surprising. La Canasta is an ethnic market catering to the Hispanic population in the area. When it was originally proposed for that area, local communities tried to stop it from being put in. The employees are all Hispanic and the cashiers are all Hispanic females that were born in another country and do not speak
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English.
Due to the fact that this store caters to the Hispanic population, it was interesting to learn that over a period of time, the white customer base actually jumped dramatically. What the researchers

found even more interesting was the fact that the Hispanic cashiers actually treated the white customers

better than the Hispanic ones. The cashiers thanked the white customers on an average three times

compared to one on the Hispanic customers. They spent more time and lingered on the sale with the

white customer. The Hispanic cashiers tended to be more friendly and smile with the white customers.

These findings went against the findings of previous research under McCormick and Kinloch

(1986). This research indicated that it was more about the racial situation between whites and

Hispanics rather than the race of the cashier. This was not the case at La Canasta. It appeared that the

cashiers went the extra mile for their white guests. Even though, it was impossible to verbally

communicate, the cashiers would joke with the white customers more than the Hispanic ones. When

asked why they went to this specific store, the white guests indicated that they liked being the only

white person in the store and receiving personalized attention. When the cashiers were asked about the

diverse background visiting the store, they all indicated that there was a fair percentage of white people.

When asking the white customers, they all indicated that they were the only white people in the store

even if there were other white people in the store at that very time.

La Canasta shows that their can be discrimination within the same race. “The cashiers do not

resent their White customers...and accept their place in the social hierarchy” (Agius & Lee, 214). It

appears that the cashiers felt that there was a growth in social status by helping the white customers.

Thus, consciously or subconsciously, they treated the white customers better than their own nationality.

The cashiers believe that “their presence alone raises their status” (Agius & Lee, 215). They are not

just cashiers, but cashiers that serve white customers.

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Discrimination has been around for thousands of years. It seeps into all societies and often

changes rational men to irrational. It is not just between two races; it knows no bounds or restrictions.

Within a culture, there can be discrimination. It can be based upon the slight shade in a skin tone, to the perception that one 's race may elevate social status. It covers all facets of a culture from customs to

speaking the language. Diversity within the Hispanic culture provides many outlets for discrimination

of all kinds. It is just as destructive intra-racially as it is inter-racially.

Works Cited

Jody A. Agius and Jennifer Lee, “Raising the Status of the Cashier: Latina-White Interactions in an Ethnic Market,” 18/10/201: 27 pages, Springer

Cited: Jody A. Agius and Jennifer Lee, “Raising the Status of the Cashier: Latina-White Interactions in an Ethnic Market,” 18/10/201: 27 pages, Springer