RACIAL GROUPS EXPERIENCES
Conflict theory
This theory was chosen because it explains why inequality has been on the rise in the current world through history. This theory has been used to describe a broad scope of natural phenomena such as discrimination, poverty, domestic violence, and wars. This perspective focuses on competition for limited resources in the society. This is a macro-level approach most compatible with the works of German philosopher and sociologist Karl Marx(1818-1883) who believed that individuals in different social classes who are in competition for socio-political resources like employment, food and housing and religion make up the society (Goldman, Cooper & Kugler, 2019). There are social institutions like the government and education which shows that there is competition in their innate inequalities and help in maintaining the unequal social structure. However, critics believe that it has neglected social stability. Some are in agreement that the communities cannot avoid change but point out that much of the transition is minor or incremental.
Many communal conflicts in history could be described by the tenets of this approach (Choi, Poertner & Sambanis, 2019). For instance, in the United States of America immigrants have been viewed negatively with some accusing them of that they are in competition with the natives in terms of employment and resources. This has resulted in increased competition in jobs and more jobs are going to immigrant workers since it costs less for employers to take in an immigrant worker who is highly skilled and does not understand English than take a native who is not adequately skilled. There is a usual fear that immigration will change a nation’s native culture.
Challenges immigrants have faced and how they cope
In the current generation, one in every 50 immigrants is identified as an asylum seeker, migrant worker, or an immigrant living in a foreign country. Studies have shown that 150 million people live in foreign countries temporarily or permanently. The increase in racial and ethnic diversity is unavoidable because there is an increase in the number of immigrants in the United States of America. The states have become multicultural and are facing various challenges in welcoming different people from different countries, races, languages, and religions (Enoksen, 2016).). Taking care of this issue includes finding a political, legal economic and social mechanisms which make sure that there is mutual respect to one another and to intercede relationships across existing differences But racism has been on the forefront for many years and have been manifested in different communities that have received a large number of asylum seekers and immigrants. They have become the target of internal disputes regarding national identity. They are constantly trolled by the natives and are not given as many opportunities as the Native Americans.
As the government struggles with new realities of its multi-ethnic society, immigrants and asylum seekers have faced discrimination and violence by extremist groups. Unsystematic documentation or research over time makes it difficult t know the level of abuse (Giuliani, Tagliabue & Regalia, 2018). There is more than enough anecdotal evidence that indicates that human rights have been violated, widespread, and commonplace that they are explaining characteristics of international migration today. In addition, globalization among why there is migration in the first place. The unevenness of development between nations and therefore causes significant pressure for the movement of labor across various borders. The movement of labor benefits all countries. However, the acceptance of unrestricted movement of goods and capital without qualification, labor has the tendency of raising sensitive political and sociological challenges. Nevertheless, it is important to know that migration is difficult to be eliminated or controlled fully. Actually, with the increasing globalization, pressures of migration will increase. The challenge for the foreign community will be to handle the issue in a wider perspective of a coherent, human-centered, and human rights depending on the response to globalization.
Those who migrate to the United States of America illegally are exposing themselves to racism and xenophobic hostility. They are always vulnerable to such issues. They lack the legal status and this results in the reluctance of seeking police protection or access to justice. The illegal status also prevents them from participating in community self-organization, unionization, or other types of relationships to respond collectively to racism and to call for the stat’s support. In addition, it places them at a considerable risk of abuse when dealing with the state authorities especially where these are inadequately trained and supervised (Kampelmann & Rycx, 2016). There is a lack of transparency in immigration offices which leads to discrimination between nationalities. The detention of different nationalities will often tend to single out particular nationalities or ethnicities more than other nationalities. As much as these happen to them, some of them are hopeful and remain motivated that they will avoid controls of the border by hiding in the back of a ship or a car. Many of them do not have any other choice than using illegal entry increasingly through smugglers which might be against the claim of asylum. However, other immigrants are in the country legally although they face discrimination from their white counterparts.
Furthermore, their many unskilled immigrants and are associated with low status, inadequately regulated, or informal sectors of economic activity. They also work for long hours at low pay and do not enjoy access to benefits and other protections like other people. They are always at the lowest point of protection by workplace, safety, health, and low wages among other things (Midtbøen, 2016). When there are domestic unemployment increases and rising political tensions prompt the targeting of scapegoats. Many nations that need foreign labor force are only willing to accept them if they are working there temporarily, often to meet cyclical upturn standards in demand for labor. However, temporary status means an explicit lack of entitlements to mobility in the labor market or to gain entitlements that have benefits such as social security.
How they have resisted
In the criminal justice system, immigrants are perceived to be criminals and the media also continues to describe immigrants as especially crime-prone. They have often been described as terrorists. They have been able to resist all these through community and human rights programs who fight for their rights. They are entitled to equal treatment like their other counterparts (Lo & Cheng, 2018). It is essential to notice that human rights will only be attained through the wide cooperation of various countries and different religions. They are entitled to protection and good jobs. Through the promotion of respect for diversity and respect for multiculturalism and diversity, negative stereotypes have been able to help them relate well with other people and can apply great jobs to provide for their families.
In addition, promoting anti-discrimination measures at all levels helps in discouraging discriminatory remarks by those who are in power, responding to the requirements and issues associated to employment, labor, adequate healthcare, proper education, housing, police protection, social security, social protection, gender equality, access to supply of goods and services, and social benefits have helped immigrants acquire all these as they await to be in the country legally (Ayón, Valencia-Garcia & Kim, 2017). The governments are encouraged to elaborate comprehensive national anti-discrimination legislation encompassing provisions to forbid direct and indirect discrimination based on actual or assumed nationality and to ensure that there are justice and other remedies for foreigners. Using mass information campaigns also help potential and actual immigrants of their rights and how to migrate in a legal way. Also, holistic approaches have been supporting them to offer assistance regarding migration services in various countries and the need to recognize that they are also important in their way.
In conclusion, violation, and discrimination of immigrants and asylum seekers have been on the rise currently. The immigrants are vulnerable to xenophobic attacks and discrimination in terms of work, health, education, and housing among others. It is essential for community movements to fight for their rights and protect them from facing racial attacks. The governments are encouraged to protect them and give them proper documentation so that they can live in the country legally.
References
Ayón, C., Valencia-Garcia, D., & Kim, S. H. (2017). Latino immigrant families and restrictive immigration climate: Perceived experiences with discrimination, threat to family, social exclusion, children’s vulnerability, and related factors. Race and Social Problems, 9(4), 300-312.
Choi, D. D., Poertner, M., & Sambanis, N. (2019). Parochialism, social norms, and discrimination against immigrants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(33), 16274-16279.
Enoksen, E. (2016). Perceived discrimination against immigrants in the workplace. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal.
Giuliani, C., Tagliabue, S., & Regalia, C. (2018). Psychological well-being, multiple identities, and discrimination among first and second generation immigrant Muslims. Europe’s journal of psychology, 14(1), 66.
Goldman, B., Cooper, D., & Kugler, T. (2019). Crime and punishment: A realistic group conflict approach to racial discrimination in hiring convicted felons.
Kampelmann, S., & Rycx, F. (2016). Wage discrimination against immigrants: measurement with firm-level productivity data. IZA Journal of Migration, 5(1), 15.
Lo, C. C., & Cheng, T. C. (2018). Social status, discrimination, and minority individuals’ mental health: a secondary analysis of US National Surveys. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 5(3), 485-494.
Midtbøen, A. H. (2016). Discrimination of the second generation: Evidence from a field experiment in Norway. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 17(1), 253-272.