Puerto Rico

What is culture? By definition, culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. In my definition, culture is a group you are a part of in your heart and mind, people that you relate to in several ways. Family culture is a big part of most people’s lives as they are growing up. My mother and father are both Puerto Rican and I grew up with their families’ culture. They have many different traditions that I participated in growing up. Puerto Rico is a caribbean Island filled with green mountains, waterfalls, and tropical rainforests known for their white-sand beaches, coral reefs, beach bars, nightclubs and casinos. Tourist activities include, snorkeling, diving, surfing, and sailing. I’ve never visited Puerto Rico myself, being the only one in the family who hasn’t..

I don’t really feel like a part of the Puerto Rican culture since I feel so different from my family. Most times as a child I felt very left out and like I did not belong. A major difference between me and my family is that I am a vegetarian, and most traditional Puerto Rican dishes include meat; carne (beef) and pollo (chicken), jamon (pork) are main parts of many traditional Puerto Rican meals. Every holiday at my grandmother’s house was spent sitting alone in the back room so I could avoid being asked about why I’m not eating and getting judged and picked apart for not eating meat.

Another difference is that I am the worst Spanish speaker in my family, so I felt left out from a lot of their conversations growing up since I didn’t start speaking Spanish until recent years. Majority of my family are very religious church goers. They are avid followers of the Roman Catholic religion as most Puerto Ricans are. My mom did not baptise me as a child like all of my aunts and uncles baptised their children. I never was a part of that religion and it was weird for me as a child since I never went to church or practiced it.

My grandmother would say prayers and talk about the bible and god and this would be very confusing and awkward for me since I never went to Sunday school like the rest of my cousins did.

Puerto Rican traditions are very interesting. One tradition that is celebrated every year is Christmas. On Christmas the whole family is supposed to be together. There is food, games, and presents. But one fun tradition that is done in Puerto Rico is las parrandas which are Christmas carols sung early in the morning to wake up sleeping family members. In Puerto Rico Christmas is celebrated for a very long time.

Festivities start in November and end in January when the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián. Puerto Ricans who are very religious, believe in the Three Wise Men who brought Jesus gifts when he was born. So by tradition, instead of Santa Claus bringing children gifts, the Three Wise Men bring the children gifts. Puerto Ricans also celebrate La Noche de St. John in addition to their Christmas festivities. People go to the beach that night and flip backwards into the ocean. This tradition is believed to rid people of their sins and of all bad luck. It is accompanied by dance, music, and food.

Although I’ve always felt left of as a child from my family’s traditions after research I found many interesting and fun things that Puerto Ricans do that I would enjoy myself. The Puerto Rican culture is rich and I am proud to be a part of it even though most of my life I haven’t been an avid part of this culture.

Axia college of university of phoenix| Final Project: Analyze a Sociological Issue| SOC 120 | | | February 15, 2009| Project: Analyze a Sociological Issue In this course you have learned about many different kinds of social problems and controversial issues in societies around the world and in the United States, such as poverty, social inequality, race and cultural discrimination, gender stratification, environmental damage, population growth, and urbanization. ? Due Date: Day 7 [post to the Individual forum] ?? Write a 1,750- to 2,450-word paper examining the impact of a current social problem on a particular social group. You may choose a social problem and social group from the Suggested Social Problems and Social Groups List in Appendix A, or you can research a social problem and social group that is not in the list. However, if you choose your own, you will need to submit a request to the instructor by Week 4. ?? Format the paper according to APA style.

Cite 3 to 5 sources; at least two should come from the Online Library. You can also refer to the Recommended Web Sites list in the Electronic Resources section at the beginning of this syllabus for additional sources. Note: Sources other than those from the Online Library or the Recommended Web Sites list need to be approved by the instructor. Submit the paper as an attachment| Racial Discrimination and Hipics in the United States Even though the population of Hipic People is growing in the United States, the Hipic People are still somewhat discriminated against.

Growing up in the South West, I have seen many changes in Race and its role in the community I live in. Recent growth in immigration from Mexico has brought about many different feelings and faces to this community. Phoenix, Arizona has become a place of much racial diversity and racial tensions. Hipic cultures are a prevalent part in Arizona and the Mexican people have become a major part of Arizona politics, I was talking with a Postal Delivery Person and he stated that most new occupants are of Hipic Descent, and this trend seems to be on the rise.

In this community the white race is still predominate but change will come in as the Hipic Peoples will become more predominate than white, English speaking people, soon I will have to speak two languages, which in my case, I do. Conventional wisdom holds that Latin America is a highly discriminatory society. “Understanding the extent of such discrimination and exploring the channels through which it operates deserve special attention”. (Alberto Chong,  Hugo Nopo). (2008). Racial discrimination is a term used to describe unruly or unfair behavior afflicted on individuals based on their race.

Historically, racism existed from ancient times, one particular race always tried to exert its supremacy over the others resulting in a concept known as racial discrimination. “Before I go any further, we need to know what makes up Hipic America”. Mexican Americans: Mexican Americans have become a part of American and have given America much to brag about; through a growing political presence the Mexican community has brought a culture that is rich in heritage which is a vital part of modern America. Mexican Americans have attained socioeconomic and linguistic assimilation as well as legal status.

Most are in pursuit of the American Dream of freedom and financial release. Dominican Americans: The native language of Dominicans is Spanish with English being a second language, many Dominicans hold fast to the Dominican Republic as their homeland and many Dominicans migrate back to their country where they were born. Immigration issues abound in this culture, many Dominicans come to America illegally by way of Puerto Rico; Dominicans enjoy living the American dream with the American culture already understood by many before they come to America. Puerto Rican Americans: Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States and has its own

Constitution, Legislature and Governor, all subject to United States Executive Authority. English is taught in schools in Puerto Rico but Spanish is the primary language, due to Commonwealth status, all Puerto Ricans are American Citizens (considered migrants versus immigrants), much is debated in the political arena, with may advocating for full United States statehood and those who wish for complete independence from the United States. Cuban Americans: Many Cuban Americans have come to the United States through political exile, and many have settled in Miami, Florida and a significant number living throughout the United States.

The Cuban American, coming to America, in Miami, have created a type of reverse assimilation into American culture, bringing about the terminology known as reverse acculturation, where the residents in Miami have accepted political dominance as well as the economic impact Cuban Americans have on this geographical area. From humble beginnings, earlier generations viewed as lower forms of society, worked hard and obtained citizenship that proved the resiliency of this Hipic American.

Religion has played a major role in most Hipic American culture; the Roman Catholic Church has influenced many Hipic Americans but a trend to move away from the Catholic Church, with many Hipic Americans becoming Protestant, most being Baptist. At any case, Most Hipic Americans are Religious, and this influences many in today’s Hipic American culture. One would think that modern society would have learned how to cope with racial discrimination and especially with Hipics and all the contributions that this Ethnic Group has given to the United States.

As American society’s diverse population grows in the next Century the Hipic Population will continue to grow as well as contribute to our Nation’s economy and society. Hipic Americans have become a part of America, and have given America much to brag about; through a growing political presence the Hipic community has brought a culture that is rich in heritage which is a vital part of modern America. Hipic Americans have attained socioeconomic and linguistic assimilation as well as legal status. Most are in pursuit of the American Dream of freedom and financial release.

In America’s case racial discrimination is a reality among Native Americans, African Americans, Hipic Americans and other immigrant groups and in spite of the ethnic growth throughout America over the past 30 years, racial minority groups like Hipics continues to struggle for full Equal Rights. Hipic or Latin Americans make up 12. 5 percent of America’s population, but Hipics always have been considered a minority group and continue to be discriminated against in the work place as well as seeking accommodation and gaining other public services.

Since 911 things have gotten worse in states that border Mexico, for anyone with darker colored skin, according to National Catholic Reporter, “At Ray Carrillo’s welding yard in El Paso, Texas, neighbors talk about the Guard. They also talk about citizen militias like the Minutemen–a local one is called the Border Regulators–that have appeared. And they talk about the sheriff, who has detained more than 800 undocumented persons at roadblocks and turned them over to the Border Patrol. Deputies even asked U. S. citizens who looked Mexican to present papers, according to residents who say they were asked.

In late October deputies confronted shop owner Jose Rodriguez, who had posted a handwritten sign in Spanish on his property warning neighbors of a renewed roadblock. Rodriguez’s wife, Maria, said the family now felt “threatened. ” A deputy had called for backup and more patrol cars arrived, according to the couple. “Now I am going to be here seven days a week,” they said the deputy insisted. When Rodriguez complained, “You’re going to break my business,” a deputy said, “We’re going to be here until you close your business,” according to the couple”. McConahay, M. J. (Nov 17, 2006). Hipic residents wonder if they’re friend or foe). As National security is a concern to every American Citizen, “including Hipic Americans” We must differentiate between enemy and friend. In Maricopa County, the County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas have enforced immigration laws and created a task force that targets illegal aliens and those who hire them and is of much debate among the Hipic community in Arizona.

The key racial issue in this area is illegal immigration and the effect this problem has had on violent crime in Maricopa County and rising crime in my neighborhood. According to a Maricopa County Attorney News Release, (October 2, 2008), “An analysis of all defendants sentenced for felonies in 2007 in Maricopa County Superior Court shows 18. 7% to in the United States illegally. Factoring in a random sample of those whose immigration status was initially unknown and later determined to be illegal, the study finds that number rises to 21. %”. This has a direct effect on me and those who are close to me because, it is not known if we should plan to defend our property and make it more secure. With increased problems due to increased migration from Mexico and other countries throughout Mexico, I may be forced to move to a different area where I and my family will feel more secure. The media in the Maricopa County area has different views on the issue of illegal immigration and the so called Illegal Immigration Round-Ups.

With most of the media taking the safe route, there are a few that speak out against the County Attorney and the County Sheriff, claiming both are bias and use racial profiling as a means of locating illegal aliens in these Round-Ups. All of these statistics have a profound effect upon the Hipic American community, when racial profiling continues even when the Hipics of the United States have been here longer than many other racial groups, the law needs to reconsider how they move forward with security, and what many consider harassment.

We can see this during World War II, when America viewed Japanese victories in the Russo-Japanese War reinforced the belief that the Western World was facing a yellow peril. For two decades, after the Russo-Japanese War many Americans believed that a United States war with Japan was inevitable. The image of the yellow peril was mirrored for Americans by the writings of various authors, newspaper editors, columnists, and movies in which Orientals were portrayed as sinister villains engaged in activities of vengeance and treachery.

Many Japanese Americans were subjected to concentration camps in Arizona and throughout the Western United States. If American society does not take into account what happened during these dark years of World War II, we may see issues with Hipics in America being forced to live in certain areas consigned to the Hipic Community due to boarder tensions with Mexico and Latin Americas. According to the racial discrimination act, it is illegal to discriminate people in the areas of public life on the basis of their race.

These areas include employment, housing accommodation, real estate buying, and provision of goods and services, accessing public places, using public transportation services and in advertising. Under this act, even an offensive or abusive behavior or language that is based on racial vilification is prohibited. In my opinion, it is difficult to accurately measure prejudice in America but to a certain degree, yes, prejudice can be measured. When I say “to a certain degree”; one cannot know for certain if the person is totally prejudiced against another race.

My preference for people of my ethnic background does not make me prejudice. I believe the human race as a whole comes from one blood, but for some reason has taken on the different characteristics we now see in the diverse human race. Racial Tensions as well as Prejudice against those who have come to America in the last century have excelled for no apparent reason as we that make up modern America, that came to this beautiful country at one time or another, many racial groups have faced prejudice such as the Irish and Italian immigrants, African Americans, and the list goes on and on.

It seems as though wherever human society is, there will always be discrimination against some group or groups. I believe we as American Citizens must come together (especially in these tough economic times) and create a wonderful diverse America, where “everyone” can be proud of the American flag and the land of the free as our ancestors who migrated to America did. Reference (s): Axia College of University of Phoenix (2008). Chapter One Through Sixteen, Society: The Basics, Eighth Edition by John J. Macionis (2006).

Retrieved February 15, 2009, from Axia College, Week Six reading, SOC 120 Introduction to Sociology aXcess Web site. Axia College of University of Phoenix (2008). Racial and Ethnic Groups, Tenth Edition. Retrieved Feburary 15, 2009, from Axia College, Week Six reading, ETH 125 Cultural Diversity aXcess Web site. Alberto Chong,  Hugo Nopo. (2008). The Mystery of Discrimination in Latin America/Comments. Economia, 8(2), 79-115. Retrieved February 13, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1579566311). McConahay, M. J. (Nov 17, 2006).

Hipic residents wonder if they’re friend or foe. National Catholic Reporter, 43, 5. p. 7 (2). Retrieved February 15, 2009, from General OneFile via Gale: http://find. galegroup. com/ips/start. do? prodId=IPS Maricopa County Attorney News Release, October 2, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2009 from: http://www. mcaodocuments. com/press/20081002_a. pdf Information about Hipic Americans Retrieved Feburary15, 2009 from the following Web site (s): http://www. topuertorico. org/people. shtml http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Cuban_American http://www. mexicanamericans. com