Race in my Community

This group encourages unity among minority members in the area. Established in 1988, they offer networking opportunities and capabilities, community assistance programs, and seminars with the purpose of promoting economic development (Delmarva business, n.d.). Due to the self segregated society, there are many inequalities in the community. I would like to resolve the segregation and racism. I do not understand why we can not all live side-by-side and get along with one another. We are, after all, all people. I know it is not really possible but I would like to move everyone around. I would move African-Americans, Hispanics, Whites, come-heres and been-heres into the same neighborhoods to live together. The community could provide conferences about race and understanding cultural differences. They could start programs to promote tolerance and acceptance. I would really like to see these things in my community and neighborhood.

I interviewed community business leader Steven Mixter on many of these issues. When asked how he felt community leaders treated different minority and majority groups he responded “the perception is someone of a different race is treated differently, but, I see no evidence of that”. He feels, as I do, community leaders in Salisbury are Fair and unbiased. He feels the local media does not share his views and rather than reporting fact they tend to heir on the side of political correctness. He finds this to be less than accurate and comprehensive. When asked if minority groups and their interests are represented in our community he responded with a firm yes. He also feels our community is behind the times. People still carry prejudice and practice segregation. In all, he feels people here are treated in accordance with there actions. People who follow the law, work hard and respect others are treated with respect and kindness while those who do not behave appropriately are treated as such. He says “it all boils down to behavior”, (S. Mixter, personal communication, May 20, 2006).

In my racially and socially segregated community, race relations are very poor. Minorities do not seem to get equal education, even if it is due to poor home life. More minorities are poor and unemployed than majority groups. More minorities are committing crimes, sometimes violent crimes. Our Hispanic population is growing rapidly, much faster than the growth of their resources. Community leaders seem to be fair and unbiased. Unfortunately, this does not seem to rub off onto Salisbury residents and our local media seems only to make matters worse. Race relations between the residents of my community have a long way to go, even just to catch up with the rest of the country.