Xenophobia

Xenophobia:

Fear (phobia) of strangers (xeno-) and of the unknown.
Both racism and homophobia are sometimes reduced to xenophobia. It is the dislike towards foreigners or representatives of a particular nation. The word Xenophobic is often used as a political insult against Racists, Isolationists, and Nationalists.

Racism

Racism, by definition is the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person’s social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics. Racial separatism is the belief, most of the time based on racism, that different races should remain segregated and apart from one another. This belief was, sometimes use to justified slavery and genocide. To racists, race is a group of people who have the same descent characteristics, such as skin colour, hair appearance and physiognomy.
Recent investigations say that ‘race’ é a made-up concept, that hasn’t any biologic base. The word ‘racism’ is used to describe aggressive or abusive behaviors from certain people towards others, by giving the excuse that they are an inferior race.
Another new concept of racism is ‘ethnic or cultural differentiation’ were some people claim that all people are equal, but shouldn’t mix themselves in order to preserve their cultural background.
In our society racism still happens even if mentality changes due to people’s selfishness.

If we look back in history, there are a few people who fought for human rights to equality, one of them was:
Martin Luther King – who fought for equal human right between back an white people. With his belief and speeches, he changed people’s way of thinking and accomplished the right ‘to be equal’.


* Sandy

Influence of stereotypes on kids

The media holds a great deal of influence on kids, mainly because of television. Children are the greatest target of television, and so it is only logical to assume that the stereotypes spread by mainstream television are adopted by them.
Regarding this facts, the only solution is a better education at home. Here are a few tips for parents:

• Deconstruct the "media reality." Talk with kids about the people behind the programs they watch. It can be an eye-opener for children to realize that TV shows, like books, are written and created by people with their own biases and experiences. When you watch a program with children, ask them to think about who created the show and whether they think the writers and producers really understood the types of people they are portraying or whether they're basing characters on preconceived notions about groups of people.
• Look closely at the characters children see. What messages do they send concerning race, gender, and roles? Voice your disapproval of stereotyped characters, and explain why you disapprove. Ask children to compare the images of race they see on television, with the people they know in real life. How are they different?
• Critique other media. Look at the ads for cars, clothing and sports equipment in newspapers, magazines and billboards. Talk to your child about how the product is glamorized and which audiences are targeted. Who is represented in these ads as the consumer? Why are certain ethnic groups linked to certain products? Take a look at running shoe ads, for example. Why are Black athletes often portrayed "shooting hoops" and goofing around the gym, while white athletes are shown doing serious training?

Leonardo

How do people legally immigrate into the United States?

Almost a million people legally immigrated into the U.S. in 2004 under qualifying categories:

--> Employment-based preference is a category that permits a limited number of individuals who has job skills which are in order by the economy. In 2002, this group was dominated by persons with computer and engineering skills.

--> Family preference is a category that allows individuals to support a limited number of relatives (adult children of U.S. citizens, wife and children of immigrants, and siblings of citizens).

--> An immediate relative of U.S. Citizens is a category that allows citizens to support an unlimited number of small children, wifes, and parents. This has been the largest category.

--> Diversity is a category authorized by recent legislation which authorizes a limited number of individuals to immigrate based on past under-representation in the immigrant population.

--> Refugees/Asylees are admitted on a limited basis, based on political and humanitarian reasons. The maximum numbers vary year-to-year based on Presidential determinations.

Stephanie

Disadvantages of immigration

-->Greater poverty Because immigrants occupy low income employment, their wages are low
and they are more affected by downturns in the economy. In comparison to natives, they tend not to have health insurance and need to resort to public assistance more often.


-->More educational costs Immigrant children and the children of immigrants account for a disproportionate amount of public education costs than do natives due to the greater birth rate for Hispanics and need for more intensive instruction. Immigrants have significantly lower educational attainment than do natives. But the children of Latino immigrants have educational levels which approach that of natives and by the third generation virtually all are fluent in English and only a minority speak any Spanish.


-->Lower unskilled wage levels Even studies that suggest that immigrants generate an overall increase in wage levels, acknowledge that they negatively impact wages in the low skill occupation sectors that they occupy.


-->Increased danger of terrorism Some argue that the continued ability of illegal immigrants to enter the country increases the threat of domestic terrorism. In reality, the threat is minimal. The known dangers associated with terrorism all involve Islamic individuals. Islam is not prominent in Mexico or other Central American countries. There are undoubtedly cooperative intelligence arrangements between the U.S. and Mexico designed to monitor the small threat that Islamic individuals who live in or enter Mexico might present.

Stephanie

Advantages of immigration

--> Greater supply of unskilled workers Studies have indicated that because most immigrants occupy low-paying, low-skill jobs, their presence is complementary. Because of their contributions, the overall economy is stronger and the wage level and standard of living of most native workers is higher than would exist if they were not present. In particular, the high concentration of undocumented workers in the agricultural industry keep food prices relatively low.

--> A younger workforce The ratio of retired persons to workers will dramatically increase in coming decades which will require significant adjustments in the Social Security system. (See Social Security) Immigrants and their children tend to be younger than natives. As a result, continued or greater immigration will slow the increase of this important ratio.

--> Skilled workers in needed sectors Immigrants who arrive under the "employment preference" category often are employed in occupations which are important. For example, 20% of U.S. doctors are foreign born. But critics of immigration policy note that this is because the supply of native doctors is kept artificially low and that these doctors are probably even more essential to their native countries.

Stephanie

Stereotypes of African Americans

Blacks are often portrayed as athletic, religious, poor, musically talented, or criminals.
In early American history, the primary reason that Africans were in the colonies was as enslaved laborers transported by the slave trade.
The early stereotype for an African was of an ignorant man, so the slavers believed that they were only good for a more manual labour. Feeding them, and giving them a bed to sleep was their payment, in an attempt to civilize them.

Leonardo