African American students on college campuses often face racial discrimination and racism, which can create internal tension and a sense of hopelessness due to societal standards. Ethnicity, primarily a social phenomenon, involves shared language, values, and beliefs and can change across generations through intermarriage and shifting social categories.
African American students experience "racial discrimination and racism, along with the "ethnic" developments of
finding others who share their background (Waters, 1990)".
Societal standards is the battle of being separated from their confront zone which creates a sense of hopelessness.
Existing in a different environment can create tension from within.
Symbolic Ethnicity
"Who your ancestors are does
affect your choice of spouse, where you live, what job you have, who your
friends are, and what your chances are for success in American society (Waters, 1990)".
Creates conflict with other ethnicity groups based history repeating itself
Mostly benefits Americans who are white with the "European origin (Waters, 1990)".
What is ethnicity?
Oftentimes, individuals change their minority group "across generations through intermarriage, changing allegiances, and changing social categories (Waters, 1990)".
An individuals language, value, beliefs, and social interactions can play a role throughout ethnicity.
To be a part of a specific population
who share similar societal backgrounds. " Ethnicity is primarily a social phenomenon, not a biological one (Waters, 1990)".
Conclusion
The cycle of historical events continues to duplicate itself in different forms such as black college students being racially profiled within a university that they attend, experiencing racism, and inequality.
Individuals tend to change their ethnic groups.
Superiority was created based on symbolic ethnicity.
Research questions
What is the outcome of African American students being more educated about the white American history, while white students have a limited amount of knowledge of black history?
In what ways does symbolic ethnicity play a role in inequality, racism, and stereotypes?
How are the experiences of African American college students different from white students?
