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Culturally Sensitive Assessment – Journal #2
Sharmin Moushumi
Professor Bomar
Columbia School of Social Work
August 2nd, 2021
Various audiences require mixed messages and resources in every communication or persuasion approach. When discussing race, discrimination, and racial justice, this is very crucial to keep in mind. We all know that individuals in different parts of the country have varied perspectives on racial justice challenges and are more or less inclined to discuss these topics. Other groups are unsure or inexperienced regarding anti-Black racism, native stereotypes, or strongly racial anti-immigrant views.
As a racialized American individual, I believe that our community has been sidelined in several vital decisions, and this bias has posed a challenge to us in numerous ways. Because of linguistic and cultural hurdles and restricted health insurance, Bangladeshi Americans frequently have a challenging time getting the health care they deserve. By implementing legislation that trains health practitioners, establishes English language learning initiatives, and sets communal health clinics, our lawmakers can remove these hurdles from the way forward. This initiative is a much-needed step to help bring equality to the country’s South Asian and other minority communities.
The US Census presently does not gather differentiated statistics on Asian groups since it concentrates on race rather than nationality (except for Latino people). While the Census Bureau has accepted the need to enhance record keeping on these societies, it officially confirmed in January 2018 that the census would include no Asian, Middle Eastern or North African classifications in the 2020 Census (Minority Rights Group, 2020). Given the significance of reliable statistics for public recognition, this move can be seen as a challenge by proponents for their incorporation. However, some society persons were cautious of these statistics being gathered.
South Asians have endured spikes in hate crimes regularly for decades now. Throughout and over a century of Asian immigration to the United States, there has remained a constant need to define, adapt, and reassess the community’s position. Asian Americans’ problems are part of a more comprehensive conversation about racial and hyphenated American cultures. As a direct consequence of the increased unfavorable widespread corporate and governmental scrutiny of Asian, the public attacks Americans of Middle Eastern and South Asian origin for acts of hate, assault, prejudice, racial bias, and economic devastation even on social media platforms.
I have once been racialized directly. I once went to the Bronx Zoo with my son and waited in line to go on a ride to see the wild animals. A white family just came in front of us suddenly and cut us off, and when I told the man that we were there first, he made this racist comment stating, “You guys are immigrants you belong in the back of the line.” It was so hurtful, and that is when I realized racism still exists in the United States! Additionally, I have indirectly suffered the impacts of discrimination through my friends. I have diverse friends from different parts of the world of varying races and ethnic identity. Racial discrimination is devastating, and the effects are traumatizing. This sentiment is true and cannot be overemphasized as it is evident across the American population and the uproar that accompanies these heinous acts of social injustice. For instance, the tragic circumstances that befell George Floyd and eventually leading to his demise. Floyd could be anyone; it could be me or anyone else in society. As social workers, we are responsible for spearheading the fight against social injustice that individuals continue to suffer in society.
As we work to enhance talks in our nation about race, racism, and racial justice, the context in which we speak appears to be altering all the time, indicating that these discussions are essential than ever. Racialized communities are rising against the social injustices they have suffered over the previous generations. Our government should put in place systems that enhance equality for all without bias. Racism is a concept that claims that one group is fundamentally superior to others, either explicitly or implicitly. It can be visible in racial insults, jokes, and hate crimes, but individuals can also hide it in mindsets, values, and stereotyped views. These beliefs are sometimes held unconsciously and have become firmly ingrained in systems and organizations that have developed over time. Racism manifests itself on several levels, including individual, structural, and social. As citizens of this country, we need to pull together and bring down the prejudice in our society.
References
Minority Rights Group. (2020, May 19). Asian Americans. https://minorityrights.org/minorities/asian-pacific-americans/