Post Reading Questions Week 3

I think what Hattam is trying to say is that we need to stop looking at the race and ethnicity factors and focus on the bigger problems of society. It’s almost like why does everyone have to look at everything in a racial perspective and not a “just regular human perspective.” In addition though, Hattam says “we must remain alert, and seek to change, the ways in which ethnic privilege has long been secured by defining ethnicity against race.” How I look at that quote is ethnicity is looked at more highly than race, but most times when you look a person you only see their race, or you assume what race they are based on physical characteristics, and because of that, it has caused chaos among the two categories.  Agreeing with the statement Hattam makes, I believe the ignorance people have about the differences between race and ethnicity and how they are defined cause those problems of ethnic privilege staying the way they were back then and now. Looking at cultural practices in terms of defining ethnicity can be more exciting because you are learning how people view the world. Then, when you look at the physical aspects of a person, often assumptions can be made immediately about their background and where they come from, do they look rich or poor based on clothing, accessories, shoes, etc. It is at that point, I think when the term race becomes something of not the much status. For example, if you look at someone and think they are Mexican because they have darker skin, then you look at them again and assume they are an immigrant. Next, you look at someone of light skin tone and you think they are white and they have money because they are wearing a coach bag. In reality though, they are of the same status financially, because of the term race, the physical appearance between these two people has caused you to look at them in different perspectives. Basically, I see race as a more negative term and ethnicity as something to embrace, and I feel that Hattam tries to distinguish some of those issues by the quote he makes, especially in terms of “defining ethnicity against race.”

As for Flores, he offers three approaches for identifying a Latino community.

1.       Demographics- referring to the number count where people come from.

2.       Analytical- the constructed terms that come out, i.e. immigration, labor market

3.       Imaginary- your personal identification, cultural practices, shared memories, etc.

I think it is important to look at these three areas because this is the foundation of identifying the Latino community. You have to look at where people came from, what they are called by people, and what they call themselves. Once people understand that not everyone is Mexican, or likes the term Hispanic, the quicker society can have happier people and a more diverse country.

Word Count: 484