My group’s social issue topic is about immigration and ethnic group diversity so I chose to do an observation of my hometown, University Park, Illinois and how diverse it has grown to become in the last decade. This observation took place November 1-3, 2015 in the GSU cafeteria annex and local restaurants in U.P. I was able to speak with a few citizens who too have lived here just as long as I have. The people I was able to speak with were two Palestine siblings who study medicine here at Governors State University and a group of young African American boys who attend Crete Monee High School. (I will not be disclosing any names of these participants at their request.) Growing up I noticed University Park was mostly populated with African Americans
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They went on to explain to me that it was their parents who lived in The State of Palestine, Israel as children but migrated to America for “greater opportunities” in “the land of free”, how ironic. The siblings said they have faced more than a handful of prejudice and racism especially in their family owned convenient store P.K.’s Pantry in U.P. A common unpopular opinion that Americas have is immigration is the reason for the economic decline but it is those who have migrated here who have started the many businesses we use every day. My initial question for them was, how do they feel about society claiming it is immigrates and those of the ethnic groups who are the cause for our failing economic system but speaking with them opened my mind to a broader spectrum. I, myself, have experienced my fair share of prejudice but as a Palestine in America post 9/11 is obviously much harsher than my situation. Discrimination roots mostly from white supremacist who have preconceived notions that “white is right” and those who are different most be wrong so they force those beliefs and opinions on to people like the Palestine siblings and their family making it hard for them to live their lives peacefully. After speaking with the siblings I was able to learn about their family history and how it has affected them as well as how society’s ideas about them has affected
They went on to explain to me that it was their parents who lived in The State of Palestine, Israel as children but migrated to America for “greater opportunities” in “the land of free”, how ironic. The siblings said they have faced more than a handful of prejudice and racism especially in their family owned convenient store P.K.’s Pantry in U.P. A common unpopular opinion that Americas have is immigration is the reason for the economic decline but it is those who have migrated here who have started the many businesses we use every day. My initial question for them was, how do they feel about society claiming it is immigrates and those of the ethnic groups who are the cause for our failing economic system but speaking with them opened my mind to a broader spectrum. I, myself, have experienced my fair share of prejudice but as a Palestine in America post 9/11 is obviously much harsher than my situation. Discrimination roots mostly from white supremacist who have preconceived notions that “white is right” and those who are different most be wrong so they force those beliefs and opinions on to people like the Palestine siblings and their family making it hard for them to live their lives peacefully. After speaking with the siblings I was able to learn about their family history and how it has affected them as well as how society’s ideas about them has affected