Race and Ethnicity : the Difference Essay

American society is focused so much on acknowledging differences and creating social divisions and categories, they hardly ever address similarities and possible race equalizers. African Americans along with other races have been categorized due to distinctions in their facial features as well as hair texture and skin tones. The irony of it all is that, America is supposed to be a place of equality and opportunity, yet it is seen to be the total opposite to many of the races who need the equality and opportunities. As an African American male I have been at every angle if racism. I have dealt it out and received it four times fold. Through school, dating and courting, raising children of my own, and simple tasks, like driving to work early in the morning in a rental car, I have seen my share racial and ethical stigmas and stereotypes. From getting pulled over for being the only vehicle on the street at 4 in the morning, to not being able to date a girl I liked a lot because her father’s opinion of me â€Å"seeming† like trouble. And yes all these instances influence my life in many ways, from the way I have raised my children, to the route I take to work, the racially focused incidents affect my everyday life. But why does race or ethnicity matter so much anyways? Why doesn’t class make more of a difference on how a person is judged? When people look at class, they still break it down into racial and ethical categories. Regardless of is I were to be the highest of the upper class, or just in the top of the middle class, I am still thought of as a black male first and then my money taken into consideration depending on the situation. The one time I can recall my money was taken into consideration, it was still in reference to my ethnicity. I was paying a ticket, which my son had received simply because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I was at the courthouse to pay this large ticket, and came with cash in hand. The cashier looked at me with a confused face, so I asked her what she was questioning. She responded, with the same look persisting on her face,† Most people cannot pay this ticket, and usually sit it out. How are you able to afford this?† I did not reply, just simply took my receipt and went on with my day. I few days later, I received another notice saying I had not paid the ticket and a warrant would be issued in the next week if it was not paid. I went back to the courthouse, receipt in hand, and got everything cleared up quickly. They needed more information. They wanted to verify my job and source of income and sorts, just digging into my personal life, wanting to know how I could afford to pay such a ticket for my son. This situation I felt was racially skewed and something I feel would have never happened had I been a white man, never the less had my son been a white young boy. Life throws curve-balls and I understand that I cannot catch them all. I wish there was a way to discern whether they are truly just situational or racial. But regardless of if I could really tell or not, they would still happen and I would still have to deal with them simply. America is so focused on differences, no one is seen as possibly being equal in any measurement and that keeps the country stuck in a mindset. This mindset being: Life not fair. Deal with it.