Personal Interview of Persons from a Different Minority Group
Personal Interview of Persons from a Different Minority Group
Minority groups abound in the United States and in other countries of the world. Since these groups of people from diverse cultural, ethnic, or racial orientation decide to co-exist with the dominant social group, some perceived inequalities in access to resources, human rights, and criminal justice treatments were reported to be observed. The current discourse aims to present the outcome of interviews on two persons, both males, from different minority group: one person was Asian American (Filipino) and the other was African American. For purposes of adhering to ethics in research and interviews, no personal information would be disclosed to abide by privacy and confidentiality laws.
The interview questions are as follows: (1) what are your views and perceptions as a member of a minority group in America? (2) How are you treated in terms of access to resources and opportunities, human rights, and criminal justice treatments? (3) What do you think are the factors that contribute to apparent inequality in criminal justice treatments to minority groups? (4) What measures can be done to address these inequality in the criminal justice process?
As a member of the minority group, I honestly feel that I am discriminated on at times; especially in the way Whites allegedly perceive Filipinos as subservient and below the social level of Americans. There have been news of Filipino nurses being discriminated in the work place for talking in our native tongue, despite being well-versed in English as our second language. In terms of being treated unfairly when apprehended for minor infractions with the police (traffic violations or complaints from neighbors), I believe that when compared to an American, the justice system would be skewed to favor Americans more than members of the minority group. The factors that could apparently contribute to the inequality include the stereotyped belief that Americans are better; that minority groups are lesser educated; and that members of minority groups are perceived to be more preponderant to commit crimes due to their lower social class status. I think it would be challenging and difficult to address these inequality since it has been deeply ingrained and continuous to pervade the criminal justice system despite apparent obvious reviews and trends of discrimination.
Responses of African American (Black/African)
Experience and observation from peers have shown that we are still being treated as second-class citizens in America. People still continue to judge us based on color. Thus, access to education, employment opportunities, and treatment in the criminal justice system are believed to be discriminatory. I am convinced that the factors that contribute to the inequality include past behavior or stereotyping. Most law enforcement officers have a pre-set conviction that Blacks are prone to criminal behavior due to the upbringing, lower social status, low performance in school, and inability to sustain a good job. Honestly, I think it would be difficult to change the system. The way Americans have actually treated minority groups, despite laws and policies for equality, remained the same.
Analysis of Findings
