Since the time of the first immigrants to America, there have always been Native

Americans here too. They were here first. Of all the other ethnicities discussed during the course
and in the book, they have suffered the most. Traditionally, Native Americans have been viewed
as either those like Pocahontas or those portrayed in cowboy movies. In reality, there were many
different groups of Native Americans all over North America. In fact, there were over 600
different groups that spoke over 200 different languages. (Olson, James S.; Olson Beal, Heather
(2011-09-07). The Ethnic Dimension in American History (p. 18). Wiley. Kindle Edition.) There
were many different types of communities too. Some were nomads and chased the buffalo.
Others lived in villages and grew their own food.
When the first colonists came here life between them and the Native Americans was
fairly peaceful. They traded with each other and the colonists learned about the land from the
Native Americans. It didnt take very long for the colonists to want more; more land. Whites
wanted the land for themselves. That meant moving the Native Americans from their land. Land
they felt was sacred. This started the marginalization of the Native Americans and really of all
the other people in America that have been, and are marginalized. There has been a pattern in this
country for white America to put down others that come to this country, for many of the same
reasons the original colonists came here.
Whites thought that the Native Americans were primitive and stupid for not using the
land to its fullest potential. They did not understand that they did not want to strip the land but
live in harmony with the land. The colonists wanted to exploit the land and profit from it. Over
and over again Native Americans were pushed into other lands. Reservations were created for
them and that is where they were told they could live. This continued on through the 1900s.
Native Americans were not even given full U.S. citizenship until 1924.

(loc.gov/immigration/native American/United States Citizenship for the Native American)

Another group of people that have been greatly marginalized is the African Americans. First
brought here by the slave trade, many African Americans today can trace their ancestry to the
slaves brought here from Africa. African Americans look the most different from whites and
many of them speak very differently from white America. After slaves were freed, they were still
not treated as equals. Jim Crow laws made sure that they could not become independent or
receive the education they deserved,
Because African Americans were kept down and not allowed to receive an equal
education, they have had a difficult time breaking out of poverty. This is one way that African
Americans continue to be marginalized. They have not achieved equality in education, the lack
of education trickles down to children, grandchildren, etc. This is even after Sweatt v. Painter
opened the way for African Americans to benefit from a better education.
(Caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/339/629) There have been some African Americans that
have been able to break through the white walls and obtain a better education. They are middle
or upper class and have white collar, high paying jobs. Sadly, they still do not feel accepted by,
white societys unwillingness to accept them. (Olson, James S.; Olson Beal, Heather (2011-0907). The Ethnic Dimension in American History (pp. 259-260). Wiley. Kindle Edition.) Many
historians argue that slavery's legacy of social inequality has persisted in American society
even 130 years after the post-Civil War emancipation of slaves in the United States.
(Everyculture.com/African Americans/Acculturation and Assimilation)
Ultimately, that is the problem in the United States. There is a legacy of social and racial
inequality, mostly based on how a person looks. Immigrants will continue to come to America.

Those of us already here, need to learn to accept new cultures and ideas. We do not have to adopt
them, but we need to learn to live peacefully with them.