The Role That Ethnicity And Race Play In The Development Of Conflict (Essay Sample)

Ethnic and Race Relations
Name
Institution of Affiliation
Course
Ethnic and Race Relations
Introduction
Whenever different races and ethnic groups interact, there are bound to be conflicts. These tensions are exacerbated and even made more worse when these groups are forced to co-habit in close proximity of both multi-ethnic and racial societies. The inherent differences in cultures and customs are usually a source of heated conflict between these related groups. This paper seeks to determine the relationship between conflict and ethnic relations. It seeks to understand the role that ethnicity and race play in the development of conflict.
Objectives
To determine the causes of conflict when different races and ethnicities co-habit.
To determine the role ethnicity and race play in the development of conflict.
To determine the causes of raciale and ethnic discrimination in the society.
Approach and Methods
The approach involves the study of a wide range of literature to understand the intricacies of ethnicity- and race-related conflict among co-habitating groups. Journals, historical notes, and case studies concerning ethnic and race relations are reviewed. Qualitative research and qualitative data on how different races and ethnicities have lived together, the conflicts they experienced, and the causes and resolutions of these conflicts are analyzed. The data to be analyzed was collected through interviews and questionnaires distributed between the different ethnicities and races in the society. By these means, this paper determines the role of race and ethnicity in conflict development in a multi-racial and multi-ethnic society.
Hence to facilitate a conclusive research process, data analysis will be used to examine etnic and race relations. By taking a glance on how different races and ethnicities have have lived together, the conflicts they have endured and the causes of these conflicts, this paper will be able to determine the role of ethnicity and race in conflict management both in a multi-racial and multi-ethnic society.
Hypotheses
A multi-racial society experiences many conflicts due to the presence of different races and racial prejudices.
Ethnicity can be a source of conflict in a society in which more than one ethnic group lives.
Traditions and religious customs can be a source of conflict in multi-racial and multi-ethnic societies.
Assimilation is a successful method of quelling racial and ethnic conflicts and restoring peaceful racial and ethnic relations.
Literature Review
Even before the founding of the United States of America, ethnic and race relations have always been mired in endless conflict. Some ethnicities and races still harbor feelings of hatred and discrimination against some racial and ethnic minorities. One of the greatest instances of ethnic-based conflict is the conflict between the immigrant groups that migrated to America and the native Indians (Marger 64). Upon their arrival, the migrants who came from all over Europe looked for land to settle, which led to their interaction with the native Indians. Being the indigenous inhabitants of North America, these Indians were faced with a threat to their sovereignty and independence. Needless to say, the coming of these Europeans also challenged their dominance.
However, the coming of these groups of people was not the main source of conflict. The native Indians were a highly traditional ethnic group, and they cherished their traditions and customs, particularly concerning land. The Native Indians believed in communal living and even owned land communally (Marger 253). The disregard for these traditions and cultures by the immigrants was the main source of conflict. Being an amalgamation of different cultures and traditions, these groups had no culture of their own and in this case they eneded up disregarding the Indian culture in general. Their perception of the native Indians as an ethnic group that needed “saving” from their own ethnic savagery sparked ethnic conflict between these groups. Religion also played an essential role in the conflicts between the native Indians and the European immigrants (Marger 179). Largely of a Christian faith, the European immigrants viewed the native Indians as superstitious heathens who believed in the power of spirits. This disregard for their customs and cultural heritage only fueled the fire of conflict.
The boom of the slave trade all over the world also highlights a key point insofar as ethnic and racial relations are concerned. Racial and ethnic prejudices are a constant source of conflict. Many of the young men and women who were abducted from Africa and other nations to be sold as slaves suffered from the racial prejudices of their enslavers (White 140). Being looked down upon as lesser human beings simply because they were of a different race or ethnicity was a source of conflict. For example, the slave trade in the United States was a manifestation of racial prejudice. The black slaves were whipped, abused, and made to work like animals. They were discriminated against because of their race. The racial prejudice of the slavers was evidenced by the fact that they rarely took white people as slaves. Hence to facilitate a conclusive research process, data analysis will be used to examine etnic and race relations.The abduction of young men and women from their homes indicated a complete disregard for their sovereignty and independence. It led to the black slaves’ developing a bitter hatred for white people (White 220). The consequences of this hatred have been manifested in the endless conflicts between blacks and whites in post-slave-trade America. Tendencies of racial superiority among the whites have been the principal source of conflict. The effects are yet to be completely eradicated, even in modern- day America. Some members of the black community still hate the white community and vice versa.
The Holocaust also manifested the strains of multi-ethnic relations. The killing of millions of Jews by the Nazis was the culmination of years of hatred and contempt. The discrimination against the Jews by Nazi forces and supporters was the result of poor racial and ethnic relations between the Nazis and the Jews (FriedlaМ€nder 183). The inability of the Jews to forego their religious customs and traditions and conform to the German society led to the development of hatred and discrimination. Poor ethnic and racial relations were fueled by prejudices and condescending attitudes on the part of both groups.
Assimilation has frequently been touted as viable means to solving the problem of poor ethnic and racial relations. In some cases, the method works, while in others it fails terribly (White 170). For instance if it works, it has been found to both eradicate and enhance a conclusive research process. Data analysis will be used to examine ethnic, race relations, racial prejudices and stereotypes. However, if it fails it can cause further division and disparity among certain different races and ethnicities. Some scholars also suggest that the lack of appreciation for racial and ethnic diversity is the reason for poor racial and ethnic relations. They argue that having the ability to accept different races and ethnicities as groups with different viewpoints and cultures will reduce the chances of racial disparity occurring (Marger 312). They affirm that the failure to accept these individual groups as unique will only result race and ethnic relations declining even further.
Evidence on Alternative Solutions
Being the main methods fronted to quell ethnic and racial conflicts, assimilation has worked and as well failed. One of the prime examples of the success of this approach is with the Native American Indians. The immigrants used religion and education as their key weapons in overcoming the challenges posed by the indigenous tribes to land ownership and the formation of a united nation. By taking their children to school and converting them to Christianity, they were able to assimilate the younger generation into their culture. Eventually, Native American Indian customs such as communal ownership of property and land were eradic...