Whites Only

In this reading, Mary C. Waters explains, six different aspects, ethnic identity for whites in the 1990s, the ethnic miracle, symbolic ethnicities for white Americans, race relations and symbolic ethnicity, relations on college campuses, and institutional responses. Ethnic identity for whites in the 1990s states, ethnicity is a social phenomenon, not a biological one. Whites are able to claim an ethnicity if they chose so, or they could just be white. Whites are the majority groups, who have the most power. The ethnic miracle explains, by the 1990s most European-origin ethnic groups in the United States were composed of a very small number of immigrants, and a very large amount of people whose link to their ethnic origins in Europe was increasingly remote. However, many white still report their ethnic background. Symbolic Ethnicities are white Americans states, these activities are essential for family traditions, and are reinforced throughout generations. Also, white are able to chose and ethnicity that corresponds with some element of their family tree. Race relations and symbolic ethnicity explains, ethnicity may not matter for whites, but it does matter for non-Whites. If you are not white, your ethnicity determines where you live, who your friends are, what job do you have, and your chances for success in the American Society. Relations on College Campuses states, when kids reached the age eighteen, they are able to go out and find their identity. When students interact in college, and come from different ethnic backgrounds, they are able to learn from one another. However, many black students felt isolated on their campus, for the whites were from upper-middle class suburbs. Institutional Response explains, people from different backgrounds should be brought together.