Final Reflexive Research Project

Student’s Name Professor’s Name Course Date Final Reflexive Research Project Introduction Ethnicity remains a hot-button issue for the United States of America (US) while shaping social and economic paradigms. The US struggles with immigrants from diverse ethnicities, racial, and national backgrounds, which conflict with national culture, beliefs, and heritage. As a result, the ethnicity issue transformed into a fundamental challenge for the American government, nationals, and institutions (Stefano and Fenn 1197). According to Kim, the US economy became a ‘great melting pot’ due to historical transformation in sociocultural facets. Immigrants from different countries and ethnicities visit the US for robust opportunities and lifestyle choices. However, immense immigration made ethnicity a hot button for locals and increased conflicts among societal segments (372). Hence, academic scholars should explore ethnicity issues from diverse paradigms to measure the severity and influence on the American culture. Guzman-Rosas argued that the Irish and Mexican Americans made the US a melting pot from sociocultural and ethnic perspectives. Lack of economic marginalization and social inclusivity increased discrimination, racism, and ethnic conflicts between foreign ethnic groups and Americans (1075). Hence, this thesis will explore the historical and modern paradigms leading to ethnicity issues for the Irish and Mexican American communities in the US boundary. The discussion will compare the impacts of ethnicity lapses on the two communities, followed by personal reflection to capture diverse perspectives. Ethnicity issues transformed the US soil due to significant factors and shifts in socioeconomic and cultural forces. Ethnicity Affecting Irish and Mexican American Members Irish and Mexican Americans have a robust migration history that influenced ethnic conflicts in the US. According to Elia, the two communities encountered racialized challenges in the US primarily due to religious beliefs and differences. Americans follow religious activities in a solidarity ecosystem, denying the potential entrance of cross-border virtues and values (572). The cross-border solidarity rejection triggered the ethnic conflict as a hot button inside the American borders. The primary conflict emerged with the Mexican Americans due to common borders, preventing the community from acquiring equal social opportunities as the White groups (Baker 25). Nonetheless, Kennedy found that the Irish community experienced ethnic racism in the US since the 19th century. Irish communities had significant conflicts with the catholic groups while practicing religion in harmony (424). However, the Irish community had a social advantage over the Mexican community due to skin color and mutual language. Irish immigrants differentiated the Americans mostly in religious parameters. The social and cultural aesthetics were mutual to formulate a sustainable connection between the two communities (Kennedy 426). Hence, ethnicity is a minimal challenge for Irish immigrants in the US. At the same time, Mexican Americans encounter continuous challenges from the hot-button issue. Changes in Ethnicity Issue: Influencing the Ethnic Group Ethnicity issues are distinct for the two communities in the US societal structure. Huang identified that ethnicity constraints reduced the Irish community with generational shifts. Irish immigrants married Spanish, Hispanics, and other minority communities to synergize the social presence and inclusivity in the US (511). Besides, some Irish immigrants also formulated families with White Americans due to racial and physical aesthetics. As a result, ethnicity in the Irish community was suppressed with changing generations. Irish community enjoys robust inclusivity in economic, social, and ecological developments in the US to exhibit acceptance (Huang 513). However, ethnic transformations for Mexican Americans remain a complex challenge in the US territory. The American community considers Mexican Americans as immigrants, having zero religious or cultural relevance with the US social structure (Statham and Foner 16). Instead, Mexican Americans trigger and influence political activities in the US, such as shifts in immigration laws and barriers to entry to prevent unlawful infiltration. Xenophobia remains a significant cause for ethnicity to become a hot-button issue in the US since locals deny the inclusivity of Mexican Americans regardless of social reforms (Statham and Foner 22). Present Situation The...