คนเลือดผสมในอเมริกา

Abstract

Abstract in Thai unavailable

Being The Mixed Race People in America

The words .mixed race, biracial and multiracial9 are used to describe people descended from ancestors of many races.

Mixed race people are socially treated as .marginal people.9 On one hand, they are forced to blend in one of the two cultures. On the other hand, they are pushed away from both. Racial prejudice and discrimination from society make them see themselves as devalued group, causing them to change their interracial interaction patterns and redefine themselves for survival in the society.

Basically, mixed race people have 4 stages to deal with racial prejudice: stage1-- mentally defusing the threat by avoiding physical harm and deliberate ignoring; stage 2-- avoiding or escaping from the threatening situation; stage -- tackling the situation directly; and stage 4-- taking steps to minimize the effects of racism, e.g., by excelling themselves in school or at jobs.

Gaining membership in a subculture group and redefining themselves become another strategy for the mixed race people that can save them from internal pressure or pressure from the mainstream society.

In American society, the prevalence of racial prejudice and discrimination appears to be related to power relationship between racial groups. The dominant group seeks to secure their political, social and economic powers; maintain their authorities; establish social norms and place restraints on the minority group. As a result, the struggling for and the fighting against power between the two groups remains a common phenomenon in American society, a common incident taking place in other multicultural or multiracial societies around the world.