Sub-Culture and Minority Groups

Sub-Culture and Minority Groups
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Sub-Culture and Minority Groups
Native Americans comprised of the Indian people that were organized in tribes, ethnic groups and bands (Schaefer, 2011). These cultural groupings had different language and norms that distinguished them. They exhibit cultural pluralism through artworks and oral traditions. Native American ethnocentrism makes them believe their culture is superior hence the eagerness to assimilate other subcultures like Latinos. The numbers of Native Americans has reduced drastically due to intermarriage and cultural disintegration making it a minority group in the country. They portray minority group characteristics such as holding low positions in the social order and are subject to racial discrimination.

African Americans refer to an ethnic community of America that has partial or total ancestry from the black people of Africa. However, the term should be used to refer to the descendants of slavery. A significant percentage of these African Americans originated from the central and western parts of Africa during the 16th century (Koppelman, 2016). The African Americans maintained their cultural pluralism while working as slaves for the Whites. However, this was due to the ethnocentrism perspective they held on their ancestral gods. They are a minority group that holds a low social authority position in the country. Other minority group characteristics they possessed included different skin color and low economic position.

African Americans today are the descendants of the enslaved Africans in America. They have increased in numbers from being the smallest group to the third largest ethnic community in the U.S. The African Americans were unable to hold onto cultural pluralism due to assimilation by the majority group. Also, they lost their ethnocentrism with the perception that it was a form of illiteracy. The African Americans today are still a minority group with low influence on the country’s authority system. They exhibit minority features such as having a black skin and being aware of subordination.
Latino Americans refer to an ethnic group that has ancestry in Latin America. The group can also be described as American citizens that identify themselves as Hispanics. Their cultural pluralism is based on music, high art, and folk art. The Latinos believe in the ethnocentrism of their norms, which is evident in popular culture and worldwide artworks. However, they are a minority group with low social authority position in the America. Additionally, they possess minority group characteristics such as holding low economic positions and having a different skin color.
Mexican Americans refer to an American ethnic group that partially or totally originates from Mexico. They make up to 11.1% of the American population, which represents 24% of the total Mexicans globally (Koppelman, 2016). The Mexicans in America exhibit their cultural pluralism through maintaining their ethnic languages such as Mayan and Nahuatl. Their ethnocentrism is reflected through the Mexican cultural food and language. However, they are a minority community with few parliamentary representatives. Additionally, they are aware of subordination as their major minority group feature.
Puerto Ricans are an ethnic group in America that originated from Spain. Their traditions conform to the Canary and Andalusia Island people. They form the significant minority group in America. Their minority group characteristics include holding insignificant social authority positions and being aware of subordination. The Puerto Ricans exhibit cultural pluralism through composing music full of their culture. Also, through the music, they portray their ethnocentrism.
Muslim Americans refer to an ethnic group comprising of people from various backgrounds that are Islamic believers. The Muslims in America make up to 0.9% of the entire population (Schaefer, 2011). The Muslim Americans exhibit cultural pluralism through religion. They are considered a minority group since they are less than Christians and Jewish believers. Other characteristics placing them in minority group include being subjects of discrimination and are aware of subordination. However, the fact that they are converting other Americans into Islam shows their strong ethnocentrism.
Arab Americans refer to an ethnic group in America that originated from the Arab countries that include Algeria, Comoros, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Somalia, Yemen, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. The U.S in 2010 indicated that their population was about 1.7 million (Koppelman, 2016). The Arab Americans show their cultural pluralism through using the Arabic language. Also, they have spread the language globally, especially in Muslim states, which clearly evidence strong ethnocentrism. However, they are considered a minority group due to low representation in social authority positions. Additionally, they possess minority group characteristics such as different skin color and involuntary membership.
Asian Americans comprise of American Citizens that originated from Asia. They identify themselves as Asians and make-up to 4.5% of the American population. The Asians comprise of the Koreans, Thai, and Vietnam sub-ethnic groups. They exhibit cultural pluralism through the tea celebration and the origami practice. The Asians have been able to hold onto Buddhism religion, which shows the ethnocentrism for their norms. They are a minority group in America since they hold limited power in social authority positions. Additionally, they are subject to racial discrimination, which evidences their minority group classification.
Chinese Americans are U.S citizens that have total or partial origin from China. They comprise of East Asian and overseas Chinese people. They exhibit their cultural pluralism through literature, ceramics architecture, martial arts, music, and cuisine. The Chinese have been able to preserve and practice traditional religious beliefs and use their ethnic language globally, which evidence strong ethnocentrism. However, they are considered a minority group in America since they hold insignificant contribution to the social authority. Additionally, they are subject to racial discrimination and are aware of subordination, which characterizes their classification as a minority group.
Japanese Americans refer to American citizens that totally or partially originated from Japan. They represent the third largest Asian ethnic community in America. They evidence cultural pluralism through the kanfuku clothing, art, and music. Their ethnocentrism can be reflected through the Japanese visual arts and sculpture. They are a minority group in America since they hold few leadership positions in the society. Additionally, the Japanese Americans exhibit minority group characteristics such as being subjects of racial discrimination and membership is involuntary.
Jewish Americans refer to a group of American citizens that identify themselves as Jewish (Schaefer, 2011). Their identity and origin are based on nationality, religion or ethnicity. They exhibit cultural pluralism through religion, dance, and clothing. The Jewish embrace Judaism religion, which evidences their ethnocentrism to their norms. However, they are a minority group with low social influence in the country. Additionally, they are subject to racial and religious discrimination and are aware of subordination, which characterizes their classification as a minority group.
Any person that is of feminine gender and has passed the age of childhood can identify herself as a woman (Koppelman, 2016). The women are a minority group since they have low influence on social authority. Additionally, the group has the following characteristics: they are subject to gender discrimination and exploitation, and membership is involuntary, which qualify them as a minority group. However, they do not exhibit cultural pluralism and ethnocentrism due to massive influence from the men.
In conclusion, the analysis of the different subcultures in America and the application of sociological terms such as Ethnocentrism, cultural pluralism, and minority group enabled me to research on the historical background of the respective communities thus, understanding the chapter material comprehensively. Also, it provided a basis to research, define and link the sociological terms to the subcultures, which facilitated comprehension of these concepts.

References
Koppelman, K. L. (2016). Understanding human differences: Multicultural education for a diverse America. Pearson.
Schaefer, R. T. (2011). Racial and ethnic groups. Pearson Higher Ed.