2004_Human Rights Comm Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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health care services also emerged as a common theme. Many participants in the community conversations expressed the opinion that race relations have worsened since September II, 2001. . Racist language and stereotypes interfere with people's ability to go about their normal daily activities, including affecting their health. Attitudes about racial others All racial groups report some level of discomfort around people of other races. Asians report the highest level of discomfort around people from other races, followed by Latinos and American Indians. Blacks! African-Americans and Whites report the lowest levels of discomfort around people from other races. . In our survey, 37 percent say that they get nervous walking into a room of people from other races, if they are the only one of their own race present; and over 40 percent "strongly" or "somewhat" agree that people of other races don't want to get to know them, because of their race. Almost one-third "strongly" or "somewhat" agree that they would like to get to know people of other races better, but often feel as if they might be ridiculed or shamed if they say the wrong thing. . Several of the community conversation participants alluded to tensions with other racial groups, primarily commenting on intense competition among communities of color for jobs and other scarce resources. All racial groups expressed animosity towards new immigrants. Attitudes toward immigrants and immigrants' own attitudes toward racial others According the Census, more than 78,000 residents in Dakota, Ramsey and Washington Counties were not bom in the U.S. This is about 30 percent of all immigrants in Millllesota. Of these, 41,138 live in St. Paul, 18,049 live in Dakota County, 13,125 in suburban Ramsey County, and 6,860 in Washington County. In general, we found more animosity than compassion towards immigrants. . On average, two of every three people (67%) surveyed say that immigrants should overcome prejudice and work their way up without special favors. . Community conversations with Blacks! African-Americans, Whites, and Latinos included numerous negative attitudes toward immigrants, some compassion for immigrants, and a sense that American-born oppressed groups find themselves pitted against new immigrant groups to "fight over crumbs." Latinos in particular described being stereotyped and resented as illegal aliens. An assessment afracism in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties 2 January 2004