The US is considered one of the most diversified nations in terms of its population. The US is made up of a number of races which include Scottish Americans. Though not as popular as their Irish counterparts and other minority races like the African Americans, the atrocities that the Scottish American underwent in the past are among the untold stories of the dark American past (Szasz, 2000). Scottish Americans are a result of the interaction between Scots who immigrated into the US and later integrated with existing cultures.
Scottish Americans were affected by both segregation and racism in the dark American past mostly due to their close resemblance to the Irish who underwent a far worse experience in the US (Szasz, 2000). Most Scots immigrated into America around the mid 18th century due to upheavals that were being experienced in the US (Mahalingam, 2006). It was common place for Scottish Americans who were easily mistaken for Irish Americans to be discriminated against in social situations. In the church they were considered derogatory for they considered the King James Version of the bible misinforming (Mahalingam, 2006).Scottish Americans just like their Irish counterparts were associated with difficult and dangerous jobs. It is estimated that nearly one third of Scottish American Males died in the course of the dangerous labor environment they were exposed to (Szasz, 2000).
This is a form of dual labor that considered them less suited for formal jobs and only good in using their muscles rather than their brains. Female Scottish Americans did not escape the manifestation of the duality in labor for like Latinos and African Americans their place in the labor market was as house helps and farm workers (Mahalingam, 2006).Though not on a large scale, Scottish Americans were victims of stereotyping thus prejudice. The media was especially responsible for developing an image of Scottish Americans as being boss-controlled, prone to alcoholism and extremely violent (Szasz, 2000). This prejudice may have been the key factor that pushed most of them into seeking manual labor. Most Scottish Americans suffered considerably and lived a life that can only be rated a below average.
Redlining as form of institutionalized discrimination was directed the way of Scottish Americas due to their predominantly being housed in poor neighborhoods.Under this form of discrimination they could be denied access to financial services like banking and insurance on the basis of them living in certain neighborhoods (Oskamp, 2000). There were cases where Scottish Americas who met requirement for loans and even mortgages were denied such services on the basis of where they were housed. Redlined areas were associated with poor social amenities and due to the resulting environment most redlined neighborhoods were associated with crime thus the prejudgment of Scottish Americans as being prone to violence.
Glass Ceiling effect did not spare them for in most cases they were victims of a more hidden form of discrimination in early 20th century (Mahalingam, 2006). In organizational environment most Scottish Americans despite their qualifications had a difficult time gaining access to top level jobs. Except in special cases, Scottish Americans were victims of prejudice manifested in subjective choice of people that could advance to top management position. The result is that though they were not discriminated against on the basis of skin color, prejudice manifested in glass ceiling effect caught up with them (Oskamp, 2000).
Moreover, before the active involvement of most Scottish American in formal jobs they were considered fit for informal jobs and any attempt by a Scottish American to seek formal jobs led to an individual being surrounded by 'dominant races' that were least appreciative of what they considered an antic by one who has an inborn inability to engage in a task that should be allocated to the 'able' (Oskamp, 2000). I do identify with the Scottish Americans as a minority group. The manifestation of discrimination that was directed to them during the past dark era should never be allowed to occur again.It is important to note that the manifestation of discrimination took on different forms; the result was the unfair treatment of fellow humans.
Though most Scottish Americans can be considered white, they underwent the same kind of treatment that Latinos and African Americans underwent. Furthermore, I identify with the mainstream American culture for it is appreciative of diversity that defines humanity. America can attribute the levels of development it has attained in diversity of culture and discussion on the dark past to appreciation of this diversity.It is important that all irrespective of their race, color and culture be appreciative of diversity and learn from past events on its importance. Appreciation of the Scottish American culture is important in appreciation of the person I really am.
It is further important to note that discrimination can take on different forms irrespective of the culture, gender, race and levels of educational attainment and in either cases the person involved or the group he represents are considered to have been discriminated against.
