Kevin Aravind

            Cardiovascular disease has been called the silent killer and affects male and female, as well as every ethnic group. “Heart and blood vessel disease — cardiovascular disease, also called heart disease— includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack or stroke.”[1] In my study, I analyze mortality due to cardiovascular disease in three categories: coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and acute myocardial infarction in three areas: Worcester, Boston and Massachusetts. The study is based on Age-adjusted rate, “a procedure for adjusting rates, designed to minimize the effects of differences in age distributions when comparing rates for different populations. Age-adjusted rates are usually expressed per 100,000 persons.”[2]

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            “Coronary heart disease is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart… [It] is the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women.”[4] Hispanic people in each community suffer less from coronary heart disease than their White and Black counterparts. Black people in Worcester, at 125.9 per 100,000 people, are most affected by coronary heart disease, as well as in Boston at 106.7 per 100,000 people, which is less than Black people as a whole in the state of Massachusetts who are impacted at 114.1 per 100,000 people. White people die the most from coronary heart disease except in Worcester. White people in Boston die at about the same rate as White people in the State.

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            Cerebrovascular disease occurs when “blood flow to a part of the brain stops”[6] either because of a clot in an artery or a cerebral hemorrhage. Black and Hispanic people die of cerebrovascular disease twice as much in Worcester than these demographics in Boston and Massachusetts as a whole. White people in Worcester die much less of this disease than Black and Hispanics respectively at 33.6, 90.5, and 51.7 per 100,000 people. In Boston, less Hispanic people die of cerebrovascular disease than Whites and Blacks do, as we saw in the previous chart for with coronary heart disease. Interestingly, less people die of cerebrovascular disease than of coronary heart disease. The only numbers close to each other for cerebrovascular disease and coronary heart disease are Hispanics in Worcester at 57.2 and 51.7 people per 100,000.

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            Acute Myocardial Infarction commonly known as heart attack “occurs when blood flow is blocked for a long enough time that part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies.”[8] In each location, Whites suffer at about the same rate from cerebrovascular disease as from acute myocardial infarction. Blacks are more affected by cerebrovascular disease and coronary heart disease than by acute myocardial infarction. The most people who die from cerebrovascular disease are Blacks in Worcester at 65.6 per 100,000 people. The mortality of Blacks is twice that of Whites and six times that of Hispanics.

            According to this study Hispanics, have the lowest mortality rate for cardiovascular diseases. Yet Hispanics have high risk factors for coronary disease, diabetes, obesity, and low physical activity.[9] Why are Hispanics dying of coronary diseases at a lesser rate than other ethnic groups? Is it because the death rate is not recorded properly and the cause of death not accurately determined? Are the medical records correct? Or is there a part of the Hispanic diet which counteracts the risk factors?

            To study income distribution by ethnicity, I have compared incomes in the United States, Massachusetts, Boston and Worcester. I chose Boston and Worcester because they are both diverse cities with roughly the same population size, although, the greater Boston area is home to 4.6 million people. According to the 2010 US Census, Boston had a population of 621,383 and Worcester had a population of 791,855. Boston is in the east while Worcester is in “the heart of the commonwealth” [1] of Massachusetts. Each city is steeped in historical context. Both cities are home to many higher learning institutions. Housing in Worcester is affordable for middle income families, while in Boston, housing is more expensive but Mayor Menino has made affordable housing a top priority. In the past Worcester’s economy was based on manufacturing but today it is heavily invested in technology and health care. Boston has always been a port, a financial and commerce center as well as an administrative center for the state government. The 2010 census indicates that both cities have economic disparities by race.

            There are a few ways to analyze income distribution for cities, states, and the entire country such as percentage below the poverty line, household median income, and per capita mean income. The poverty line in 2010 was defined as earning less than 22,113 dollars for a two parent two child house hold, or leaning less than 11,344 dollars for an individual under the age of 65.[2] In the USA, 15.3% of all households had incomes below the poverty line. 12.5% of white households were living under the poverty line where as 27.1% and 24.8% of Blacks and Hispanics respectively were living below the poverty line. Roughly, 17% of White people in Boston and Worcester lived under the poverty line compared to 9% for the whole state. The most poor Black people were in Boston at 29.5%. Surprisingly, Worcester had a high number of Hispanics living under the poverty line at 45.9%. This might be due to low levels of educational success in that community.[3]

            When assessing wealth by looking at median household income distribution, one must understand that half the total population has an income above the median and the other half below it. Massachusetts as a whole has a median income of 62,072 dollars about 14 thousand dollars higher than the nation. Boston was about equal to the nation’s median income and Worcester was about 7 thousand dollars less. Black households in Worcester are doing well. The median income is 14 thousand dollars more than the national median income for that demographic. On the other hand, Hispanic household’s median income, in Worcester, is 20 thousand dollars less than the national median income. The median income for White households in Boston and Massachusetts as a whole is above 60 thousand.

            Similar discrepancies appear in the chart for per capita mean income in dollars by ethnic background. Per capita income for Whites in Worcester is below the national figures while they are higher in Boston and Massachusetts. Blacks in Worcester, Boston, and Massachusetts make more than the national per capita average. Hispanics in Boston and Massachusetts make roughly the same per capita income compared to the national average while making less in Worcester.

            In conclusion, my study shows that poverty is highest in Worcester. The only demographic examined that lives at a higher standard in Worcester than other places are Blacks. In general, Massachusetts provides a higher standard of living for everyone except for Hispanics. Whites have the most income in every case except in Worcester where the median income for Blacks is higher.

Percentage of people living under the poverty line 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey

S1701 POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS  
2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

Household median income in dollars 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey

S1903 MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2010 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)  
2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

 Per capita mean income in dollars by ethnic background 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey

S1902 Boston MEAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2010 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)  

       White privilege is a term used to describe unearned advantages white skinned people have in the United States. It encompasses the racial targeting of minorities that colored people often live with. A Caucasian person rarely has to deal with a sentiment of being the other in this society. White privilege can be used to describe a self-consciousness or awareness of one’s race as a factor in how a person is treated by others which white people never experience. In Arizona minorities must always be prepared to present documentation of immigration status which whites do not have to worry about. White privilege is a feeling of being the other, or out casted, which white people never experience. For example, if a black person is fired, he/she might have a slight uncomfortable feeling that it was perhaps because of race or cultural identity. Many times employers are white and minorities have to work wondering if their cultural origin is respected or understood. Standardized testing has been proven to advantage white students who often go to better schools because they come from affluent communities.

       I asked two colleagues of my mother, two Indian professors in a Massachusetts College, if they knew what white privilege was. Both had heard of the concept. Professor V. said “Yes, it means that simply being white gives a person advantages in life–in being hired, in the way the person is viewed at school and in being taken seriously at work. I think though that white privilege is more prevalent for white men than for white women.” When asked if she thought white privilege was real she answered “Yes, I do because I think the way one is viewed by others has a deep impact on a person’s psyche and aspirations.” She finished by emphasizing that studies show that class also plays a key role in a person’s upbringing and culture and is often a part of discrimination. Professor A. explained “Yes, I have heard about white privilege. I think, first of all, that it does not apply (equally) to all whites, and that other sorts of privilege also operate in tandem with it.” Both thought they were other type of privileges aside from color.

       Both agreed that class is a factor although it is not talked about in American society. Privileges benefit certain groups of people. When asked if white privilege could be changed or remedied Prof A. explained “It is real, but it is, unfortunately, not a matter of ‘getting rid’ of it. It’s a matter of changing society. The first thing is to diversify the minds that have power (through election, support of different initiatives in communities, and so forth), and also for being responsible citizens who evaluate and critique not just what is around oneself but how one’s own actions contribute to the situation.” Both professors have been in this country longer than 20 years and are raising multicultural families. Professor A. did share that when she moved to an affluent community there were times when people thought she was “a nanny” because her sons are lighter skinned then she is.

        At school, I took the initiative to introduce myself to a student who is an immigrant from India. This young man was a strong example of a person who does not experience any white privilege in this country and he had never heard of the concept. When he told me his name I did not understand him and was a bit embarrassed to ask him to repeat it. Culturally his south Indian background was very different than the average college kid. He was listening to some Indian music. When asked if he listened to American music he said no but he was exposed to some new age Indian house music by his friend back home. He had a New England Patriots hat on the table and I asked if it was a way of assimilating. He said “no it is just a way for me to be able to interact with people here because people love sports so much.” He explained that if he goes to a bar it is a way for him to make conversation. He enjoyed cricket but could not follow the games because staying up late at night to watch a match would interfere with his education. I asked if he went to temple in India and in the USA. He said he missed going to temple in India and that the only temple here was too far away to go to and it was “inconvenient”. I asked if he ever felt that people treated him differently because he was a foreigner and he said no, but I got the impression it was him keeping a positive outlook. He enthusiastically said “I am willing to repeat myself 10 times” which did not bother him but added “if they can’t understand me or don’t try, to hell with them”. The thing he missed most from home was the food since he does not cook. I wished him good luck and being friendly gave him my email saying “my father was an immigrant to this country too”. I told him that being successful like my dad was possible and to keep his head up.

       In April 2010 legislation SB 1070 was signed into action in Arizona by Governor Jan Brewer. The bill was passed as illegal immigration prevention. This new law required all people to be able to present proof of citizenship or immigration status; if requested by police or law enforcement, who then have the right to detain “illegals”. Upon an NPR investigation as to how the bill was formulated, it is clear that “immigration reform” became a euphemism for ‘profitable detention of aliens’.  This type of illegal immigration prevention is actually a reactionary tactic where private prison corporations stand to profit from the detention of illegal immigrants. Mr. Pearce and the Corrections Corporation of America formulated this social theory of incarnation of aliens at American Legislative Exchange Council.

       President Obama stated that this law threatened “to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe”. The law targets specifically Latinos. It gives police the right to question a person’s residency status based on skin color, looks, and cultural identity. Mr. Magos after being stopped and questioned for ten minutes said “he changed my view of myself. I always felt American, no hyphenation. Now he put the hyphen on.”

       This law clearly calls for police to distinguish white Americans from immigrant Americans especially Latinos and Mexicans. “Opponents have called it an open invitation for harassment and discrimination against Hispanics regardless of the citizenship status”. (The New York Times) There is no way that law enforcement can efficiently correlate information as to who has been checked where and when, so a person who “looks illegal” can potentially be stopped multiple times in the same day, week, or month and be forced to prove citizenship. This would constitute as harassment. “This law effectively turned regular police officers into ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) argues Salvador Reza, a Latino activist.”

       Clearly race is the main issue in this law. The question then becomes does this legislation perpetuate racism? In an already polarized society socially, this illegal immigration policy seems to say that not all people have the right to live the American dream. This law demonizes non white Americans. It insinuates that people of a certain ethnic background are not guaranteed the same humane treatment as United States citizens. The imprisonment of migrant workers who provide a service in the agricultural sector is so deeply racist that it is hard to comprehend. Not only do these people work for under the minimum wage promised by our government, but then they are incarcerated, seemingly to profit the private prison industry.

       This immigration policy turns the phrase “illegal alien” into a synonym with “criminal” because punishment, the imprisonment of these people, is the same as that of other types of criminals. It equates an undocumented person of foreign origin with a criminal from the United States. This is racist and unjust. NPR found statements from executives of the Corrections Corporation of America expecting to bring in “a significant portion of our revenues” from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.[1]

       Legislation SB 1070 had an unusually high number of sponsors, thirty six. Thirty out of thirty six sponsors of this bill received donations from lobbyists from prison companies. State lobbying records indicate that two of Governor Brewer’s top advisors- her spokesman Paul Senseman and her campaign manager Chuck Coughlin- are former lobbyists for private prison companies. There was heavy lobbying during the passing of the bill directed towards Arizona state legislature and members of American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). This is a conservative group who drafted the bill. This group of legislators, who hold meetings with multiple private corporations, effectively found a way to profit from tax payer dollars used to fund prisons that would incarcerate or detain illegal aliens. By presenting the bill as immigration reform to a public already divided on the issue these people found a way to profit from the dehumanizing of foreigners. The president of the Geo Group, a private international corrections facility provider, told investors “I can only believe the opportunities at the federal level are going to continue apace as a result of what’s happening. Those people coming across the border and getting caught are going to have to be detained and that for me, at least I think, there’s going to be enhanced opportunities for what we do.”

       Clearly, this law discriminates against Hispanics and is a form of oppression of an ethnic group. It has spurred lawsuits and complaints. The ACLU has been involved and acted against this extreme law. As of today, an Arizona Sheriff , Joe Arpaio, had to settle a claim because of his treatment of two persons of Hispanic origin. Unjust searches are frequent and must be stopped.

References:

Randal Archibold, “Arizona Enacts Stringent Law on Emigration. ” The New York Times, April 23, 2010.

 “Joe Arpaio, Arizona Sherrif Racial Profiling case”, Huffington Post Politics, Feb 12, 2012.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/08/joe-arpaio-arizona-racial-profiling-immigration_n_893227.html?view=print&comm_ref=false

Nicholas Riccardi, “Racial Profiling in Arizona?”  Los Angeles Times, May 1, 2010.

Laura Sullivan, « Prison Economics Help Drive Arizona Immigration Law.” http://newstrust.net/stories/3851517/toolbar?ref=tp