White Hispanics, Black Irish, White Trash, and the evolution of Race in America

Interesting read this morning about "white Hispanics" by CNN contributor Roland Martin. 

I think it's also important to note that race in America has always evolved and changed, especially in regards to "whiteness." 

"Black Irish" was a term used for some Irish immigrants (not in a nice way) and Italian immigrants were once Lynched by white Americans and the KKK. 



Also, in the early days of the state of Texas, after it was taken from Mexico and became a slave state, there developed an environment where even whites were not white. That is, extremely poor share-cropping whites were labeled "trash" and "off white" and even persecuted by the authorities and the Klan. Instead of joining forces with Mexicans and Blacks however they chose to go it alone. Many of these lesser than whites saw those races as their enemy because of job scarcity. This benefitted the white ruling class in Texas to retain control and thousands of these "off what" "trash" Americans would end up leaving Texas to seek work & life elsewhere.

Race has never been that simple in America. Although if you were white, or could "pass" as white, it has steadily evolved in your favor. The largest disconnect still remains between the poor white working class and poor people of color. If these groups could ever find common ground in their struggle, the elite at the top of the heap would shake in their designer shoes.

I believe Johnny Cash sang about a "white trash" heaven where we are all equal under God. What we need to do is work on that whole equality and unity thing here on Earth, while we are still breathing.