Hi Miss Sue could you proofread again? I think we had a misunderstanding on the race and ethnicity part. Maybe I wrote it wrong but see if this makes better sense.

Society plays a big role on race and culture. Whether a person is black or white, Asian or Hispanic, there will always be that someone who attempts to identify and stereotype others based on their appearance such as the color of their skin, the clothes they wear, or how they act. In the very beginning, people would travel from all over the world and immigrate to the United States for freedom and opportunities; a chance to start a whole new life for them and their loved ones. Becoming an American was a gift that foreigners wanted, but came with a price when people of different races and cultures came together as one, and found that some could not mix well with those who seemed different. It also became a problem for those with foreign parents who had to learn to fit in to American culture outside the home as well as their own culture inside the home. As America continues to fill itself with many different faces and colors, some people remain traditional to their own ethnic background. However, not everyone chooses to act or behave traditionally which surprises those who expect others to behave according to their traditional cultural role. While America continues to evolve becoming the "melting pot" of the world, people from different cultures tend to judge and stereotype others, and do not realize that all people are humans like everyone else with unique personalities, regardless of race or ethnic background.

Race and ethnicity are two terms people get confused about. People tend to mix up the two, assuming that they both mean the same things. While race may refer to a specific species or breed, ethnicity can mean a common background or traditional cultural beliefs. Two people may have the same cultural backgrounds, but it does not necessarily mean they are both of the same race. Also, just because they are of the same race, it does not mean that they might have the same cultural background. For example, even though someone might appear to be Asian, it is not enough information to identify one’s race. They could be Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Cambodian. In Sherman Alexie’s “Assimilation” Jeremiah states, “Don’t you hate it, when they have Chinese waiters in sushi joints or Korean dishwashers in a Thai noodle house? No think about it, these restaurants, these Asian restaurants, they hire Asians discriminately because they think white people won’t be able to tell the difference. I can” (590).
Moreover, it is a difficult process for ones who are of a foreign race but born and raised in America to feel like they belong with the rest of the Americans. White people of America view these foreigners for what they see instead of having any interest in getting to know each and one of them as a real person only to find out that these people are just as American as they are.

America has been known as the melting pot for a while now. But despite the many years of foreigners and immigrants traveling and living in the U.S., America is still separated in many ways due to racism and prejudices. What is the difference between someone being racist and another who is prejudice? Being racist means disliking someone solely because of their race. Prejudice is someone who dislikes someone or a group of people for who they are or what they do, before being aware of all the facts about them. For example, if someone is a Christian, most times they will be prejudice against other religious organizations without even knowing any information about them. However, some people express racism throughout their daily lives without even knowing it. Even people who are prejudice are born with the preconceived notion that they feel negatively about a specific type of group of people, but not necessarily knowing why. In Vincent N. Parrillo “Causes of Prejudice” he states, “…individuals acquire the values, attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of their culture or subculture, including religion, nationality, and social class. Generally, the child conforms to the parents’ expectations in acquiring an understanding of the world and its people” (514). Children grow up not knowing any alternative conceptions of the world, and usually accept these concepts with no questions. Even when certain values or beliefs are based upon false stereotypes, prejudices shape the way some people perceive others and influence their attitudes and actions toward particular groups.

Stereotyping is another big issue in America. To stereotype someone means to identify and categorize someone based on their appearance. Stereotyping can lead to racism and prejudice and can cause people to assume certain situations, which sometimes can be a good thing, but other times, bad. In Studs Terkel’s “C.P. Ellis” C.P. states “I saw two young black people. I had the .32 revolver with me. I said: er, you seen a little young white boy up here? I just got a call from him and was told that some ers robbed him of fifteen cents. I pulled my pistol out and put it right at his head” (522). Just because someone is of a certain color or fits the profile of someone that one might dislike, it does not make that person bad in anyway. It just means that some people share common characteristics such as race, skin color, behavior, or attitudes. If people are willing to open their eyes and give people half the chance that they deserve, they will realize that people are human just like themselves and should not judge others based on what they see on the outside rather than looking in.

working on a conclusion...

In the very beginning, people would travel from all over the world . . .

People are still coming here for opportunities and freedom.

"opportunities; a chance"
Delete the semicolon, and insert a comma.

"who are of a foreign race . . ."
Since America is a melting pot, made up of all races, there can't be a "foreign" race.

"White people of America view these foreigners . . ."
It certainly isn't only white people who view foreigners with suspicion. Prejudice against Arabs, Hispanics, Asians, Russians, Africans, etc., can rear its ugly head among people of all colors and races.

". . . and another who is prejudice?"
prejudiced

" . . . are born with the preconceived notion that they feel negatively about a specific type of group of people, . . ."
No one is born with any preconceived notions.

This is much better now. :-)

I think I understand your feelings. A good friend of mine emigrated with her parents from Korea when she was 10 years old. I've heard of her and her parents' experiences with prejudice for the last 10 years, although these incidents have diminished as they've become Americanized.

THANK YOU!!

I said that part wrong. I didn't mean born with the preconceived notion, I think meant children are raised with these beliefs, not born with it. My mistake.

Sure, I'd be happy to help proofread your text and work on the conclusion. Here is the revised text:

Society plays a significant role in shaping our understanding of race and culture. It is unfortunate that, despite progress, some individuals still attempt to identify and stereotype others based on their appearance. When people from different races and cultures came together in the United States, it became clear that not everyone could easily blend in or accept those who seemed different. This presented challenges for those with foreign parents who had to navigate between American and their own cultural expectations. The United States continues to evolve as a "melting pot," but some people still judge and stereotype others without recognizing their shared humanity and unique personalities, regardless of race or ethnic background.

Race and ethnicity are often confused, with many assuming they mean the same thing. While race refers to specific species or breeds, ethnicity refers to a shared background or traditional cultural beliefs. Two individuals may have the same cultural background but belong to different races, and vice versa. For instance, someone may appear Asian, but that alone is not enough information to identify their race accurately. They could be Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Cambodian, among others.

Foreign-born individuals who belong to a different race but are raised in America often struggle to reconcile their identity and sense of belonging. People of white American descent often view them based solely on their appearance, without making an effort to understand them as individuals. However, it is crucial to recognize that these individuals are just as American as anyone else.

While America has been called a "melting pot" for years due to the presence of foreigners and immigrants, the nation remains divided due to racism and prejudices. Understanding the difference between being racist and being prejudiced is important. Racism refers to the dislike of someone solely based on their race, while prejudice involves disliking someone or a group of people based on superficial information without knowing the facts. Often, both racism and prejudice can be expressed unknowingly or unconsciously. They are influenced by the values, beliefs, and perceptions acquired from one's culture, family, and social surroundings.

Stereotyping is another major issue in America. Stereotyping involves categorizing individuals based on their appearance, which can lead to racism and prejudice. While some situations may warrant assumptions, oftentimes stereotypes contribute to negative perceptions and judgments. The story of C.P. Ellis, as mentioned in Studs Terkel's "C.P. Ellis," serves as a reminder that judging someone solely based on their color or fitting a certain profile is not a fair or accurate representation of their character.

In conclusion, it is essential for individuals to challenge their own biases, stereotypes, and preconceived notions about different races and ethnicities. By recognizing and appreciating our shared humanity and unique personalities, regardless of external appearances, we can create a more inclusive society. By continuing to evolve and learn from one another, we can break down the barriers of racism and prejudice in America's culturally diverse landscape.