In 2008 when Barack Obama, former senator in Illinois was elected President of the United States many applauded this monumental victory of an African American. He is the first-ever African American President.

Now in 2011, a couple of years after the election, Obama is still identified as the first ever African American President of the United States. If race did not truly matter to Americans or if they viewed whites and blacks as equal as why is this huge deal?

All Americans would agree both whites and African Americans that a President should be elected on the basis of skill and ability. The public votes a person in to this prestigious office because they feel that this person is the best one suited to the job.

It would be completely incorrect to vote someone in to the role of President of the United States based on skin color. If a white person were voted in on basis of skin color, it would be racism.

While President Obama campaigned on the chant of change and making Washington better, it is interesting to note that many media sources and critics emphasized his race. If racism and discrimination were truly obsolete in America, the media would not have made such a huge deal of this issue.

Thirty Seconds to Mars - "Hurricane"

By: Tiina*

Immigrants continue to come to the United States and apply to become citizens. There are so many each year that congress has passed laws limiting the number who can be admitted permanently in any one year.

Each cultural group has made significant contributions to the development and social customs of the United States. For example, while English is their official language, many words of other countries and cultures have been added to our vocabulary. Yam (African), cookie (Dutch), pretzel (German), tobacco (Native American), and ranch (Spanish) are words describing things we think of as being "American".

What is American? What is an American? These are not easy questions to answer. Certain people see the United States as a " melting pot," which means that the characteristics of different groups and individuals have blended together to form the country and culture we share. Others see the United States as a "salad bowl," which means that the different groups and individuals have retained many of their unique characteristics. There is truth in both points of view. Each recognizes that the United States is a product of its rich cultural diversity.

Race legislation in the United States is defined as legislation seeking to direct relations between so-called "races" (a social construct) or ethnic groups. It has had several historical phases in the United States, developing from the European colonization of the Americas, the triangular slave trade, and the Indian Wars. The 1776 Declaration of Independence included the statement that "all men are created equal," which has ultimately inspired actions and legislation against slavery, and racial discrimination. It led to passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution.

The first period extends until the Civil War and the Reconstruction era, the second spans the nadir of American race relations period through the early 20th century; the last period begins with World War II and the following increased civil rights movement, leading to the repeal of racial segregation laws. Race legislation has been intertwined with immigration laws, which sometimes included specific provisions against particular nationalities or ethnicities.

Deep reflection !

When we went to London we saw, we smelled and we tasted a multicultural diversity! We think that diversity is really important to people be more concious and be capable of open their minds to the difference!

When we walked in the streets, we saw the mixture of races and the way that they interact!

But diversity don´t mean always a good thing, because some people don´t respect the different culture or they don´t respect the country hosting them, like gypsies . We aren´t racists but the truth is that they are maintained by state money that came from our pocket !

To have a harmonious Country every single people should respect the law and the other people. We respect the ones that came to have a better life, and we admire them for the capacity of change , althow they should show respect for us wich recieve them !