race and ethnicity

This week, I read "Race Matters", and "Mexican Americans and Immigrant Incorportation". Both articles seem to stress how in America the framework is assimilation or having to "simply fit in". Non whites are judged by their skin color, language they speak, and even their social class. Their is a stero type linked to anyone who even says they are "black" or "Mexican". I have many expierances that relate to those when reading these articles. Telling people that I am half Mexican, I get a shocked face, and a verbal response like " Really? oh." and the subject seems to change rather quickly. I have always been very proud to be Mexican and Italian but I always felt I never fit with either side. I consider myself American, like many other people but when society finds out what your race is, opinions change. Their is also a unjustice in the criminal justice system. Not only blacks expierance this but any one who is "not white". In my opinion, America should be accepting of all religions, races, ethnicity and etc, and should not try to "fit in". Unfortunately in many cases this is a part of society that is unfair and wrong.