There is no question we have grown as a society when it comes to the concept of racism.

Yet, as of late, we find ourselves living again in a moment of racist tension – maybe at its worst.

So what are the thoughts of members of different ethnic groups when asked what they think of racism and if they have been victimimized.

“It still here I can promise you that,” said Delta College Student Eduardo Alvarado when asked if he ever was a victim of it.

Alvarado is of Mexican descent. He said that while driving through a checkpoint two cars in front of him were allowed to pass through. One was a limo carrying prom students.

“I know it had to do with me being a Mexican and having a strong accent,” he said.

He was told a different reason, though.

“Their reason for it was because my eyes looked low and a little red. It was 12 a.m., close to one, of course they would be,” he said.

For some, the experience stems from being misinterpreted.

“It’s not that I feel like I’m being treated differently because I feel like I’ve been treated equal. But I’m talking about how I feel it’s racist without knowing it’s racist when people think I’m Pakistani and then I tell them I’m Arabic and they say that’s the same sh@* you all believe in Allah, that to me is racist,” said student Abraham Sublaban.

Consider this, Sublaban said. if he’s in the vicinity of a crime that includes a bomb, if it was between him and another individual, the likelihood is that he would be questioned.

Student Laura Henson is like many today and is of mixed descent, both Hispanic and Caucasian.

Henson said it’s tougher for her to fit in with a Mexican group than a white, not because she’s racist but like Abraham she falls in the same hole where she gets racially tagged.

“When I was in high school everyone thought I was full white and when they found out I was Mexican as well they always found a reason to tell me that what I did no matter what the case was it was not Mexican enough and the things I did do where the white side of me,” she said.

Her thoughts on racism is that a few people are ruining it for the others.

“Those who are racist are those who are ignorant and small minded, and that its not just whites who are racist like many make you believe but it’s every race they have there bad apples in there,” she said.

Lodi resident Damon Butler said there is a double standard.

As a black man, he has “the right” to say derogative terms, including the “N” word as a slang term, but there’s an expectation others will not use it.

“Others won’t say it in my presence,” he said.