...RACE Name of Student Institution affiliation DEFINATION OF RACE Social constructionism relates to the socially create nature of social life. Social constructionism is therefore created by a group within a society by happens due to the fact that the society encourages and supports it. Social constructionism can therefore be considered as a social norm and it continues to be relevant as long as people put timeinto practising it and talk about it.A race can best be described as a group of people who are perceived to some physical characteristics which are quite distinctive; which mainly include skin colour and facial structure. These two distinctive racial characteristics are perceived to be inherited biologically.This paper, therefore, aims to highlight on the view of race as a social construction. The human race is not only dependent on the distinct physical attributes and skin colour but alsoreligion, language and nationality play a significant role in distinguishing race in human beings. In most cases race is used as an ethnic intensifier where it often try to justify or exploit one one group over the other.In the American society, the idea of race seems to be so fixed that it seems impossible for the society to take up an open-minded approach when challenging this idea.In the American society, race is perceived as a discrete scheme of classification. Therefore, it is mostly considered as a social construction. On the other hand in these society race is also perceived...
Words: 1174 - Pages: 5
...The myths of “racial democracy,” the “the melting pot,” and “salad bowl” theories. The myths of “racial democracy,” the “melting pot,” and “Salad bowl” theories This paper will examine the theories of the “melting pot” and “salad bowl” and also look at “racial democracy” in Brazil. Secondly, this paper will look at cultural assimilation using these theories. Finally it will look at the myths of these theories and how they have affected the American and world societies. Have Americans really reached either the “melting pot” or “salad bowl” theories of cultural assimilation? Is Brazil really a “racial democracy” or is this also a myth and how does this differ with America? The United States of America is one of the most culturally diverse nations on earth. In 2009, Michael C. Lemay states, “the United States of America is arguably the most ethnically and racially diverse nation on earth”. Who is an American, I am using the term Americans to be defined as individuals who were native born, naturalized citizens, and individuals who consider themselves Americans from the United States of America. Generally speaking most Americans grow up, in ethnically homogeneous communities (Putnam, 2007) vice the differing theories of “melting pot” or “salad bowl.” While Americans live and work in communities that are ethnically and culturally diverse the issues of intolerance and prejudice against various ethnic and racial backgrounds has been a plague throughout...
Words: 4684 - Pages: 19
...Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism is when there is an ethnic group that believes they are superior to any other ethnic group.. It would be like the German Nazis who thought they were better than Jewish people. Melting pot A melting pot is when many people from different races, countries, or cultures come together. A great example of a melting pot would be the United State since everywhere you look there is someone who is of a different race or culture. Minority group A minority group is a group of people who have very little control or power over their own lives but a different minority may hold the dominance over the lesser group of people. Emigration An example of emigration would be a United States resident moving to Europe in the hopes to becoming a permanent Europe resident. Immigration Immigration means a person or population coming to a new country with the goal of becoming a permanent resident. Culture A culture is a group of people or characteristics that are similar with each other whether its age, race, sex, religion, or demographic. A culture is a group of people that share the same social qualities. Part II Answer each question in 250 to 350 words: 1. What are some of the ways groups of people are identified? People can be identified into all sorts of different groups, there is a racial group which is based off of a person’s skin color, hair color or body type. Some typical racial groups would be Native Americans, Asian Americans, or...
Words: 1052 - Pages: 5
...The American national identity is solely based on cultural subjects such as race, class, ethnicity, and gender. The American people can perceive as a melting pot, but usually at times of crisis, such as 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina, when we all come together as one nation. On another side of that we can be seen as salad bowl, which is pretty much saying, even though we are all in one nation we still see each other as different or unequal to each other. The American national identity can be something’s in American culture we choose Identify as one whole Melting Pot or a national salad bowl. One of the controversies America faces on its national identify is how much race impacts our culture either individually or as a whole. We can say we see each other as one nation one people, none divided, all equal, but the truth is most of it is a lie. We see each other as different because of the color of their skin; we divide each other based on race through propagandized media and our own stigmas as to which race we can trust and which race we tolerate. Thinking about it there are some moments in history were we have shown that in any situation we are still one nation, but the sad part is it is only time of natural disaster or times of turmoil, when we feel as though we need to be one nation to show everyone else that we are strong and will overcome any obstacle. The annoying thing is that we choose to do this on occasion, instead of sticking together at all times. When race is the major...
Words: 1445 - Pages: 6
... attitudes, folkways and ideologies, differences that give the country its distinctiveness. Current im-migration is sure to change the mixture, but change is not new; the cultural mixture of America has been changing continuously.” There is no auto defined definition to the American way of life, it is always changing whether we want it to or not. As Charon mentions, “Change occurs in every social organization, and it is ongoing and inevitable”. However, I do see this threat to be almost negligible, our biggest problem is within the racial conflictions of society adapting to a change. America has always been seen as a melting pot of cultures; however the melting pot concept is too vague to define. A melting pot means the society confirms to a new identity, however this is not such the case. The traditions are all varying and different outlooks still; we are not some culture defined as a mix of one pot, but rather a mix of many other pots. This correlates to Charon’s idea of the individual making a difference, “Attempts to influence society are countered by the power of long-standing social patterns that are normally defended by people who have a stake in those patterns”. The fact that American way of life changes does not immediately constitute that a certain person’s way of life will be affected anyhow. Those who are against the change will more or so likely will be against it still; those people will not be moved. This widens the barrier of change but also breeds a new barrier...
Words: 755 - Pages: 4
...or description of what is going to happen. Additionally a banner that is in every scene is draped down that has written text for each scene that outlines the history of African American history. The banner contains useful information that tells the audiences what will happen in the scene, whatever it be a gift of iron, American slave trade, or the involvement in Egypt.”. 2. In terms of form and content, how is The Star of Ethiopia similar to The Melting Pot? How is it different?...
Words: 556 - Pages: 3
...the Melting Pot (book) and the Lost Boys of Sudan movie with regard to the theory of immigration in America. Immigration is the flow of population from one place to another or from one country to another. The reasons behind immigration can be various depending on the circumstances faced by the population. It can be better employment opportunities, better living standards, education facilities or economic or political scenarios that cause people to move from one place to another. Out of the various countries in the world that face the immigration, America faces the highest rate of immigration amongst other countries like Europe, Australia, and China etc. There are both positive and negative aspects of immigration in a country. The positive aspects can be attributed to the infiltration of more talented work forces coming from a country and on the other hand, considering the negative point of immigration, it increases the struggle and competition among the natives and the people that are resident in that particular country. For many decades, large American cities and east and west coast states have been under the influence of immigration and America has been considered as the country containing the blend of people from all countries of the world. The state of immigration in America has been very well reflected by the movie “Lost Boys of Sudan” that was directed by Megan Mylen and John Shenk and was released in the year 2003 and the book “The Melting pot” by Anna...
Words: 2913 - Pages: 12
...Assimilation theory refers to the functioning within a society of racial or ethnic minority-group members who no longer possess any marked cultural, social, or personal differences from the people of the dominant group (2016). Racial groups lose their importance through assimilation. The different types of assimilation are cultural assimilation, marital assimilation, and structural assimilation. For example, a Hispanic man moves his family to America and stops celebrating Hispanic holidays such as Cinco de Mayo or Day of the Dead. These holidays are known in the Hispanic community. However, they start celebrating holidays such as July 4th Independence Day. The equation is A+B+C=A. Amalgamation theory or melting pot refers to a diverse individual...
Words: 351 - Pages: 2
...safeguarded. PREVENTS OPRESSION – FAILURE OF RECOGNITION + CULTURAL IMPERIALISM: A second reason is the argument that it prevents oppression. It is possible that a state can harm their citizens by ignoring their cultural identity – a process Charles Taylor calls failure of recognition therefore, there must be minority rights to avoid cultural imperialism (domination) by the host country. REDUCES SOCIAL INJUSTICE – AFRICAN AMERICANS SOCIAL DISCRIMIBATION: Lastly, the argument that minority rights reduce social injustice is supported by multiculturalists. Such examples the underrepresentation of cultural groups. This is done through positive discrimination as evident with black Americans in 1978 with the case of University of California v Bakke where African Americans were able to enter University with lower grades. SIMMERING MELTING POT – DIFFERENT TASTES AND PERSPECTIVES: Cosmopolitan multiculturalists may argue that giving minority rights will allow for diversity and other are able to taste and have different perspectives – society becomes a simmering melting pot – James...
Words: 261 - Pages: 2
...issue than it should be. No matter how far we come, it always seems that another issue arises and it leads back to race. If we view race as a social construction supported by political realities, can complicate things more than needed. We can compare this view to traditional, and biological definitions. The downside to both of these views can be seen. Traditional views of race may inhibit the thinking and beliefs of others. Going back to the slavery days to the Civil Rights Movement, and issues that have arose in more recent times, the arguments, and hate do continue. If we view race as social construction, more minds may be open to the idea of racial equality. Many of the racial issues we have today are supported by political realities. Politics are the main division of race. There are many political realities that fuel the racial fire. We see so many children involved in crime, abuse and so many other issues that plague us. So why is it when a child is killed, or a victim of police brutality, the media always emphasizes, that a black child was killed by a white cop? Would it not be a better idea to say a young adult or a teenager was killed by an officer? Race does not always have to be an issue. But as long as the media and politics are thrown in, then money is to be made. Because our country is such a melting pot of races, it can be difficult to identify the line that makes up a race (America's immigration debate [Video file]. (2004). Acceptance should be...
Words: 1114 - Pages: 5
...CULTURAL SOCIETY: “MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA” By Ariane Coleman American Intercontinental University September 04, 2011 CULTURAL SOCIETY: “MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA” America has been considered as the “melting pot” since the beginning of civilization. Consequently, varying styles, theories, cultures and norms of these people within the melting pot have made it difficult for Americans to have norms that are entirely independent of any one cultural influence. Although some other ethnocentric cultures view “westerners” as a loose and uncouth nation, I must admit that a look into the Japanese geisha practices raised both of my eyebrows. “Geisha literally is a “performing artist.” In Japanese, “gei” means art and “sha” means people or person.” (Missouri Botanical Garden, 2011) A performing artist in western culture depicts MJ, Elton John, and some of the greats from American pop culture. Conversely, this is not the circumstance in the case of geisha. Regardless of the sociological perspective we can conclude the same things: Norms are not to be violated in spite of the culture. If they are defiled then there are consequences. However, such consequences that I deem appropriate are irrelevant due to the extreme expectations that society places on women in these positions . Let us first consider the primary institutions involved in the lives of geisha women. In Memoirs of a Geisha the Japanese cultures’ norm is drastically different from the “ideal” American’s norm. There is...
Words: 641 - Pages: 3
...about diversity in the United States is that it creates an exciting environment. Diversity enriches the living experience, we learn from those who have different perspectives on life. We accept that we are different and that we can learn cooperatively in the social, economic, and intellectual world. Diversity is valued because it helps to encourage growth, personal and professional (Schaefer, 2012). The important thing to learn is that as a society we can remember that it’s not about Black, White, Asian, Hispanic or Latino ethnicities but constantly focused on being one with my brothers or my sisters. We could use these words in our everyday lives to face any situation at hand (Kolb 2009). At the end of the day it’s about all our differences, melting into one pot and being stirred only to make a change. “The fusing process goes on as in a blast-furnace; one generation, a single year even—transforms the English, German, the Irish emigrant into an American. Uniform institutions, ideas, language, the influence of the majority, bring us in similar complexion; the individuality of the immigrant, almost even his traits of race and religion, fuse down in the democratic alembic like chips of brass thrown into the melting pot” (Munson-Coan, T). This article though written in 1875 says a significant amount about America. I think by 2050 the U.S. population will be going strong (www.newgeography.com) In the varying cultures, there are some that believe in ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism...
Words: 1332 - Pages: 6
...Social Concept - Race Race is a social concept that a lot of people misuse as a scientific concept when explaining how people act and why they do what they do. Given two separate humans and compare both of their DNA, it is found that they are 99.9% identical. In Robert Sussman’s The Myth of Race, he traces the origin of the word race to the Spanish Inquisition using race to justify Western imperialism and slavery (Racial divide: It’s a social concept, not a scientific one 2014). Companies use race when they want to market to a certain target customer as well as when it comes to the hiring process. A majority of companies contradict themselves by concentrating on an employee’s race for hiring in order to provide an “equal opportunity” employment. As societies break down the interracial border it will be harder to classify a person to a singular race of people. In a study of over 160,000 it was found that on average the African-American genome was 73.2% African, 24% European and 0.8% Native American (Suresh 2015). For someone to claim to be African American, a person only needs “one drop” of African blood in the person’s family history to claim African-American. States in the United States have already identified this flaw in which people are claiming a separate ethnicity to gain an unfair advantage in the job field or college environment. As the race concept gets more complex, several people become increasing uncertain of their own ethnicity and race. When comparing the...
Words: 478 - Pages: 2
...Funny in Farsi Synthesis Theoretical neuroscientist Jeff Hawkins once said: "In grade school, I was taught that the United States is a melting pot. People from all over the world come here for freedom and to pursue a better life. They arrive with next to nothing, work incredibly hard, learn a new language and new customs, and in a generation, they become an integral part of our amazing nation." Firoozeh Dumas' memoir, Funny in Farsi, Pat Mora's poem "Legal Alien,” Anand Giridharadas Ted Talk “A tale of two Americas. And the mini-mart where they collided” and Richard Crowson’s political cartoon, “Great American Melting Pot,” all explain the hardships that lie within becoming a full-fledged American citizen. Gaining your legal documented citizenship...
Words: 1139 - Pages: 5
...Chris Ivy British Literature 29 Oct 2010 Dueling Londons Setting is a central aspect to all works of literature. The Setting of a piece can be used in various ways to drive a point home, and the novels “London Fields” and “White Teeth” are no exception to this rule. Both of the aforementioned novels use London as their primary setting, but they effectively portray it in two very different lights. “London Fields” paints the picture of London as a dark and ominous place full of sleaze and moral decay, while “White Teeth” contrastingly shows London as a mellow melting-pot of cultural assimilation and struggle. “London Fields” uses its slummy London as a center of corruption, drinking, gambling and murder, which allows it to remain functional and consistent with the characters that inhabit its realm of tragedy and utter chaos. The mere essence of this London embodies the very nature of human suffering, and it serves as an omnipotent cloud of impending doom, smothering everyone in its path with a blanket of immorality. Amis reveals the lower-class side of London with the persistent appearance of bars and pubs throughout the novel. This trashy and dangerous side of town symbolizes the downfall of humanity within the characters that frequent its streets at night; the nastier the London, the nastier the people. A prime example of this is depicted through the maniacal deterioration of Guy Clinch. Guy begins the novel as a trusting, upstanding individual whose kind nature is...
Words: 530 - Pages: 3
