...Name: Yong Cheng Matriculation Number: 203722 Choice of the Question: Number 2 Title: Andreas Walther – Interact and Shifting Between the West and the East Did the question that which ethnic group (or ethnic groups in some cases) that you belong to ever come across your mind when you are alone? I suppose that the question “oh which ethnic group I actually belongs to?” would not bother you in the halfway you are walking, driving, or anything you are doing just by yourself. But when you are interacting with someone else (especially when the person is belongs to other ethnic groups), you come to think of the ethnic identity, your own ethnic identity and others ethnic identity. This is why I tend to see ethnic identity as an interactional identity. On the other hand, ethnic identity is a situational identity, too. In this essay I would discuss about these interactional and situational characteristics of one’s ethnic identity. I will try to explain why am I sees ethnic identity as an interactional and situational identity. I am going to discuss this, because I would like to share my points of view about these characteristics of ethnic identity, after reading some materials regarding these topics. First of all, I would like to introduce you a person who does really mean a lots to me. However, I must stress out that I get to know him, only on paper (I read his book!) but not in the reality. Andreas Walther, 27 years old, currently lives in Hong Kong, and about to move...
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...research: Ethnic identity switching among Latinos in Queens, NY H. Russell Bernard (PI) and Rosalyn Negron (Co-PI) Project summary Problem statement: As the nation’s ethnic diversity continues to grow, things like the distribution of resources, ethnic conflict, and assimilation can not be understood in terms of neatly packaged identities in competition. Today, an increasing number of people regularly switch from ethnicity to ethnicity in normal discourse, in an attempt to maximize their economic and political interests. I propose to examine ethnographically and in depth the process of identity switching – that is, how people negotiate between multiple ethnic identities in everyday contexts – among Latinos in Queens, NY. Methods and analysis: From January to July, I will collect ethnographic data about ethnic identity invocation trends in the research communities, train a research assistant, select twelve participants for continuous monitoring and work closely with them for two weeks each. From August to September, I will train the research assistant further and use the knowledge gained from the ethnographic data phase to design and pilot test a household survey. Between October and December, this survey will be administered to a representative sample of 200 respondents. Using the data collected from these surveys, inferential statistics –odds-ratios, chi-square, and logistic regression - will be used to test the hypotheses. Intellectual merit: While ethnic identity has long been...
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...Social Identity Development: Jones, S. R. & McEwen, M. K. (2000). A conceptual model of multiple dimensions of identity. Journal of College Student Development, 41(4), 405-414. A diverse group of female students at a university was interviewed in examining multiple dimensions of identity to fill a gap in studying development which has only considered a single dimension of identity. The conceptual model proposed for complex identity differentiates the core representing the inner self, how an individual perceives themselves, with the outside identity that is defined by others. Each factual dimension surrounds the core as intersecting rings, asserting the importance of considering multiple dimensions mutually and holistically. The contextual influences are significant to continually relocate the dots on the rings, which...
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...Abstract The point of this paper is to help the reader grasp the different aspects of human identity construction with regards to ones race and/or ethnicity. This is a topic that is incredibly important to all races of people regardless of economic class or whatever else is seemingly more important. It is quite impossible to go throughout life without forming an idea of who you are or where you have come whether you care to make it a part of your daily life, have no choice or acknowledge it when it is convenient; without that knowledge I find it difficult to fully make the most of life. Through the readings from the semester and class discussions I have come to the conclusion that White ethnics choose to either assert their ethnicities thickly or thinly, or they chose to incorporate it into their lives symbolically. Blacks on the other side of the spectrum lack choice in their racial identity because their race is visible and so it is assigned to them. Asians have both the ability to choose to assert their specific ethnicities but they are racially assigned. The issue with racial and ethnic construction is that it is born of social construction-what others believe of your race to be true. This can make the identity construction process much more difficult depending upon your racial or ethnic background. Regardless, I find this to be an important part of the identity construction journey. How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone. ...
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...My Cultural Identity I have never took my cultural identity into consideration before this essay. I've learned that cultural identity is what you believe and the way you live your life. My cultural identity could be related to the informational text “What is Cultural Identity?” by Elise Trumbull and Maria Pacheco. Which talked about defying the words cultural identity. Also the personal essay “ Two Kinds” by Amy Tan that has also taught me about my cultural identity in comparison with other people. With that in mind, parts of my cultural include my love of music, my passion for sports, and my obsession for spicy food. The instrumentation of music is what I connect to most. When I played the trumpet I really felt music. I love how the different...
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...WITWATERSRAND LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY: INVESTIGATING THE LANGUAGE PRACTICES OF MULTILINGUAL GRADE 9 LEARNERS AT A PRIVATE DESEGREGATED HIGH SCHOOL IN SOUTH AFRICA. Submitted by: Nomakhalipha Margaret Nongogo Student Number: 0309644N Supervised by Dr Carolyn McKinney Research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the degree of Masters of Arts in Applied English Language Studies. 2007 ABSTRACT This research report engages with the concern that African learners attending English medium, multiracial schools are losing their proficiency in African languages. In so doing, the report explores the language practices of four multilingual Grade 9 learners at a desegregated private high school in Gauteng. In a school environment that does not overtly support the use of African languages, I explore the extent to which multilingual learners use African languages in the school context, to position themselves and others, as an identity building resource, and the extent to which the use of African languages is implicated in their identities. I also explore the possible influence of the learners’ cultural and ethnic backgrounds on their language practices, and related to this, the expression of their identities. I look at how their language practices help them shift identities with space and purpose, and the contradictions therein. The study draws on poststructuralist theories of language and identity (Weedon, 1997; Zegeye...
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...Exploring My Ethnicity Our amazing country is home to so much diversity and filled with so many different cultures, races, religions, and ethnic groups. Our large variation in this country can be both a blessing and a curse. In our society we are taught to be different from the next person, but in the same instance being different is one of the main reasons we are outcast. When most people are asked,” what is your ethnicity” they usually don’t give it much thought because most people already know their ethnicity and don’t have to do much exploring into their national and cultural background. Many people would simply classify themselves as Caucasian, African-American, Mexican- American, etc. Although we all know the meanings to each of these words, when asked what is your ethnicity we should look at the symbolic and cultural meanings of these words. My ethnicity is African-American, meaning an American who has African and especially black African ancestors Ethnicity is a complex term. Ethnicity is what makes a human who they are as a result of how they are influenced....
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...Introduction – 100 words DEFINITION OF CULTURE IMPORTANCE/ABOUT A CULTURAL SELF-ASSESSMENT This report offers an outline of my cultural identity, particularly on the topics of my profile; key structural forces such as my family; my world views; and the various persona, rational, communal, gender and ethnic identities that combine to make me who I am. Furthermore, this report highlights relevant literature pertinent intercultural communications and in support of my cultural identity, and critically summarises the main findings. To begin, I am a 26-year-old female, nvestigate and describe your own cultural identity. Describe your profile - Age group Gender Class Ethnic background Deep Structures (family context) – 500 words In this section you need to discuss how your cultural identity has been shaped by key structural forces such as your own family. For most people, family is one of the strongest forces of cultural identify. Try to identify how specific family members have influenced your identity. In doing so you need to discuss how your family functions in terms of: Gender roles Individualism and collectivism Age groupings Social skills, traditions and customs Rather than just describing your family, you need to discuss your ideas about the role of family in society and how families function in terms of perpetuating beliefs. In this respect, some of the most interesting discussion will come from instances where people might disagree with their family’s...
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...Intersectionality and what does it mean in various contexts? The term is derived from the word Intersection which means “a point where two or more things intersect.” The term can be used to be refer to one’s identity whether biological, political, sociological, religious or otherwise. An example in this regard can be of a straight white Polish American Catholic Northwestern Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. Candidate male or, an African American United Methodist lesbian female ordained woman. In the United States, the gender identity and sexual orientation are quite important to one’s identity and life as a person. For students of theology and seminarians here in the U.S., the conversation about one’s gender identity,...
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...individuals who elaborate on whether or not each group expects to be treated as a separate entity, or be considered just Americans without the hyphen. Is the United States better off by classifying individuals by their ethnic background? What do we actually gain by these separate entities? Why is the government so concerned on everyone’s ethnic background? These are just a few of many questions that are being discussed and I will answer based on facts. While mixed racial and cultural groups continue to rise in the United States, it seems that the vast majority continues to pursue their separate ethnicity with-in the United States, but when approached abroad with-in another country, they seem to consider themselves as Americans vice African-American, Mexican American, Asian American, etc. (Perez and Hirshmann, “The Changing Racial and Ethnic Composition of the United States). Many Americans have multiple identities that reflect complex ancestral origins, tribal and communal associations, and varied ideological outlooks on race and culture. In general, people do not change their ethnicities as a matter of fashion, but they may emphasize different aspects depending on the circumstances. The United States is better off by classifying everyone by their ethnic background for one simple reason; to accurately report the origins of their parents, grandparents, and more distant ancestors. In many cases, knowledge of ancestral origins is passed along in families or communities,...
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...view their race and identity. Even though many are unsure or unaware of what it really means to have a culture, we make claims about it everyday. Some feel they have a race, while others simply feel they do not. We include based on who fits into this ideal and exclude those who don’t. The fact that culture is complex, learned through common daily experience, conflicting and contradictory, relational because it is learned through interactions with others, and performative, as our interactions are performances within a public domain, is something that people never seem to think about, until we are put in a situation, in which we then become aware that we are different. Our knowledge of culture, ethnicity and identity is subconsciously internalized on a daily basis through constant social interactions. Although the concepts of race and ethnicity are socially constructed, they are real in their consequences. Their affects on the social world can be seen from my very own experiences from institutions, to peer groups, to media representations, and lastly, to how I’ve come to view my own sense of identity. Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood as a child allowed me to constantly become aware that I was different. Through interactions with my peers in elementary school, I noticed that my hair was a different texture, that my color was a lot darker than most, and that I was different. “Give the horse back its hair” were comments that lingered throughout my junior high days, where...
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...Ethnic Themes Skylar Bandalan September 25, 2013 Instructor Solomon One point to remember when writing a comparative paper is that you have to know the material of whatever it is that is being paralleled. The theme I chose to write about is Race and Ethnicity. I am familiar with the theme and I also feel strongly about it which leads me to believe that I can do the topics justice. I chose What It’s Like to Be a Black Girl by Patricia Smith and Child of The Americas written by Aurora Levin Morales. These two authors may not share the same ethnicity; Smith being African American and Morales being Puerto Rican but they have experienced similar internal fights; cultural and personal identity struggles coupled with the need for social acceptance in their worlds. I also felt a personal connection with it seeing as how I am a mix of ethnicities, from Hawaiian, to Filipino, to Caucasian. In this comparative paper, I will discuss the similarities that both authors wrote about as well as the differences. When looking into the theme these two poems share, we can expand our understanding and in some way, reflect on it personally as I have. Both Smith and Morales explain so beautifully in their poems how difficult it was to grow up as young women who were not of Caucasian descent. They both lived completely different lives yet their struggles were comparable because they both suffered racial discrimination and in their writing explained how hard it was to live with what was decided...
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...Stacie Hankinson December 31, 2013 Child of the Americas is a poem by Aurora Levins Morales that addresses social diversity. It is a poem about an American girl who talks about her heritage, as she came from a mixture of various cultures. She also expresses her identity as an American. This poem is truly about cultural diversity and the effort to determine the writer’s ethnicity. The poem is interesting and intriguing and leaves the readers pondering over their own ethnic identity. The author is saying that; Yes I maybe one race but all races live within me and around me. In this paper, I will be identifying figurative language, as well as an example of symbolism and imagery that I found interesting. One might find confusion with trying to determine what cultural background Morales should associate herself with. She is a product of many ethnicities passed down her family lineage and that of the United States of America, where she has grown up. She has the opportunity to be any ethnicity and culture that she wants; Spanish, Jewish or American. She can speak Spanish or English or even mix the two languages. (Morales, 1986). “I speak English with passion: it’s the tongue of my consciousness, a flashing knife blade of crystal, my tool, my craft.” (Morales, 1986) Morales uses figurative language in the form of a metaphor. She relates her spoken language to that of a crystal bladed knife. Crystals are one of the most sought after rare materials and are very valuable. “…born into this continent...
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...contacts in the new country prompted many of these immigrants to settle down in the place the first set down. These immigrants came from various parts of Italy they were scattered all around the US. This paper will look at the common menu of those Italian migrants and look at how it has involved in the community that is now known as the Italian-American. This essay will mainly try to address the significant issues of the process of ethnic identity. This paper will argue that the role of family is very important in advocating ethnic identity. The influence of a very rigid and traditional family institution helped the Italian immigrants whom in the end were known as Italian American to maintain their identity. This is fascinating because despite undergoing changes from generations to generations their tradition is still very much alive and important to them. The paper will further argue this point by looking, the transmission of ethnic consciousness amongst the Italian American. Last but not least we will look at the maintenance of ethnic group boundaries and most importantly, the role of food in such process. Overall, this essay aims to look at the evolution of the Italian migrants in America and how this has affected their everyday food. This paper will articulate all the forwarded arguments and try to answer the main question of whether Americanization disintegrated the original Italian culture and traditions amongst the migrants or have their community managed...
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...Javier Cepeda Harris SYD4700 Reaction Paper #1 1. According to Farley, the concept of race consists of two components: social and physical. Social recognition and identity as a distinct group is important for a group of people to be considered a race. Also, every race is considered to be somewhat distinct in appearance from others. However, the fact that physical appearances matter when defining race is what makes it a “socially constructed” concept. The different races that are known to us today each carry a physical characteristic in which it identifies with, but what is important to note is how these differences were chosen. Society as a whole is what chooses the physical component in race and because of this it varies from time to time and place to place. 2. To support the statement that race is a “socially constructed” concept one must consider that racial formation, which is the process in which race operates as a central axis of social relations (Gallagher 19), is said to be a result of diverse historical practices (Omni and Winant). It is clear that racial terms and identities are something that has been shaped by the general public over time. For someone to claim they are black or white is nothing out of the ordinary in our society today, but what is intriguing is the fact that as recent as the late 19th century such racial grouping would have been quickly challenged. The term “black” came about when the distinction of indentured servitude and racial slavery...
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