...I define race as an alignment of individuals with similar beliefs, culture or skin tone into certain groups with fellow individuals who share a same set of ideals. Furthermore, my classifications are based off where the individual is from, what his/her heritage is and what I personally know about my experiences with his/her culture. However, with the overpowering and over stimulating media that is present today in our culture many people end up having their opinions diluted by the stereotypes that news outlets create. Furthermore, I agree with Omni and Winant when they say that “social identities…are both imposed from above by dominant social groups and/or state institutions. (Omni and Winant pg.107)” based off of my current and past experiences...
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...The concept of identity is a complex and ambiguous one to say the least. What is it about society that makes us feel the need to add the footnote: Jewish, Black, Muslim, etc., to our existence? This self-imposed segregation of our own species thus far, has only served to assist discrimination and hysteria. The blight this casts on society according to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, entertainer Bill Cosby, and writer Tony Judt, is caused by ourselves, creating these race and religious identities in order to feel safer, blame others for own problems, and an attempt to make a perfectly imperfect world uniform. After the terrorist attacks on September 11th 2001, Americas view on Muslim society drastically changed, Muslim Americans went from neighbors and citizens, to potential enemy combatants in the eyes of an overwhelming amount of Americans. Determining whether or not someone was a Muslim became of paramount importance to Americans. Citizens, who were once doctors, lawyers, and politicians especially, now had to identify themselves as a Muslim doctor, Muslim Lawyer, or the dreaded Muslim Politician. It was this type of fear that promoted the controversy over whether Mosque being built near the former site of the twin towers should stand; to which Mayor Bloomberg said “Let us not forget that Muslims were among those murdered on 9/11, and that our Muslim neighbors grieved with us as New Yorkers and as Americans. We would betray our values and play into our enemies’ hands...
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...Distinguish between the concepts of race and racism. Do you agree that the concept of race is socially constructed? Can you use the conceptual framework for understanding identity to understand racial discrimination? ……………………………………………….....………………………………………………………………………………………… ….………………………..………………………………………………………………………….......................................................... To answer the following question, we would go through a re-interpretation of the word race. Followed by the biological, historical and social aspects of race from where race becomes racism (idea of social construction which in itself contains the notion of Identity). When we claim the view of race on identity, we are slowly drifted to the currents of Ethnicity. Race is a modern concept. The English language didn‟t even have the word „Race‟ until 1508 when William Dunbar referred race to a lineage of Kings in his poem. Historical records show that neither the idea nor ideologies of race existed before the seventeenth century. We will now randomly take up a definition of Race, keep it as a base for understanding and then reinterpret it if required. According to “Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy”, the concept of race has historically signified the division of humanity into small number of groups based on five categories. i. Races reflect some type of biological foundations. ii. This biological foundation creates discrete racial groupings such that all people of the same group share the same biological characteristics...
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...Shelby’s “Social Identity and Group Solidarity” he discusses how African Americans must come together and stand up against racial and social injustice. Shelby implies that black solidarity needs to be emphasized more towards the community on how we should be treated equally because we are human and should not be judged based off our race and culture. Race should not limit anyone’s role within the community or deprive them from who they are. K. Anthony Appiah’s “Race, Culture, Identity: Misunderstood Connections” is a perfect example as to why race should not define people as a whole. Appiah believes that we should not be catergozired in these racial groups because it takes away from our nation sticking together as a one. Both authors make it clear that race should not deprive anyone of human rights because every human deserves to have equal rights. Shelby discusses that in order to eliminate the black stereotypical image; African Americans must unite and call upon each other to fight towards racial injustice. Shelby states “Blacks are a people whose members need to work together to bring about their collective self- realization as a people” (585). This statement shows that Shelby strongly believes that African Americans should utilize black solidarity to the best of their capability to end racial injustice and to be treated equally with full freedom. Shelby does not want the reason for blacks to come together to fight for rights to be the identification of race, but to be because...
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...3/15/11 Social Identity Vs Personal Identity In this paper I will discuss the differences and similarities between the two using three texts from June Jordan, Tim Wise, and Avery Gordon as well as give you my personal opinion about the topic. Social identity, in my opinion, is a bad thing as a whole because it doesn't take into account the experiences that any one person has, it just lumps them together. There are many factors that one needs to take into account when discussing these topics and I will try to explain them as best as I can. Social and personal Identity in today’s society is very much blurred, the individual person has his or her own identity that she relates to but when viewed as a whole in today's society people get lumped together with all the same “people” whether that be race, class, gender or status. The first article I will talk about is Tim Wise’s "Preface" and "Born to Belonging” in this article Wise talk about being born to belonging and what he means by this is that white people that are born into white homes don’t usually have to work that hard to get far in life such stated in this quote “We, are unlike people of color, born to belonging, and have rarely had to prove ourselves deserving of our presence here” (Wise 3). What this quote talks about is that the white race is generally seen as the better race, and because of this white people won’t have to work as hard to get good jobs and have a good income. This is a social identity that he presents...
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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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...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, but...
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...economically and politically without understanding that most of the privileges they have historically received are solely due to their race and/or gender. The purpose of this review is to analyze the social construction of whiteness from a theoretical perspective, whites understanding themselves and their social status, in addition to the evolution of whiteness. Many studies have been undertaken on the social construction of whiteness. These studies shed a lot of light on the different perceptions on whiteness, gaps in research, areas of highest research interest, strengths and weaknesses of the various methodologies, and direction for future studies. In the study done by Hartmann, Gerteis, and Croll, the focus was on the theoretical aspects of whiteness studies. The findings led the researchers to estimate that in the United States, 15% of the population exhibit what may be called ‘categorical whiteness’ (404). The study by Hartmann, et.al, was carried out using data obtained during a recent national survey, which helped provide an empirical assessment of the theoretical underpinnings of whiteness studies (Hartmann, et.al 404). Three propositions regarding the awareness and conception of whites about their own racial status were analyzed. The propositions included: the understanding of racial privileges, the invisibility of the white identity, and adherence to individualistic and color-blind ideals. The findings turned out to be consistent with those previously spelled out...
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...Anonymous Race and Identity 512 17 February 2013 Short Paper: 2 One of the main social and political tasks of 1830’s America was to define what it was to be a free American. Challenged by reformist ideals “purifying” the land and the Industrial Revolution cementing capitalism into the framework of the nation’s economy, Black people and Indians found themselves pushed out of the national identity. Much of this struggle can be witnessed through an analysis of American theater at the time. Stereotypical portrayals of Black Americans through Black Face Minstrelsy and of American Indians in Indian Plays highlight how White Americans invented social constructs to dehumanize or ridicule “other’ races and protect an imagined White American identity with no static definition. The basis for arguing in defense of a singular definition or identity begins with the denial of all others. In the case of White Americans, this was accomplished by dehumanizing all “other” races. With the advent of abolition and its ideals permeating society, Black slaves had the hope that freedom was attainable, and free White’s adopted fears of a common people class developing in the future with “unthinkable” consequences like widespread amalgamation. Slavery would no longer be the precondition for separatism. The void was filled in part by theories of racial science as developed by scientists like Craniologist Samuel Morton. According to his studies, races could be determined by the size and shape of their...
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...indigenous people, 7.1% Indians and 7.8% other races. Due to its colonial past under the British rule, ethnicity has been an issue in Malaysia even up till this day. (Noor, 2013) Social identity is based on the assumption that society is structured into different social groups that that will lead to different statuses and power. In Malaysia it is largely based on race and religion. It is a known fact that Malays are given priority in many matters. The Malaysian government supports a Bumiputera centric policy; Bumiputera meaning sons of the soil, with the main intention of recognizing the Malays as the original settlers of the land. (Malaysia Today, 2014). Social categorization is when we segment our world into different groups and identify ourselves and the people around us into these different categories. Its is already mentioned above that in Malaysia, the malays are at the top. It doesn’t help that most of Malaysia’s leaders are muslim, with many prefering to label Malaysia as a Muslim country. Refering to a journal article, The Islamisation of Malaysia: Religious Nationalism in the service of ethnonationalism, The “Islamification” of this country has been ongoing since the 1980s, when Dr Mahathir became the prime minister. Religious identity seemed to have replaced ethnicity as the national identity. Since automatic status is given to Malays/Muslims, the ethnic minority would need to conform to the majority’s social identity in order to be accepted in the Malaysian society...
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...theorist that supports our argument is Patricia Hill Collins. Hill Collins believes that gender cannot be marked as separate to race. Hill Collins theory of race, gender, and class asks us to think about race, class, and gender as interlocking systems of oppression. Multiple levels of domination are experienced through people being oppressed and discriminated. Hill Collins introduces this dominant theory of multiple levels of domination that involves gender as a site of identity and politics that sometimes involves African people. Collins believes that Afrocentric feminism is ultimately anchored in the unique experiences and struggles of ordinary African American women. Gender is always gender when spoken about in any race or nationality....
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...drugs for me?” This is the reality of society. We say racism is gone, but this is how we view each race and define each race. In fact, this is the reality of how each race of child is influenced and raised. Racism still exists not because we haven’t talked enough about it, but because we never try to change it. Likewise, born in a foreign country, I faced this unchangeable problem as an international student with different views. Also through these diverse experiences I came to frame my identity racially and personally throughout my life. “Hey, is racism harsh in America?” “How fast are black people? Do they actually carry guns?” These are questions that I was asked when I went back to Korea this summer. Unfortunately, Internet is a huge network nowadays and it affects everyone in the world. Those questions were not randomly asked, but because that is what people see in movies and news reports. Most racial stereotypes are framed according to what is in the media, the reason they are constructed. For example, recently there was a huge issue in Texas about a 14 year old Muslim genius boy who was arrested because his invention, a homemade clock, was assumed to be a bomb by the teacher. He was arrested and handcuffed because he was a Muslim. I doubt this would have happened if it were another race. Looking at this phenomenon, no one can deny that personal identity and race identity are both consciously and unconsciously created in this society. Likewise, I cannot deny the fact that...
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...When examining the concept of race, it can be said that it is constantly fluctuating because of different factors. Race can be defined as a variable that is shaped by broader societal forces, whether it is political, social or economic forces. It is also important that views on race differ from country to country because of different agendas, whether it be to exert dominance or power over other groups. Race can be considered as a social construction because it is used to maintain hierarchies, as seen through it’s lack of biological support and shifting societal views on race. Race is a social construction because it is constantly changing due to shifting societal views on race. First, it is important to note that a socially constructed concept is an idea that is defined as “a perception of a group, individual or idea that is constructed through cultural or social practice” (Dictionary.com). In other words, society creates an idea of what race is, and how races should be distinguished from one another. Race does not have a consistent definition, and can change based on the society that is being examined. In “Racial Formations”, Omi and Winant discuss the use of race as a social concept and conclude that the definition is not rigid, but is used to maintain domination. Omi and Winant believe that this domination is a result of racial formation”, or the “process in which race operates as a central axis of social relations, which then determine social, economic and political institutions...
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...and contrast Nazi and Italian Fascist views on race and national identity Despite both pertaining to the political ideology of fascism and sharing many similar characteristics, the regimes of Nazi Germany and Italy under Mussolini can be seen to differ slightly. One aspect where this becomes apparent is views on race; the differences in attitudes and policy with regards to race for both examples must be discussed as it provides a key distinction between Nazism and Italy’s own brand of Facismo. With regards to national identity, it is possible to concede that both regimes share similar characteristics; however they attempt to achieve their goals of national identity in fundamentally different ways. The central thesis of this paper will contend that Italian Fascism’s views on race contradict that of the Nazi’s, and that while similar aspects and views of national identity are held, there are differing means of establishing national identity. Moreover, this paper will illustrate that Nazism and Italian Fascism are in fact unique phenomena. Examples and evaluative comment will be provided in order to provide a clear comparison and distinction. Firstly, comparison between Italian and Nazi views on race must be discussed at they provide notable differentiation. Racial theory proved to be of paramount importance to 19th century German science and academics which strongly influenced Nazi ideology, ‘Volkish theorists found a theory of race in the writings of Kant which was based primarily...
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...“The Long Ranger,” is a Native-American man that lives in Seattle, Washington. He lives with his girlfriend (who is a white woman) and drinks frequently. He is unemployed and eventually moves back to his reservation. Sargeant, the protagonist in “On the Road,” is a Black-American man. He is unemployed and looks for salvation at a church. The church refuses his pleas. He acts in rage, and subsequently, he is arrested and jailed. Racism in America has a long-standing tradition from the “March of Tears” to “Bloody Sunday.” Racism is “the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races” (Webster). People of color, such as Black-Americans and Native-Americans, are thought to be inferior to White-Americans. Many people hold this thought and form stereotypes such as certain races being lazy, unintelligent, violent, and etc. In each short story, the...
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