One way to distinguish a person from the billions of other people in the world is by looking into their ethnicity. Ethnicity may be simplified as just a person’s origin, but arguments have been made that there is more to the world. Joane Nagel, author of “Constructing Ethnicity”, writes about what makes up the word ethnicity along with its uses in social and political spectrums. Nicholosa Mohr also writes about the different perspective of ethnicity and the way people embrace them in her writing “The English Lesson”. From reading both texts, it is possible to make the argument that Mohr’s text supports Nagel’s ideas on the fluidity and situational nature of ethnic identity in the United States. Mohr finds themes from different scenarios in the classroom that can perhaps correspond to many of Nagel’s ideas and theories about ethnicity. Ethnicity is made up of many factors and can be seen through various viewpoints. To cut someone’s identity into specifics can be a difficult task depending on what is being looked at and by whom. Nagel sees this when she writes, “As audience change, the socially-defined array of ethnics choices open to the individual changes. This produces a ‘layering’ (Mcbeth 1989) of ethnic identities which combines with the ascriptive character of ethnicity to reveal the negotiated, problematic nature of ethnic identity. (240)” In this she says that one’s ethnicity can be changed or formatted to fit into a bigger field, varying by who is looking into it. Mohr also sees how different perspectives can play as a factor, when talking about immigrants in the United States. Mohr uses the character if Aldo Fabrizi to demonstrate this, Fabrizi calls out William and says, “What do you think of your paisano. He don’t wanna... ... middle of paper ... ...cities in some area. Mohr had many situations similar to Nagel’s ideas that were brought forward through the English lesson. Mohr insinuates how the immigrants are seen in different perspectives, socially and politically, by American Citizens. Through the “English Lesson” Mohr describes how the change in surroundings over time can influence the construction of ethnicity. She also points out specifics on how some ethnicities have advantages over others. While reading both texts, it was clear that Nicholasa Mohr could provide support to Joane Nagel’s theories and ideas on ethnicity. Works Cited Nagel, Joane. “Constructing Ethnicity: Creating and Recreating Ethnic Identity and Culture”. New York University Press. Washington Square, New York 1998. Mohr, Nicholasa. “The English Lesson”. From in Nueva York by Nicholasa Mohr. (Houston: Arte Publico Press). 1986
In ‘Cultural baggage’, Barbara Ehrenreich described her personal experience and opinion about ethnic and religious heritage. Barbara was born in an immigrant family, With all the information she got, Barbara was unable to find her own ethnic identity. While been frustrated and embarrassed for her incapability of locating her own root, she eventually come to realize that she belongs to the race of “none”, those who think for themselves and try new things, and the race of “none” marches on.
The fancy American Dream has drawn people from all over the world to the United States to push for their upward social mobility. They have a dream and they want to make it come true. At this time Immigrants, into the major cities of the U.S, making them a melting pot. That melting pot has a different ethnic, social and cultural background, some of which contradict each other, while others are very harmonious. Race is often an obstacle to cultural communication and understanding. For this problem, Sherman Alexie his short story “Gentrification”, and Alex Tizon, with his story “Land of the Giants”, have a lot to say about how race is Obstacle to intercultural communication and understanding and that affect people misunderstand.
The ability for people to look at a situation from a different perspective is vital in today’s globalized society. Diversity is the most important core attribute we share that gives us a new perspective to assess situations differently through our diverse backgrounds and upbringings. Unlike Patrick J. Buchanan’s argument in his essay titled “Deconstructing America,” diversity is not a burden, but rather a necessity in America’s culture. Conversely, Fredrickson 's essay titled, “Models of American Ethnic Relations: A Historical Perspective,” illustrated a more precise version of American history that disproves Buchanan’s ethnocentric ideologies. Buchanan speaks of diversity as a narrow, one-way street. The imprecise interpretations of history
The Society for the Study of the Multi-Ethnics Literature of the United States. Spring 2000
In reading the first chapter of Ethnic Myth I was instantly lured in with the first sentence. That states this book is dangerous because it clarifies yet rejects all that is known on race, ethnicity, and immigration in the U.S. Race and ethnicity have always been taboo topics. Like discussed in lecture it is not appropriate for someone to come up and ask “What are you? In this reading Steinberg discusses how racial reparations should be demanded however not in the form of cash
As a European immigrant in the USA, I have encountered many new cultural phenomena in the last 4 _ years that have challenged me to perceive who I am differently. This experience has been even more polarized by the fact that I have lived most of that time in Los Angeles, a melting pot to be reckoned with. Coming to America, I expected these adaptations to my Irish self but the intensity of becoming cognizant of my label of 'whiteness' has mocked the limitations of my anticipations.
“Who am I?” (415). This is the question Leona Thomas asks in her essay entitled “Black and White.” Through the use of pathos, logos, and inductive reasoning Thomas is able to come to a consensus that “I am black and white, both races, both cultures, and both heritages” (418). For Thomas, there is some form of closure as to where she belongs racially and culturally, but many others still lie in ambivalence concerning their race and culture.
An early principle the film explores is that of ethnic attrition. Leon-Guerrero defined in her book, “Social Problems: Community, Policy, and Social Action” ethnic attrition as “individuals choosing not to self-identify
Daniels, Roger. Coming to America: A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life. New York: Perennial, 2002. Print.
This essay will explain the concepts of culture and ethnicity, and it will focus these concepts in ...
In the first Chapter of the book ‘A Different Mirror’ by (Takaki, 1993) the author embarks on a descriptive narrative that tries to elaborate the concept of a multiracial America. The chapter begins with the author taking a taxi ride in which he is subjected to racial discrimination. The taxi driver questions the author’s origin owing to the fact that his English is perfect and eloquent. This incident prompts a discussion that transpires throughout the chapter as the author tries to explain to his audience that America is a multiracial country with different ethnic groups that moved from their homelands to settle in the United States. The chapter discusses the settlement of various racial groups such as; English immigrants, African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicanos and the Irish.
A Different Mirror by Ronald Takaki provides an insight of America’s multicultural nation. He shares the history of the non-European minorities who have settled and contributed to the growth in America. However, many do not view them as Americans today because they still follow the Master Narrative. This teaching only focuses on the European settlement and their history in America, therefore, causing no acknowledgement to the minorities. Takaki challenges the Master Narrative as an incorrect teaching because it does not reflect America’s full history. America has always been racially and ethnically diverse. Thus, he hopes to move them away from the Master Narrative and learn from his teachings that non-Europeans are Americans despite their
American ethnic literature is known today because of the many authors like Cathy Song, Ralph Ellison and Audre Lorde. These authors have made what is today, from the education of children as well. Children are now able to have a political understand of things. We are now able to have the understanding of our world’s cultures and have a greater intelligence on it. Today we have presented an improved understanding to the American society, in the political and economic that today’s world has
Holli, Melvin G. "Race, Ethnicity and Urbanization: Selected Essays." Journal of American Ethnic History 16 (1996): 110-125.
Who am I? Wrestling with identity— our history, our culture, our language— is central to being human, and there’s no better way to come to grips with questions of identity than through the crossing of borders. The transcendence of borders reveals the fluid nature of identity, it challenges absurd notions of rigid nationalities, and highlights our common humanity. It is no coincidence, then, that my experience as an immigrant has shaped my academic journey and pushed me to pursue graduate studies.