The Problems Of Racial Identity - 927 Words

The Problems of Racial Identity Over time certain groups of people have been taken advantage of and treated unfairly. In recent history especially, the groups that are being taken advantage of are those of color. The world is learning faster than ever how important it is to treat people equally and not discriminate against individuals or groups based on the color of their skin. However, the world is not perfect and this is still a slow process. Like in Citizen, this research paper is being written to highlight the problems with society s judgments and discriminations that have become social norms. Furthermore, the development of the idea â€Å"racial identity† has done more negative than positive for people of color. For centuries humans†¦show more content†¦Within The Woman Warrior, the characters face many obstacles while living in America and coming from a Chinese background. The author of the novel, Maxine Hong Kingston, faces some of the most difficult challenges out of the characters. Being a child in a new country, the world has become confusing and scary. With her parents being traditionally Chinese and her teachers being American, Kingston’s life becomes split, therefore splitting her identity. Kingston constantly struggles where to fit in and mold with society at school. Yet as she begins to do so, she begins to struggle with keeping her Chinese identity while at home. One of the most memorable moments in the novel highlights this idea well, where in the last part of the book Kingston begins to argue with her mother, then the mother says, â€Å"That’s what we’re supposed to say. That’s what the Chinese say. We like to say the opposite† (2, pp. 203). Clearly there is confusion between the authors Chinese life and her American life in this dialogue. In addition, Kingston’s Chinese identity ends up causing her problems when trying to figure out her personal identity. This goes to show that racial identity does have negative effects towards people of color. Perhaps a better example of the problems racial identity develops for people of color is inside of the book Citizen, by Claudia Rankine. Citizen is a compilation of poems, shortShow MoreRelatedToni Morrisons The Bluest Eye: Racial and Social-Cultural Problems Dealing with the Lost Identity of Young African American Women2371 Words   |  10 Pagesself-esteem faced by young African American women, due to white culture. My research was guided by these ideas of racism and loss of self, suffered in the novel, by the main character Pecola Breedlove. This text generates many racial and social-cultural problems, dealing with the lost identity of a young African American women, due to her obsession with the white way of life, and her wish to have blue eyes, leading to her complete transgression into insanity.Read MoreMulticulturalism Is America s Unresolved Race Problem911 Words   |  4 Pagesmulticulturalism is America’s unresolved race problem† (Joppke 2011, 36). Indeed, in light of the aforementioned historical processes, multiculturalism began (and developed into the official multiculturalism of the 80s and 90s) as something quite similar to a â€Å"racial project† a la Omi and Winant. 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Every individual has multiple identities Race, ethnic, gender, national, regional, organizational, personal, cyber/fantasy—that act in concert. The importance of any single identity is a result of the situation. As the context varies, you may choose to emphasize one or more of your identities. A conceptual inquiry into race or gender would seek an articulation of our concepts of race or gender (Riley 1988). ForRead MorePositive And Negative Impacts Of Children Essay1603 Words   |  7 Pagesfor the future generation, whereas a bad influence at such a young age can create an obnoxious, negative character in the future. One form of influence that children cannot run from is racial stereotypes. The racial stereotypes in this context refers to the common idea the societies get when they see a specific racial group. This essay will be discussing the relationship between the stereotypes and children’s development, in addition to the future effects of exposing children to this stereotypes. Read MoreThe Life and Legacy of Dr. Kenneth B. Clark: The History of an African-American Psychologist904 Words   |  4 PagesB. Clark’s legacy has lived on and will continue to inspire because, even today, in the 21st century, there are many ideas and problems that Clark addresses in the realm of prejudice and racism that are still relevant in social identity, education and the work place in America. Clark was a social psychologist who was a firm believer in equality, though he knew that racial division would be a difficult task to overcome, he still thought it was a concept that was necessary for America to progress. One