1. Ethnic Identity
Conform or Oppose?
The beauty of society is not two persons are identical, we are all diverse and we need to celebrate differences. Race and ethnicity shape the way we
see ourselves and are integral to creating outlooks on society. Ethnicity has a considerable effect on our identity and makes us who we are, and we
need to learn to embrace it. The topic of embracing ethnic identity is very well defined by Jaswinder Bolina in, "Writing Like a White Guy" and by
Gloria Anzaldua in "How to Tame a Wild Tongue." Even though many immigrate to America one should not forget where they come from, being true to
oneself and acknowledging that ethnicity plays an important role for many people in defining their cultural background and race. Cultural identity is a
chance to be part of something bigger than yourself. You are born into a culture and are a living link to your heritage. Cultural identity is what
makes a person unique, it is a mix of different cultures that one is a part of and using them to define yourself. Bolina chooses to be true to his ethnic
identity when asked, "'You're so Americanized, what nationality are you?" She doesn't pick up on the oxymoron in her question. She doesn't hear the
hint of tiredness in my reply. "I was born and raised in Chicago, but my parents are from northern India'" (503). Bolina chooses to not run away from
his true self but rather embrace his differences. Under similar circumstances, some may not have done the same. Being brave enough
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2. Ethnic Identity Essay
Media is a powerful tool for socialization and entertainment that can either diminish or boost an individual's self–perception later affecting their overall
identity. It can be argued however, that the extent of that affect/influence is largely dependent on the strength of the individual's identity before being
exposed to the media. Psychologist Beverly Tatum defines identity as a "complex concept shaped by individual characteristics, family dynamics,
historical factors, and social and political contexts" in order to define ones self (Tatum, 1997). When discussing the complexity of identity, Tatum
addresses the different aspects to forming identity with questions such as "who am I?" "Who do my parents say I am?" "What do I learn form the
media about myself?" (Tatum, 1997). With the high rate of media consumption among children and easier access through technology, children look to
pop culture for cues and sense of identity. As a black woman/girl, being from two historically marginalized groups, ethnic identity is crucial when
looking at the representations of black women in the media. Ethnic Identity is the extent to which someone identifies with a particular ethnic group; it
is a "group based identity formed and developed through a variety of socialization processes, including both personal experiences and mediated
experiences"(Fujioka, 2005). To have an ethnic identity is to relate to a culture, ethnicity, and custom and take pride in it, by knowing its truth and
worth.
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