Category: Ethnicity

Native Americans

Native Americans have an interesting history. They are the group of Americans that originally came from the northern side of the American continent. They comprise the Inuit from the northern parts of the continent and the Indians from the southern parts of the continent. The Native Americans lived in clans and were receptive of the British travelers who landed on the island from the pacific.

The Inuit came into northern America between 6000 B.C. and 2000 B.C. The Indians settled in the southern part of the continent. They got their name from Christopher Columbus who thought he was in Indies when he arrived on the American continent.

When the British travelers arrived on the American continent, they found about 90 million Native Americans. The population dwindled as the British drove them off their land to start farming. Many other Native Americans showed heroic concern during the First World War. They lost their lives immensely and some migrated out of Northern America. After the war, the Native American communities were accepted into the American government. According to the census of the year 2000, there are 2.8 million Native Americans left on the American continent.

The Native Americans believed in community life. The lived mainly in tiny groups scattered around the terrain. They constructed igloos or teepees in clusters and shared resources per cluster of housing. The Indians smoked pipes and wore colorful attire made of animal skin. Native Americans today pray to their traditional gods. They also down bead work ornaments and have traditional pipes in their homes. In their communities, there are shrines put up for the prayers to their gods and ancestors for favor and health.

I admire the strong religious believers of the Native Americans. They have a strong sense of culture, which they uphold to this day. Their maintenance of tradition is envy able in many fronts. The Native Americans have sustained their culture and in co-operated it in many communities that integrated with theirs. I admire their belief and respect of ancestors. Their respect for life and death is immaculate. Only few people in the universe can uphold such respect of their community as the Native Americans have portrayed (Cornell & Hartmann, 2007).

African Americans

The African Americans in the northern American continent comprises of many communities of colored skin. They originated from willing migrants from the Jamaican nation and unwilling migrants from the African continent.

The Jamaican migration is based on post-emancipation while the African immigration is based on slavery. In the 1600’s, slavery boomed as a business. Many white farmers who had occupied the northern American continent required cheap and efficient help for their farms. They got theses from slaves brought in from Africa by merchant sailors.

After the slave trade was abolished the slaves became employed Americans. Many willing Africans also migrated into the American continent in search of greener pastures. They made up the African American community. According to the census of the year 1990, they reported that 410,000 Jamaicans followed a similar ancestry. The population of African American now stands at 12.5% of the total American population. This is about 24 million African American people on the continent.

The African American produced there own unique modern day culture. This attributed to, the fact that, many African Americans being different in ancestral backgrounds.

The slave traders collected slaves from vast cultures and customs. The differences in their customs made it difficult to identify with each other thought they were of the same color. With this hindrance, the African American community came up with a culture reach in entertainment. They mainly associated with jazz music and rap music. The come up with unique causal dressing.

The African American communities have a culture of sports and entrainments envied by many. I admire the rap music associated to this group of Americans. It contains influential messages that bring up a hardworking nation and inspires many to achieve their potential in the different fields in life. The African American community also fulfills my quench for entertainment by inspirational jazz music they are associated. There lifestyle of entertainment after the struggle for freedom is fitting.

Hispanic Americans

The Hispanic Americans community in the American continent spans everywhere. They vary from regions within the United States. Most Hispanics are indigenous in America as they come from parts of southern America incorporated in the United States. They consist of Mexicans and Hispanic settlers. Others included slaves and migrants from southern America who sort greener pastures from the rebelled state of Texas that was now part of northern America. More Hispanics came in from states that oppressed them as refugees.

The population of the Americans of Hispanic descent is large. They are the second largest group in the United States. There are over thirty two million Hispanics registered in the Northern American continent. This is about 22.5% of the total population. In the year 2009, there were about seven million undocumented Mexicans in the United States of America. This figure would raise the total number of Hispanics to 29% of the population if incorporated into the system.

The Hispanic communities of the United States of America have a unique culture and believe. The cuisine is mainly based on cheese, chilies and beans. They have brought in their unique traditional culture as serenading and piñatas into the American society. The culture of smashing piñatas and birthday parties is seen throughout the United States. Their culture of bullfighting and cockfighting is common in the southern states of the United States of America. These states include New Mexico and Texas (Harvey & Allard, 2009).

Firstly, I admire the Mexican cuisine. The dishes are hot and spices with rich tastes and full of nutrition. The wine produced by the Hispanic community is tantalizing many. Secondly, their sports are unique. They incorporate animals in there sporting events, which are fit for all families to enjoy. The cockfights require the owners to master the art of training to bring out the best in the cocks. This is also true in the bullfighting scene.

Jewish Americans

The first Jews came into New York America in 1654. They were 23 in number and arrived to the then known New Amsterdam. Their numbers rose to 2500 in the year 1776. In the mid 19th century, the population of Jews in America rose drastically. The Nazi killing of Jews in Europe is the main cause. They were targeted unfairly and killed be Nazis. This fronted them to leave their residence in Europe and look for safer grounds in the American continent.

The population of Jews increased and they sort other ways of living as their merchant nature of living hindered by industrialization. By 1924, there were about 4.65 million Jews in America. The new rules in the United States of America regulated the Jew influx from this year henceforth. In the last Jewish count noted, the American census board estimated about six million Jews in American. This accounts for about four percent of the total American population. The Jews population has been steady since then.

The Jewish American people are very religious in nature. They have passed their religious fete from generation to generation and have maintained their religious culture in the American society. They have built Jewish schools in America to raise their children in religion and Jewish culture. Their children are taught Hebrew to facilitate their practice of Judaism. They believe in the punishment of evil and return of the messiah.

The Jewish festivals fascinate me the most. In the Jewish American culture, they have a different calendar. Their holidays occur on different days in every year. Their new year occurs in October or September of every year. A big holiday takes ten days to complete. At this time, they reflect on the happenings of the previous years. The enjoy honey dipped apples on the day before the new year to signify growth and prosperity of the coming years.

Muslim & Arab Americans

The Muslims and Arab American community arise from rich ancestral roots of Arab nations. Majority of the Arab American community trace their roots back to Lebanon. Many Arabs migrated to America to spread Islam religion. They searched everywhere for a following and ended up in the American continent. Other Muslims and Arabs arrived to the continent as slaves. As the slave trade continued in Africa, the spread of Islam was also getting its roots in the region so the two ended up in the American continent.

As per the census carried out in the United States in 1990, there were 870,000 Arabs in the United States. This confirmed the migration from the Arab nations. In the census, they also suggested that 82 percent of the Arabs in America are registered as citizens. Arab scholars argue that the figure is greatly reduced. According to their records, there are more than three million Arabs in the USA. This is based on their Muslim mosque records.

The Arabs and Muslims in America also uphold a great sense of tradition, religion and culture. They dislike negative attitudes of premarital sex especially for their female members of the group. They maintain strong family ties all their lives. The also uphold female fidelity and chastity. Socially they a deprived of culture in the American society. The American society is filled with sex and scandals that the Arabs do not like being associated.

The most pronounced thing I like about the Muslim community is the way they uphold the family virtues. They believe in strong family bonds, chastity and virginity. With the current trends in the American society influenced by the media, these virtues go a long way in keeping families together and avoiding unnecessary crime and murder. Their role in maintaining innocence until marriage controls lots of high school pregnancies and marriage breaking up.

Chinese & Japanese Americans

Chinese, like many other immigrants, were motivated to go to the United States of America by similar motives. They moved from the gold mountain to the United States to search for exemplar economic opportunities. Others left their Chinese states in search of work as contract laborers and many others as refugees. They were the target by other immigrants and were discriminated by laws. They were the first group of immigrants to be denied citizenship by the congress.

Due to these discriminative acts by the congress and the population at large, the Chinese Americans and Japanese Americans population dwindled. They comprise of about 2.7% of the total population of the United States of America. This is the lowest figure of the American groups in the United States of America. Discriminative acts are seen to control the growth of certain groups in the American continent as the Jews and the Chinese, but it was necessary to control the influx of immigrants.

Cultural conflicts have not belittled the Chinese and Japanese culture though their population was controlled. Many Chinese and Japanese cultures have found their way in the American culture. Chinese medicine of acupuncture is widely used in the United States. The use of chopsticks and ordering of Chinese foods has taken over many American households. Chinese ceramic cutlery and dishes are widely used in the American society.

Chinese medicinal tea is also widely accepted by the Americans in homes and cafeterias. I really adore Chinese medicine. They are an easy way of detoxifying the body and full body health. The Chinese medicine helps as treat internal ailments with non-invasive methods. The massage and acupuncture are the best examples of these medicines.

There herbal tea is a preventive agent with treating abilities. A regular usage of the tea maintains perfect body metabolism, sharpness and detoxifies the system of damaging toxins. These traditional modes of treatment will never be revolutionized.

Summary

A multicultural society is a perfect blend to a growing society. Different cultural aspects contribute to growth of different sectors of society. The United States society has brought in different aspects of the different American groups to build a unique identity. The unique identity incorporates the following attributes of its members. America is portrayed as the land of opportunities and the different groups have contributed different material to support this concept.

The communal living and artistic traditional trends of the Native Americas has created a sense of origin for the American nation. The people of the first liberation and those who fort the war for liberation of America are associated by the image of the natives. The African American society brought in the aspect of music and sport to the community. They excelled in production of motivational musical material and excelled in a contact sport. They brought in the spirit of freedom and achievement in the society (Schaefer, 2011).

The Hispanic American community added culture to the American society. The deep cuisine and cultural concept enriched the American tradition. The Muslim and Arab Americans brought in the sense of religion and belonging. Their deep-rooted belief in family and chastity brings in the sense of belonging in families of the United States. The Jewish community brings in the sense of religion and tradition. It portrays the American culture as highly religious in the tradition of Americans.

All the different identities of the different groups in America consolidate as one to make and American society. With the specs of each community put together to create a unique social concept that portrays America as a land of opportunity that serves god and believes in tradition.

In the employment sector of the United States, we see the American communities employed in their strengths. The African Americans flock the entertainment and sports scene. The Hispanic population is majorly caretakers due to their cultural nature. The Chinese fill the traditional medicine, food and culture jobs.

The Native Americans are political in nature while the Jews base their businesses on art and culture. The sectors are not selective or discriminative in employment as the society intermingles in filling the vacancies. The tendency to do what one deems best influences the number of the community members in the field.

References

Cornell, S. E., & Hartmann, D. (2007). Ethnicity and race: making identities in a changing world. New York: Pine Forge Press.

Harvey, C. P., & Allard, M. J. (2009). Understanding and Managing Diversity (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Schaefer, R. T. (2011). Racial and Ethnic Groups (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

People are different not only because of their appearances, habits, preferences, and behaviors but also because of their definite ethnic characteristics. It is important to note that the role of ethnicity as the significant factor of the individual’s development associated with the person’s identity can be discussed from several different perspectives which are the personal identity, the fact of belonging to a definite community, and the position in the society.

From this point, the question of ethnicity is closely connected with the concepts of identity and race. Ethnicity can be discussed with references to the national identity, and this aspect can influence the individual’s position within the certain society positively, negatively or it can have no obvious effects.

Although the fact of belonging to a definite ethnic group can influence the individual’s position in the society in a different way, it is necessary to state that ethnicity should be discussed as the influential factor only with references to its role in the personal and social interactions.

Race is the general notion in relation to which the world population is differentiated according to some biological characteristics. However, race as well as ethnicity can be discussed as predominantly social notions. According to Cornell and Hartmann, “races … are not established by some set of natural forces but are products of human perception and classification.

They are social constructs” (Cornell and Hartmann 23). In this case, ethnicity which is based on the definite culture, history, language, religion, customs, and traditions helps determine the social identities and divide people in ‘we’ and ‘others’ (Cornell and Hartmann).

Many people agree that sometimes this kind of differentiation can lead to conflicts between the representatives of various ethnic groups which are caused by stereotypes and prejudice and by the inability to accept the differences. Many modern societies are multiethnic that is why it is important to concentrate on the role of ethnicity in their development.

Ethnicity can be discussed as an individual and collective notion. Today, people are involved in a lot of social circles which can include the representatives of different ethnic groups.

The studies support the fact that members of a family often belong to one ethnic group, but when spouses are the representatives of different ethnic group the role of their ethnicity become significant for the spouses’ personal development and as the aspect of children’s upbringing.

Thus, ethnicity as the concept of an individual’s identity which develops in family does not provoke conflicts because it is taken-for-granted. The different situation can be observed while discussing ethnicity as the collective notion.

Ethnicity explicitly defines the interpersonal relations when it is associated with a kind of racial discrimination. Thus, many young African-Americans state that their race and ethnicity influence their social position. This position is often based not on their personal characteristics, but on the other people’s perceptions of them.

In this case, it is possible to speak about the invidious status of definite races and groups in the society. However, the question of race and ethnicity is not always prominent because it depends on the combination of such factors as ethnicity, gender, class, age, and religion.

If African-American respondents concentrate on the aspects of discrimination, the representatives of Latino ethnicity are inclined to agree that their ethnicity provides some social boundaries in their interactions with the other ethnic groups. However, in most cases, ethnicity is significant for them as the source of their cultural difference and identity.

Moreover, ethnicity influences their self-actualization more than their social status, and the representatives of the other ethnic groups support the viewpoint that the factor of ethnicity is influential for the individual’s finding his personal and social identity in being the part of a community and sharing the meanings.

The progress of globalization processes and the development of modern multiethnic societies result in persons’ paying less attention to ethnic differences in comparison with the situation which was typical for the parents and grandparents’ generation. The conflict of ethnicities at social settings is not as developed today as it was earlier.

Expanding their social circles, people usually do not focus on ethnic attributes and differences as the causes for conflicting or discriminating. Furthermore, today the notion of ethnicity is more significant for stating the personal identity with which social, cultural, and national identities are associated.

It is possible to conclude that today the role of ethnicity for developing social relations and taking the definite social position is rather exaggerated, and the ethnic factor is not as important as it was decades ago. However, there are examples of conflicts based on racial and ethnic misunderstandings and misconceptions which can lead to the development of prejudice in the society directed toward this or that group.

Nevertheless, ethnicity is important as well as the national identity because it is the base for the person’s cultural development, for forming his notions about freedom and boundaries. Providing the fundament for the collective identification within the community, ethnicity is also the source of the person’s self-actualization.

Work Cited

Cornell, Stephen and Douglas Hartmann. Ethnicity and Race: Making Identities in a Changing World. USA: Sage Publications, 1998. Print.

Introduction

Gender diversity is a common form of diversity in different groups of people. Initially, there were few women participating in such things as education and paid employment. Nowadays, many women are participating actively in the work force. This has led to changes in gender- based proportions in various work places. Another dimension of cultural diversity is racial diversity. A race can be distinguished from other races by the physical characteristics that seem to be passed on genetically. In any group of people, one can find the distinctive features that differentiate one race from another, and these differences cause cultural diversity.

The other notable dimension of cultural diversity is ethnicity. Ethnicity refers to a group of people who identify with each other through a common language, heritage and an ideology that consists of a common ancestry. It is a fantastic opportunity to share and learn about people of different cultures and how they can use their knowledge to operate together as one. Religion is also a dimension of cultural diversity. Most people have different religious affiliations that guide them. People act in a certain manner depending on whether they profess to Christianity, Hindu, Muslim or other religious groups. This diversity has been there throughout the entire history (Schaefer, 2011).

The other key dimension of cultural diversity can be said to be geographic origin. In a group of people, one may find a difference in the geographical backgrounds of these people. The geographical difference can be in the form of continent, country or state. These people have culturally diverse opinions and thoughts, which they can share as they live together as one. Sexual orientation is a dimension of cultural diversity. People can be born with various sexual orientations and others may develop these orientations as they grow. Some people are homosexuals, bisexuals or heterosexuals who can be said to possess diverse thoughts and opinions.

Common elements in the Members of My Social Circle

Most people in my social circle confess the Christianity faith, and they act according to Christian values. In Christianity, there are several denominational partitions of faith such as Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian Church and others. My ethnicity and culture can be defined by both Portuguese and French, and remains to be my guiding forces when it comes to culture. The differences with other people of various ethnicity, religion and culture, can be said to be language, food, morality, beliefs, dressing and mannerisms (Harvey & Allard, 2009).

The Difference Between Diversity And Inclusion

Inclusion can be defined as the way of accepting and making people feel comfortable in an institution, organization or a group of people. Diversity refers to the process of making policies that encourage people to tolerate others that are from different background. Inclusion is a policy that enables all people feel valued for their abilities, perspectives and opinions. Diversity represents a group of people comprising of a different race, religion, geographical origin, gender, disabilities and sexual orientation.

Importance Of Work-place Diversity Training

Diversity refers to The Equal Opportunities Employment order that should be set up to democratize career growth and employment opportunities. Diversity enables institutions and corporate to get all round corporate growth. This is because it helps in creating wider talent resources, capturing the best traits, knowledge sharing and marketing, increased productivity, reduction of prejudices and enhancement of humanitarian comradeship.

Experience With Workplace Culture On Inclusion

There is an aspect of inclusion in various departments of the work place. People from different racial, cultural and religious groups usually work together and must be guided by certain policies that enable everyone to feel valued and accepted. However, there should be more inclusion in an organization to ensure that every person feels comfortable regardless of his or her cultural diversity.

References

Harvey, C. P., & Allard, M. J. (2009). Understanding and Managing Diversity (4^th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Schaefer, R. T. (2011). Racial and Ethnic Groups (12^th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

The chapter in Guest’s book on ethnicity and nationalism helps the reader to see the difference between national identity, and ethnicity. However he notes that both are mostly a “cultural construction”. (Guest 241, 255). Using examples from history, for example, the nation of France, he points out that unified nation states are very modern. In earlier times, people were loyal to their town, not necessarily other towns and cities in their area.

Nation states could develop identity after the invention of printing, improved communications, and education (Guest 256) Ethnicity is also a human invention. It is based on shared characteristics, but the choice of characteristics seems to be widely variable, and often based on non-biological aspects of a person (Wareing, Singh and Peccei 18).

Hubbard discusses the social construction of the sexual behavior and identity in her essay. She makes the argument that an explanation for who a person is attracted to is perhaps not biological. She calls this ‘bio-determinism’. She also makes the argument that childhood experiences are not necessarily able to explain who someone likes. She calls this attitude ‘psychological determinism’. She also makes a point about devaluing feelings when they are not directed towards what is considered normal (Hubbard 167).

This reminded the reader of the list of privileges that Peggy Macintosh observe that white people possess (Macintosh n.pag.). Perhaps valuing sexual feelings is a privilege as well.

Salzmann’s chapter on critical advocacy is quite complicated. The author begins by discussing feminism, and pointing out that it is not a theory. It is a social movement like the civil rights movement (Salzman 113). It is different from a theory like social process, for example, as described in Salzmann’s earlier section (Salzman 113) (Salzman 31-48). In the chapter, the author lists a number of different approaches to studying the position of women in society.

Then the author begins to list and describe different ways of doing anthropological studies. The more modern approach is to admit that one is involved and not just an outsider looking it. The author suggests that an observer is always going to reflect their own point of view (Salzman 114-121). This is a bit discouraging, since this reader will be observing something quite unfamiliar in the assigned ethnography for this course. Based on what Salzmann says, it seems as though it is impossible to be objective (Salzman 117).

Wareing, in the chapter about language and gender, provides many examples of the ways that the English language can be sexist (Wareing, Singh and Peccei 76-93). This includes not only obvious insulting remarks, like the things that construction workers sometimes shout at women when they pass by. It also includes the prefixes of names, such as Mr., Mrs., and Ms., which reveal whether a woman is married or not. Wareing shows how all these forms of address can all mean something sexist. It makes the reader wonder about other languages and whether they also have the same characteristics. This seems like a possible example of a way that culture defines sexuality (Lorber 113).

The article by Hernann presents the point of view on feminism as a person participating in society. The writer talks about feminism as a husband. He offers advice on how to live one’s life as a supporter of the rights of LGBTQ people. He discusses two terms that add to the list of things we should avoid: heteronormativity and cissexism (Hernann n.pag.). This is a very interesting application and extension of the ideas expressed in Peggy Macintosh’s article on white privilege (Macintosh n.pag.).

Works Cited

Guest, Kenneth. Cultural Anthropology: A Toolkit for a Global Age. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2013. Print.

Hernann, Andrew. “4 Lessons from the Trenches of Allyship.” 2014. everydayfeminism. Web.

Hubbard, Ruth. “The Social Construction of Sexuality.” Social Construction of Difference and Inequality : Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality. Ed. Tracy. E. Ore. New York: McGraw Hill, 2006. 164-168. Print.

Lorber, Judith. ““Night to his Day”: The Social Construction of Gender.” The Social Construction of Difference and Inequality: Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality. Ed. Tracy E. Ore. McGraw-Hill, 2011. Web. 112-119.

Macintosh, Peggy. White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack: Working Paper 189. White Privilege and Male Privilege: A Personal Account of Coming To See Correspondences through Work in Women’s Studies. 1998. Web.

Salzman, Phillip Carl. Understanding Culture: An Introduction To Anthropological Theory. Prospect Heights: Waveland, 2001. Print.

Wareing, Shân, Ishtla Singh and Jean Stilwell Peccei. Language, society and power: an introduction. Ed. Ishtla Singh and Jean Stilwell Peccei. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 2004. Print.

Joseph Lelyveld offers an incisive look at the impact of race in American society. Although the content of the literature was written barely a decade ago, it depicts a significant transformation that has already taken place in the perception of racism. Lelyveld is categorical that the race of an individual does not determine his or her destiny. The role that has been played by the Assembly of God church is indeed commendable (Lelyveld 9). The editor attempts to inject the element of Christianity in addressing the ill effects of racism. It is interesting to note that the church in general has played a major part in reshaping the state of racism in America. Full integration of several races has been attained with the assistance of the church institution.

Needless to say, the blacks were highly disregarded in American society a few decades ago. It appeared like a curse for a black person to closely interact with a white person. However, the teaching portrayed by the church has significantly leveled the ground for all races since all of them are headed to the same heaven irrespective of skin complexion. Lelyveld gives an example of an elderly woman being hugged by a black man. The latter could have been a taboo some years ago. Several parishioners have developed a lot of affection that can be considered to be genuine. As a result, American society is currently some of the terse racial concerns and questions that shrouded their thoughts before the turn of the century (Lelyveld 16). For example, can integration be considered a blessing or a betrayal? Several black people seem to be wondering in the same line of thoughts. Is integration helpful or even acceptable in modern American society? Is it really necessary for the church to highlight the issue of race or even minister about it to the flock? Are there any burdens associated with the ‘blending in’? Can the church be equated to other common neighborhoods or associations where people meet for the sake of enjoying the short term benefits of integration? The eye-opening book discusses some of the touchy issues queried in the latter questions.

It is also worth mentioning that alienation and misunderstanding have been depicted as the key attributes of race in American society. Nonetheless, there are good indicators of outreach to the rest of American society. The pursuit of unity and reconciliation is evident.

Kymberly N. Pinder bravely addresses the impact of racism from an artistic point of view. The book offers a comprehensive anthology in regards to the issue of race and racism in general (Pinder 1). It is also one of the pieces of literature that have circumnavigated the element of the race from various perspectives. The editor has placed the racial presentation issues in the open. Throughout the book, Kymberly highlights and explores the history of Nubians and how they were racially affected by the social systems during the period depicted in the book. The Nubian community and the influence of ancient art have been merged so well that the reader can easily grasp the events that took place several decades ago through visual art.

In addition, the western masters also practiced memorable traditions that aggravated the state of racism. Case studies of Picasso and Manet have also been explored in the book. Racism was not just highlighted by the ancient pieces of art. In this particular book, Kymberly has brought up the contribution of modern artists who have successfully highlighted racism through art. The modern artists have been depicted as the ‘artists of color’ due to their massive use of visual representation in describing the negative impacts of racism (Pinder 7).

One of the interesting attributes of this book is the systematic arrangement of events as they took place in the history of Nubians. For instance, the chronological analysis of multiculturalism is crucial in the book because it assists the audience to understand how the theme immensely contributed to the devastating effects of racism in the ancient history of the Nubian community. The presence of several cultures and the dominance of just a few of these cultures culminated in the practice of racism. Post-colonialism is also an interesting theme in the book that describes the period after the end of the colonial era. Although racism was not abolished after the colonial era, its detrimental effects were brought under some control.

The critical race theory employed by the author in the analysis of racism is a vital tool in the book in the sense that it offers a mirror through which comparisons can be made accurately. Racial visibility is yet another concept explored in the essays. This has been combined with the aspect of racial politics. Can the ancient art bear the imposition of contemporary concepts of the race? Is there any relationship between orientalism and pictorial realism? How can the racialized dimension and the visual culture b beneficial to modern artists? The essays have attempted to address some of these terse questions (Pinder 10).

Susan Saulny offers a new dimension in the sense of identity. The author notes that most modern colleges are comprised of students of mixed races. As a matter of fact, intermarriage and immigration are rapidly propelling the demographic shift of the US population (Saulny par. 1). Out of every seven marriages, there is a mixed-race family. The data obtained from the Pew Research Center reveals that Americans have become extremely integrated as one society in spite of the bitter past that was punctuated with racism. The number of multiethnic and multiracial families is continually increasing. They are generally referred to as the mixed race.

Another fascinating issue is that the color lines are sharply being rejected by several young adults in the United States. In general, the multiracial population is the most growing segment of the American population today bearing in mind that mixed-race unions are now readily being accepted than it used to be a century ago (Saulny par. 5).

From the analysis of the above three readings, a number of questions can be raised. For example, are there changing dimensions in the aspect of racism across the globe. What are some of the social, economic, and political determinants of racism in modern society? How can contemporary artists employ visual art to depict social ills that have ravaged human society for centuries? Are there any negative concerns about racial integration in American society? Can religion be used as a cornerstone of strengthening social values? How can governments and social institutions across the world alleviate the historical impacts of racial segregation? What was the contribution of colonialism in the propagation of racism in America and other parts of the world?

The ideas presented by the above authors also tend to overlap in several ways. For instance, the changing racial paradigms have been presented as a common theme across the board. In all of the readings above, the authors have vividly brought out the aspect of positive change towards racial differences in society. Second, the element of the negative effects of racism in the history of humanity has also been brought into the limelight. However, there are also various conflicting points of view presented by the authors in each of the readings. Joseph Lelyveld is emphatic that the church can provide the required solution to end racism in society. On the other hand, Kymberly Pinder stresses the input of visual art. The author is apparently convinced that modern artists can employ visual art to sensitize society against social ills. Hence, racism can be adequately addressed through the work of art. Susan Saulny adopts a very different perspective in regards to the changing phase of racism. The author observes that racism is gradually being brought under control by the rapid growth of multiracial families in American society. The new crop of families has defied the negative perceptions of multiculturalism and multiracialism.

On a final note, my personal experience in life can also be related to the above readings. To begin with, I have lived in a society where race is a critical consideration in almost all segments. For example, some races are considered unfit to lead or hold reputable public positions in governance. The social status of some immigrants has also deteriorated for a long time. It appears as if our government is not giving key attention to certain segments of the population. I have also witnessed racism being applied even in learning institutions. During my elementary school years, I noticed the open segregation of some black immigrant children in my class. The teacher could hardly give them adequate attention even when they asked important questions.

Works Cited

Lelyveld, Joseph. Introduction to How Race Is Lived in America. New York: Times Books, 2001. Print.

Pinder, Kymberly. Introduction to Race-ing Art History: Critical Readings in Race and Art History. New York: Routledge, 2002. Print.

Saulny, Susan. Race Remixed: Black? White? Asian? More Young Americans Choose All of the Above. 2011. Web.

Introduction

The social sciences were designed to study individuals and society and encompass many disciplines, both humanities and STEM ones. Such interaction contributes to the emergence of innovative and groundbreaking theoretical frameworks, methodologies and practices, but creates new scientific problems. One of them is that some anthropological and sociological terms, concepts, and variables are too broad and have too high interchangeability. It could potentially distort the intentions of the researchers and undermine the accuracy of the research. One such interchangeable social work variable with a wide meaning that needs to be clarified is ethnicity (Blakemore, 2019). Another reason this particular term was chosen is the growing popularity of ethnic studies and related courses and classes (Flannery, 2020). This work aims to provide a new conceptual definition for such a complex social variable as ethnicity.

What Ethnicity Is

The categorization of individuals in terms of ethnicity is based on a combination of primary or inherited aspects, such as race and genetics, and secondary or acquired ones, including language, dialect, culture, religion, tradition, and rites. Inherited elements are called paramount because it is the race and genetics of a person that are the unchangeable influencing internal characteristics of a person. They define to a large extent secondary attributes the individual will obtain in the course of the formation of their ethnic identity. It is crucial to note that the genetic aspect of ethnicity implies not only the genes possessed by a person but also their biological parents and genealogy. Heredity and membership are conceptually close to ethnicity; it means both of these concepts (Onuch & Hale, 2018). This first group of factors describes and explains the category of heredity within ethnicity.

The group of acquired aspects of ethnicity is titled secondary because they can potentially be changed. A person may lose or even not obtain some of the elements of their ethnicity during his or her lifetime. An individual may not know the native language of their ethnicity due to growing up and living in a non-native territory or forget it due to moving to another country. The same goes for dialect, culture, religion, rites, and tradition. The reasoning behind why these factors are crucial for defining ethnicity despite their highly changeable status is that they serve as external channels for transmitting information within an ethnic group. They form a sense of membership, a “we-they distinction” crucial for internal ethnic self-identification and external recognition by others (Eriksen, 2019, p. 31). However, one must be careful when studying ethnicity through the prism of religion. Religion is not always an aspect of ethnicity; this is especially true of major religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Believers of these and other global faith communities include many ethnic groups.

Conclusion

This work attempts to provide a conceptual definition of ethnicity. Ethnicity in the social sciences is a combination of primary biological and secondary societal elements. The former implies racial origin and genetics, while the latter means language, dialect, culture, religion, tradition, and rites. The hierarchy of ethnicity elements is based on the properties of primacy and substitutability. It is essential to mention that religion is not always an aspect of ethnicity and ethnic identity. Universal religions such as Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism that are egalitarian and inclusive in nature should be considered a tertiary factor in ethnicity.

References

Blakemore, E. (2019). Race and ethnicity, explained.National Geographic. Web.

Eriksen, T. H. (2019). The epistemological status of the concept of ethnicity.Anthropological Notebooks, 25(1), 27-36. Web.

Flannery, M. E. (2020).Ethnic studies classes growing in popularity. National Education Association. Web.

Onuch, O., & Hale, H. E. (2018). Capturing ethnicity: The case of Ukraine.Post-Soviet Affairs, 34(2-3), 84-106. Web.

Images and Figures

Ashcroft, R. T., and Bevir, M. (2017) ‘Multiculturalism in contemporary Britain: policy, law and theory’, Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, 21(1), pp. 1-21, Web.

The article addresses questions of multiculturalism in the UK, emphasising certain historical processes from the Second World War until the modern days. Although the authors work at the University of California, their knowledge of political science and the use of various references demonstrates a thorough understanding of the subject. Ashcroft and Bevir suggest that the previously primarily White population in the UK has changed since WWII and is now characterised by a combination of various cultures and communities. Relevant to the essay question, the article discusses the historical and cultural aspects of decolonisation, “British identity,” and immigration (p. 5). However, to expand the question, the authors also consider political aspects of multiculturalism. For example, the article mentions the recognition of the need to assimilate British values and traditions for immigrants and ethnic minorities. Overall, the article provides an insight into cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity in the UK after WWII.

Bertossi, C., Duyvendak, J. W., and Foner, N. (2020) ‘Past in the present: migration and the uses of history in the contemporary era’, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 47(18), pp. 4155-4171, Web.

Coming from different backgrounds, Bertossi, Duyvendak, and Foner discuss how certain features of the past affect modern debates of migration in several areas. For instance, the article suggests that specific interpretation of the past affects the immigrant-friendly public culture. The authors address the connection between memory, history, and migration with a focus on positive perceptions of immigration. In relation to the essay question, the article states that the concepts of race and ethnicity are produced in connection to memory and history. While the authors mention such connections in the UK, they also include research conducted in several European countries and the US. The article examines history and migration with regard to ethnicity and race, presenting an opportunity to make comparisons between different countries.

Bulmer, M., and Solomos, J. (2018) ‘Why do we still talk about race today’, Ethnic and Racial Studies, 41(6), pp. 997-1013, Web.

In their article, Bulmer and Solomos analyse the importance of race and its impact on society. With regard to the essay question, the article discusses the historical process of studying race as a social category since the 1950s. In the UK, in particular, the authors mention the first crucial survey of race and its results. Furthermore, outside the perspectives of the UK, the article raises the questions of collective social identity in relation to race and ethnicity. The authors suggest that while identity is a feature of one’s personality, it also characterizes one’s social relationships with others. Overall, Bulmer and Solomos have combined several pieces of research, providing insight into modern discussions about race, society, and history.

Frieman, C. J., and Hofmann, D. (2019) ‘Present pasts in the archaeology of genetics, identity, and migration in Europe: a critical essay’, World Archaeology, 51(4), pp. 528-545, Web.

Unlike other articles mentioned in this bibliography, this one focuses on the impact of aDNA analyses on discussions of migration and identity in Europe. For instance, Frieman and Hofmann suggest that the remains of a person found in a cave in Britain’s southwest can raise questions about race and geography. The article implies that genetic research assists in making connections between cultures, such as migration resulting in certain populations bringing innovation to other areas. In relation to the essay, the article describes certain aspects of the indigeneity of British people. While most of this bibliography’s articles provide the basis for discussion of ethnicity and race since after WWII, this study presents genetic research on the spread of cultures.

Kamasak, R. et al. (2019) ‘Race discrimination at work in the United Kingdom’, International Perspectives on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 6, pp. 107-127, Web.

When discussing ethnicity and race, one should analyse the state of discrimination. The article examines race discrimination at the workplace in the UK, focusing on Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME). Related to the essay question, Kamasak et al. analyse historical processes of colonialism in the UK. The article states that despite the UK being a multicultural country these days, its historical legacy still affects society. Furthermore, the authors analyse public debates on ethnic diversity and equality. The article also mentions race riots in UK history and their legislative outcomes. While the article focuses on race discrimination at work, it provides more information on the history and public debates on race and ethnicity.

Platt, L., and Nandi, A. (2018) ‘Ethnic diversity in the UK: new opportunities and changing constraints’, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 46(5), pp. 839-856, Web.

The article combines discussion on ethnic minorities in the UK as a country with diverse groups of immigrants. In this bibliography, most of the articles focus on historical processes behind ethnicity and race, but this one provides more information on their current state with regard to culture and identity. For example, Platt and Nandi mention the changes in ethnic minorities as a result of time spent in the UK, such as their educational and occupational profiles. Furthermore, those changes, along with multiculturalism, also affect ethnic majorities. The article shows the outcomes of historical processes on representatives of different cultures.

Schaffer, G., and Nasar, S. (2018) ‘The white essential subject: race, ethnicity, and the Irish in post-war Britain’, Contemporary British History, 32(2), pp. 209-230, Web.

Some of the mentioned above articles analyse ethnicity and race, centering on Black and Asian cultures after WWII. However, when discussing such questions in the UK, one should consider the Irish population, who were the largest group to enter post-war Britain. Schaffer and Nasar discuss historical processes in relation to Irish immigrants, race, ethnicity, and identity. The article examines the concept of “whiteness” and the biases related to it. Furthermore, the authors compare how the government used to treat Irish, Black, and Asian immigrants, such as encouraging them not to follow their past traditions. The article presents more insight into various cultures and the development of discrimination in the UK.

Abstract

Man’s desire for knowledge and success has over the years expanded beyond the restrictions of localities and regional boundaries. As such, business mergers and other agreements have been made between business entities in search of a larger market base, resources and human capital. The occurrences of such interactions have over the years brought the human race closer to each other than ever before despite their varied differences in cultures, goals and objectives.

Consequently, corporations and business organizations have been forced to restructure their modes of operation in order to accommodate and utilize the benefits that can be accrued from having a diverse workforce. This paper shall in detail address the issue of ethnicity and how best it can be managed within the work environment.

Introduction

One of the things that make human life intriguing and captivating is the diversity and variation exhibited by various people as a result of their differing cultures (ethnic background), personalities and physical appearances. Through the years, different groups of people have come up with cultures which help them develop spiritually, morally and mentally. As such these cultures have become building blocks in their lives and work places.

It therefore stands without doubt that developing an organizational culture is pivotal to the success of any business endeavor. Consequently, the questions that are left wanting are: How does organizational culture influence employee’s response to organizational change? And, what effective approaches do organizations use to promote work-life balance? This paper shall focus on cultural diversity in work places.

A detailed discussion shall be presented on how this ethnicity may affect an organization either positively or negatively. Solutions and recommendations shall also be made as to how best this diversity can be balanced. The importance of nurturing an organizational culture shall also be highlighted.

Brief summary on ethnic diversity

Globalization has led to a status quo where organizations are constantly being forced to interact and in some instances merger with each other so as to fully utilize scarce resources so as to ensure their profitability and hence future continuity.

To best achieve their goals, organizations at times find themselves forging alliances with individuals from different nations around the globe in order to tap into the best talents for the various jobs. Hankin (2008) asserts that cultural diversity is about respecting and acknowledging differences among people in relation to their age, sex, ethnicity, abilities and beliefs. If employees do not oversee such differences and work as a unit, then the working environment and the output would end up in turmoil.

Personal experience of ethnic diversity at work

A particularly significant experience was in my capacity as a project coordinator with Apple, Inc. I was charged with working with the program managers in executing and implementing initiatives involving the organizations clientele.

These tasks enabled me to play an active role in shaping the company’s strategy and develop impressive skills in personnel management and public relations; traits that will be of uttermost importance in my future aspirations. During this period, I came to realize and appreciate the importance of having an organization culture, working with people from different cultural and ethnical backgrounds and finally, the importance of a strong and charismatic leader.

During my first few months I was really determined to prove my worth to the managers and my supervisor. As such, I viewed most of my colleagues as potential threats to my career development strategies.

As a result, I used to do all my tasks alone and never asked for any assistance from anyone no matter how difficult things got. In addition, I kept all my ideas to myself fearing that my workmates would steal them and get credited for them. It was not long before I realized that I had isolated myself and most people did not want to work with me.

The company has a highly diversified workforce and I automatically assumed that they were all discriminating against me probably on educational, cultural or social grounds.

It was very frustrating. My intervention dawned on me at a seminar organized by the HR department on the importance of teamwork, developing and adapting to new work environments. Among the core elements covered in that seminar were, the importance of sharing a vision, effective communication, teamwork and the importance of groupthink (corporate culture).

I realized that interacting with my colleagues irrespective of their abilities and/or differences, was a better and faster way of fast tracking my carrier. This was because there were situations which could have had better results if I had consulted the right person. In addition, it became clear to me that there are actually other people with better ideas than mine and it is only through teamwork and sharing that they can be able to trust in me and believe that I will do my part in ensuring that we get the job done.

Challenges facing cultural diversity at work places

Discrimination is the core factor hindering cultural diversity in work places. This comes in different cloaks such as sex, age social class and ethnicity. Many companies have over the years been known to reject job applications from women, aged people and worse of all individuals with accents despite their qualification levels for the particular job (Collins, 2002).

These differences should be seen as opportunities rather than a threat. For example, an accent indicates multilingual capabilities which may come in handy while marketing in the global scene, women are known for their persuasive nature and older individuals are rich in experience which they can pass down to the younger and less experienced employees.

Benefits of cultural diversity in work places

Despite the challenges there are benefits that can be accrued from cultural diversity. For starters, it presents employees with adequate avenues through which they can learn key aspects of different cultures from each other (Reisinger, 2009).

The knowledge acquired from this can then be applied while dealing with both international and local clients. In addition to this, it eases the marketing process when it comes to launching new products, discussing merges with foreign clients and other aspects of international business. Trompenaars contends that diversity offers great understanding to how different people perceive thing leading to a better understanding of the human race (2009).

How does organizational culture influence employees’ response to organizational change?

The importance of developing an organizational culture cannot be understated. As earlier mentioned, nurturing a culture creates a sense of belonging as well as unity within the organization’s workforce. Meyer and Stanley (2003) define an organization as an institute, group or an association which has a specific purpose and goals. In order for a group to deem itself as an organization, there must be observable elements of cooperation and coordination within the members of the group in accordance to a pre-prescribed format.

As such, key to the establishment of any organization is the presence of some common and quantifiable goals which are to be pursued collectively. These traits and goals amount to the culture of the organization. Kirkman and Shapiro (2001) describes organization culture as a blend of shared assumptions, values and behaviors that a group develops as it tries to cope or adapt to the various trends, challenges and different think modes within the working environment.

This being said, a strong organization culture influences the level of commitment that the employees have to the organization, their ability to work together towards the set goals, their vigilance and their morale (Stock & McFadden, 2007). Having a set culture may come in handy especially during a time of change.

Considering the fact that not all people have a positive perception towards change, a well defined culture goes a long way in smoothening the transition and implementation of change. This is because the employees feel obligated and committed to the success of the firm and may therefore compromise for the well being of the organization.

On the other hand, a weak culture may lead to conflicts and eventually failure especially in times of change because the employees often look out for their own interests instead of those of the organization (Philip & McKeown, 2004). This is basically due to the fact that the employees do not have any common values or attributes that identify them with the goals and objectives of the organization.

In certain circumstances, the preserving of the corporate culture of the organization can make the difference in the organization. This is especially so when the culture has been responsible for the successful execution of tasks in the organization over a long period of time (Lau & Ngo, 2004). This being the case, it is obvious that the success of an organization can be jeopardized by any move that threatens to weaken the corporate culture of the organization.

Morgan (2006), states that corporate cultures develop “as an ethos created and sustained by social processes so as to bury out differences”. This means that the culture is a means by which the various disparate members of the organization can forge some form of alliance and thus work towards. Macintosh and Doherty (2010) assert that a strong culture may be further reinforced in an organization by a strong charismatic figure.

Key to making a difference in the organization is the ability of the sole figure to ensure that everyone involved buys into the ideas and concepts (culture) that they are trying to advance.

Skerlavaj, Stemberger and Skrinjar (2007) articulate that actions that produce a feeling of charisma towards a leader figure will invariably lead to an increase in the likelihood of the followers to ape the actions of the leader. However, it should be noted that making the people follow a “model individual” may only be effective for a short term basis. The Education of key people in the organization about the assets and issues associated with the work environment may be a more effective and long term measure (Cummings 2004).

What effective approaches do organizations use to promote work-life balance?

Fereday and Oster (2010) assert that the current economy favors the collective goals and those values that reflect the needs of groups rather than personal groups. As such, it is always important to ensure that teamwork prevails in the work setting. Ambition and determination are some of the traits that are inherent in a person who set out to make a difference in the organization (Hobman et. al 2003).

Whereas these traits are desirable and necessary for this task, they may have detrimental effects if they are exhibited in an exaggerated form. If an individual is overly ambitious, he may be tempted to act in ways that are beneficial to him/her at the expense of other members of the organization. This may alienate him/her to the other members of the organization who may then proceed to sabotage his activities thus negatively impacting the organization.

Managing ethnical diversity

Developing an ethics program

In order to fully harness the full benefits that come with cultural diversity at work places, it is important that the managers and supervisors set rules safeguarding against discrimination during employment, promotions and layoffs.

In addition to this, training sessions by professionals should be included in the work places so that workers can learn how to cope and work together towards a common goal despite their differences. On the same note, the management may decide to use a third party when it comes to conflict resolution. According to Adamopoulos, a third party provides the individuals involved with a sense of fairness as well as a chance to air their thought fully (1999).

Communicating the organization’s vision to all employees

A vision can be loosely defined as the detailed mental image of things to come. Possessing a vision is paramount for any organization since it gives a sense of purpose and meaning to the organization members. As such, it is imperative that in any setting there be a leader who comes up with a future plan and then steer his followers towards its achievement. Visions are often formulated by an individual or a group of people towards a specific purpose.

As such, the visions may be highly personalized and may not necessarily conform to the desires of the majority. It is important to communicate such visions to workers and convince them as to the need to embark on the proposals since it is the followers who will determine the success of the vision (Cummings, 2004). This will act as a source of motivation and morale in their day to day activities.

Communication of a vision is a key step in establishing unity in a highly diverse work environment. Effectively communicating an organization’s vision determines the level of cooperation and commitment that the employees give to the organization.

In addition, communicating a vision to the followers gives them a glimpse of what to expect from their leaders and they judge them by the principles that govern their actions (Lau & Ngo, 2004). Personal character traits such as self confidence, honesty and trust can only be seen through their actions and ability to communicate with others.

According to Collins (2002) sharing a vision of the future reassures the followers of better days ahead. In addition to this, it provides meaning and a sense of belong to the followers and other stakeholders as they deem themselves as part of something greater. A shared vision inspires and motivates them to aim higher and employ extra effort so as to actualize the vision and make a significant difference in their own capacities.

This in turn acts as a unifying factor and creates a sense of community between them. In addition to this, communication of visions provides the followers with a theme of change or transformation. This is important especially in cases where a seamless transition is desirable. At the same time, the visions also help followers to understand what is expected of them and this helps them make reform and become more innovative.

Sharing the visions also assist in developing and shaping the culture of the organization. In addition, if the proposed culture is accepted by all the members, it becomes part of the normal proceedings and ultimately becomes a part of the organization. This improves interactivity between members and they develop common values and beliefs as they all set target towards a common goal.

Skerlavaj et al (2007), further asserts that sharing of a vision with the followers equips them with referenced framework on how to actualize the same. For a vision to become reality there needs to be rules and regulations which act as guidelines to all members. Communicating these to the followers smoothen the implementation process making it easier to achieve the set goals and objectives because every member receives clear directives on how to go about actualizing a particular vision.

Conclusion

Developing an organizational culture has in the recent past become a vital aspect in determining the success of any given corporation. Ethnicity has been documented as one of the challenges that may hinder the success of such a pivotal factor.

Therefore, as the world is slowly turning into a global community, it is important that humans brace themselves for the changes that come with this transition. One of the ways through which this can be done is through equipping ourselves with ample knowledge on how to interact and cope with each other not only for our own benefit but also for further development of the generations to come. This can only be done if we set our differences aside and work as a unit all the while learning from each other.

In addition, we should remember that the success of all our endeavors rely mainly on our ability to interact and adapt to the changes that we face in this ever so dynamic world. This paper has in detail reviewed various literatures dwelling on ethnic diversity in our work places, the importance of developing an organizational culture and finally measures that could be employed to tackle the challenges that may be faced by an organization facing such issues.

References

Adamopoulos, J & Kashima, Y (1999). Social psychology and cultural context. NY: SAGE.

Collins, J. (2002). The Challenges and Opportunities of Cultural Diversity. Web.

Cummings, J, N. (2004). Work Groups, Structural Diversity, and Knowledge Sharing in a Global Organization. Management Science. 50(3), 352-364.

Fereday, J & Oster, C. (2010). Managing a work–life balance: the experiences of midwives working in a group practice setting. Midwifery. 26(3), 311-318.

Hankin, H. (2005). The new workforce: Five sweeping trends that will shape your company’s future. USA: AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn.

Hobman, E & Bordia, P. (2003). Consequences of Feeling Dissimilar from Others in a Work Team: Consequences of Feeling Dissimilar from Others in a Work Team. Journal of Business and Psychology. 17(3), 301-325.

Kirkman, B, L & Shapiro, D, L. (2001). The Impact of Cultural Values on Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment in Self-Managing Work Teams: The Mediating Role of Employee Resistance. The Academy of Management Journal. 44(3), 557-569.

Lau, C & Ngo, H. (2004). The HR system, organizational culture, and product innovation. International Business Review. 13(6), 685-703.

Macintosh, E & Doherty, A. (2010). The influence of organizational culture on job satisfaction and intention to leave. Sport Management Review. 13(2), 106-117.

Meyer, J & Stanley, D, J. (2002). Affective, Continuance, and Normative Commitment to the Organization: A Meta-analysis of Antecedents, Correlates, and Consequences. Journal of Vocational Behavior. 61(1), 20-52.

Philip, G & McKeown, I. (2004). Business Transformation and Organizational Culture: The Role of Competency, IS and TQM. European Management Journal. 22(6), 624-636.

Reisinger, Y. (2009). International Tourism: Cultures and Behavior. USA: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Skerlavaj, M et al. (2007). Organizational learning culture—the missing link between business process change and organizational performance. International Journal of Production Economics. 106(2), 346-367.

Stock, G & McFadden, K, L. (2007). Organizational culture, critical success factors, and the reduction of hospital errors. International Journal of Production Economics. 106(2), 368-392.

Trompenaars, A & Hampden Turner, C. (1998). Riding the waves of culture: understanding cultural diversity in global business. NY: McGraw Hill.

Ethnicity is a societal process that is noticeable by diverse facets. Evidently, when this concern merges with social class discrepancies and racial differences, it affects humanity by creating a platform for increased disintegration (Fenton 1).

Considerably, the current initiation in technology combined with increased globalization continues to cause remarkable decline in ethnicity. Consequently, the role of human art in uplifting social parity, creating awareness, and enhancing integration across ethnic groups is unavoidable. For example, a keen analysis of Guillermo’s work shows successful dedication to social parity and integration across expansive and diverse societies. Although born Mexican, Guillermo’s passion for art leads him to US for studies after which he sets a contribution to art and social advocacy (Huízar).

Although negative ethnicity still exists, it is up to individuals to rise above it and utilize their talents to overcome it. “La Pocha Nostra,” an anti racist body strives to promote social integration through art. Composed of diverse groups and personalities world wide, La Pocha engages in a variety of performances, utilizing information technology facilities to create socio-political awareness whereas enhancing interaction of the global community. Such initiatives help in the fight against ethnic based discrimination and foster integration.

Ethnicity is as old as humanity, with effects evident across all spheres of life, such as performance art. Performance arts emerge as basic unifying element. This is because diverse tribal groups rejoice art from diverse divisions. Its revolution from 1960’s up to date shows a series of adjustments that comply with societal interests, and globalization (Fenton 30). The trends make performance art tolerable in all ethnic groups globally, reducing the rejection and boundaries that previously existed. Implications of ethnicity can significantly lessen depending on individual initiatives.

The artistic works of Guillermo illustrate the importance of constructive application of talents and endeavors aimed to minimize ethnicity. Although still prevalent in many cities and states, the growing century will experience decrease in ethnicity due to increased enculturation and diffusion of art across borders. Human movement and immigration include also enhance decline in ethnicity (Fenton 51). Unlike presently, ancient times had unpleasant incidences of contravention of human privileges including slavery. Guillermo’s ability to reach the global society through technology and create an affirmative attitude towards performance art is admirable.

This is evident in the US where he is not native thus depicting the constructive influence talent has on ethnicity. With the advent of technology, Guillermo foresees and works towards a universal and multicentric comprehension of cultures, and addresses social injustices through humor in his digital performances (Huízar). Establishing the web as a global community using unique and universally tolerable art that is globally accessible would help lessen ethnicity.

Works Cited

Fenton, Steve. Ethnicity. Massachusetts, MA: Polity, 2010. Print.

Huízar, Angélica. Guillermo Gómez-Peña’s “Tekno Poética” Web Verse, Lost and Found in a Webspora. Old Dominion University. Nd. Web. 2011.

Introduction

In recent years, cartoons have become a common and often an ultimate daily entertainment for children of all ages. Capturing children’s attention and sometimes even hypnotizing them with their bright images, cartoons, however, do more than simply entertain children. They contribute to the formation of a child’s outlook, attitude towards life, his/her personality, and other people.

Such an influence of cartoons is obvious in all the spheres of our life, including race and ethnicity issues. Both the ethnical minorities’ and the “white” children’s perceptions of the world around and the social roles it offers are influenced by cartoons (Merskin, 2008). This makes studying the types of characters representing ethnical minorities and people belonging to different races important to understand how the children’s attitude towards them is being developed.

In the process of my research, I have collected information through watching cartoons created for various age groups of children and performing different purposes, like entertainment, education, learning, etc. The first cartoon series entitled “Caillou” is of French production and presents a pedagogically correct cartoon for children aged from 3 to 5. Another cartoon is a Disney product aimed at the audience of children and teenagers aged from 9 to 14 and is called “Phineas and Ferb.”

One more Disney cartoon I have come across was “Lilo and Stitch,” a cartoon for children aged from 5 to 9. The last cartoon taken into consideration in this paper is an interactive show “Jake and the Never Land Pirates”, also produced by Disney Company for children aged from 5 to 9. As all the cartoons are designed for different ages, their content varies a lot; however, each of them has representatives of various ethnicity groups or races, which allows conducting small research about their roles in cartoons.

Characters of different ethnical groups

Although every cartoon I watched includes characters representing various ethnical groups, their roles and importance in the animated series differ greatly. For instance, in “Caillou”, the main characters are members of a European family; however, people of other ethnicities appear in every episode. Thus, the main character’s best female friend is Chinese, and some black children appear in his kindergarten group.

“Phineas and Ferb” also focuses on American characters; however, the neighbor and a close friend of the family is a girl of Mexican origin. In these two cartoons, the representatives of different ethnical groups are given secondary roles. They seem to contribute to the diverse world of “white race” rather than be its central characters.

However, much respect is given to them, as in “Caillou”, for example, some elements of Chinese culture are introduced. The boy is invited to the Chinese family for dinner, and there he discovers their eating habits and cuisine. This teaches children to accept something different and learn to discover new ways of doing ordinary things.

Interestingly, some researches have found that, for a harmonic development, one needs to be surrounded by people who differ from him or her, to compare themselves to someone different and reflect better (Chidester 1).

From this point of view, these two cartoons show white race that has occasional opportunities to communicate with other people and compare themselves to those who have a different origin. Notably, in both “Caillou” and “Phineas and Ferb”, the characters of ethnical minorities are depicted as children from wealthy and cultured families; such approach breaks the widespread bias about the lack of money and education in the immigrants’ families.

Even more, credits are given to the representatives of ethnical minorities in the other two cartoons. Thus, in “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” one of the main characters, a little pirate girl, is a representative of an ethnical minority, which, however, is not specified and is only represented by her skin color. All three main characters in the cartoon are equally important and considered to be positive; thus, equality of different races and ethnicities is demonstrated in these animated series.

More impressively, “Lilo and Stitch” depicts Hawaiian family as the main characters, showing them in their natural environment and not “accustomed” to the European or American culture and its routine. Even the secondary characters in this cartoon are Hawaiian; they wear clothes with bright flower prints, have strong bodies and dancing their national dances.

Moreover, the main character of this cartoon is juxtaposed to a villain of a kind. A Hawaiian girl with dark skin, always cheerful, kind, and inventive, is contrasted with her classmate, a white girl who is rather arrogant, egoistic, and unfair.

The white girl comes from a rich family and is spoiled, while the main character has no parents and is forced to help her sister at work. Thus, this cartoon does not deny the existing prejudice of poor people from ethnical minorities. They are contrasted to rich Americans, but the animated series uses this bias to intensify the positive and negative characters correspondingly.

Analysis

Having watched the abovementioned cartoons, I have noticed that in all four cases, the characters of different ethnical groups were female. Either pointing to a certain weakness or subordination, this peculiarity may be decisive in forming the children’s opinion about the interrelations between the representatives of various races.

I believe that in all the cases mentioned, the cartoons show a relatively diverse world of various ethnicities, compared to the cartoons showed ten years ago. Nevertheless, in the case of “Lilo and Stitch,” the setting is rather one-sided. The Hawaiian population has more contact with aliens from different planets than with white people, making the latter look like a minority race (which might as well have been the plan of the cartoon creators).

However, in other cartoons, the characters of “other” races communicate and cooperate with white people, though they mostly appear occasionally and briefly. Indeed, every cartoon contains only one key representative of them, which does not correspond to the modern world where several people of different ethnicities and races can be met every day anywhere.

Conclusion

On the one hand, children’s cartoons do not show enough ethnical diversity while depicting people’s life. On the other hand, the first steps towards the adequate perception of the cultural and mental diversity of our planet have already been taken, and the image of ethnical minorities is becoming more and more cultured and amicable in the cartoons, as well as in children’s minds.

In my opinion, modern parents need to select the cartoons to show to their children and have additional conversations with their children relating the tolerance and value of diversity to prepare their sons and daughters to live in a world which is not their mirror, but the book with many new images to show.

Reference List

Chidester, Ph. (2013). What a cartoon can teach us about race. Communication Currents, 8(1), 1. Web.

Merskin, D. L. (2008). Race and gender representations in advertising in cable cartoon programming. CLC Web: Comparative Literature and Culture, 10(2), 1-10. Web.