CP ENGLISH 11
U1H11
Unit 1: An American Dilemma
Racial/Cultural Identity Letter
Name:
____________________________
Date: _____________________
Section: 11.1
11.2
11.3
12.1
Directions
1. This letter is for your English teacher. It is meant to be deep, thoughtful, honest—an opportunity for me to get
to know you better. I will not share this with anyone else unless you want me to do so.
2. You may handwrite your assignment on lined paper or type it. Regardless, it must be at least one full page
single-spaced.
3. Make sure to address all three parts below. Feel free to organize your letter however you want.
4. Feel free to use the back of this handout to get your thoughts down before writing your actual letter.
Remember that our essential questions are as follows:
 Where do racial and cultural identities come from? To what extent should we resist them?
 How can we form a prosperous society out of many diverse peoples? Is this desirable? Possible?
Part I –Race
a. How do you identify yourself racially (white, black, Hispanic, multiracial, etc)?
b. What do you think society (television, movies, music, politics, etc) says about what it means to belong to your
racial group(s)?
c. What does it mean to you to be part of your racial group(s)?
Part II - Culture
a. How do you identify yourself culturally (European, Haitian, Dominican, etc)?
b. What do you think society (television, movies, music, politics, etc) says about what it means to belong to your
cultural group(s)?
c. What does it mean to you to be part of your cultural group(s)?
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER (TYPE / WRITE YOUR LETTER ON A SEPARATE SHEET)
Part I –Race
a. How do you identify yourself racially (white, black, Hispanic, multiracial, etc)?
b. What do you think society (television, movies, music, politics, etc) says about what it means to belong to your
racial group(s)?
c. What does it mean to you to be part of your racial group(s)?
Part II - Culture
a. How do you identify yourself culturally (European, Haitian, Dominican, etc)?
b. What do you think society (television, movies, music, politics, etc) says about what it means to belong to your
cultural group(s)?
a. What does it mean to you to be part of your cultural group(s)?