Race/Ethnicity
Identity
Lydia, Laura, Danielle, Kristin and Julia
First, a Youtube video and a
disclaimer!
•
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GgjgFbp8-M
•
This presentation is not meant to offend anyone, we
apologize for any awkwardness that may be felt during this
presentation.
Where are we going?
-First, definitions of these wonderful words.
-We’re going to talk about acceptance and resistance!
-Then we’ll talk about Family and Cultural Histories!
-We’ll then apply it to various things around MC!
-Finally, we’ll wrap up!
Definitions!
•Racial
and ethnic identity-Identifying with a
particular racial or ethnic group. Although in the
past racial groups were classified on the basis of
biological characteristics, most scientists now
recognize that race is constructed in fluid social
and historical contexts.
•Racial
histories-The histories of
nonmainstream racial groups.
•Ethnic
histories-The histories of ethnic
groups.
identity-A set of ideas about one’s
own ethnic group membership; a sense of
belonging to a particular group and
knowing something about the shared
experience of the group.
•Ethnic
We’re a Majority!
•
•
Resistance
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The act of blaming minority members for their conditions to blaming
the social system as the source of racial or ethnic problems.
•
You’re never JUST American, you are also Irish, German, French,
Native American, etc.
•
In America, individuality is stressed, if you are just white, you are not
an individual.
Acceptance
•
assumption that people of other colors are culturally different--whites
are all of the same, with no specific culture, identity or shared
experience.
Whiteness.
•3
characteristics of being White.
•
an advantage of race privilege
•
a standpoint from which white people view
themselves, others & society
•
a set of cultural practices, largely unrecognized
by white people
•Economic
•
Black households earned 60% as much income
as a White household; Latino households made
70%
•Health
•
issues:
and Longer Life expectancies:
Black women are 2 times more likely to have
stillborn children than White women
•Social
privileges:
•
Whites are rarely asked to speak for their entire
race
•
Whites see people who “look like them”
wherever they go
FAMILY HISTORIES
• Definition: The body of knowledge shared by family
members and the customs, rituals, and stories passed
from one generation to another within a family.
• Example: Many families changed their last name when
they came to America to:
•
•
•
•
Get jobs
Have a more
“americanized”
identity
Fit in with the new
culture
Allow for easier spelling
EXAMPLES OF
LOSING FAMILY
HISTORIES
-It is important for older family members to share the family
history so as not to lose it.
-Family history is also lost because of parents dying before they
can tell their children about it.
-If one member of the family is adopted, the family may lose that
part of their history.
~Some adopted people do not know their background
because they have never met their parents.
•
CULTURAL HISTORIES
Definition: The history of each cultural group within a nation that
includes, for example, the history of where the group originated, why
the people migrated, and how they came to develop and maintain
their cultural traits.
Example: “Whiteness” is not a big deal now, but when people
were immigrating here, it was a big deal. Italian and Irish
people, even though they were white, had a hard time
assimilating and getting jobs simply because of their
backgrounds.
 Example: We identify people by looks.
If they “look” Chinese, even if they
aren’t, we identify them as Chinese.
 People from other countries simply
identify with their country. They do not
think about being “Irish-British” as we
do as White Americans.

Why are Jesus, Santa Clause, and
the Easter Bunny always depicted as
white?
Influence of identity
on communication
•Extracurricular
Activities on campus
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M.C.I.A.- Manchester College
International Association
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H.U.- Hispanos Unidos
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B.S.U.- Black Student Union
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A.S.A.- African Student Association
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A.A.A.- Asian Awareness Association
Influence of identity
on communication
•Residential
Interactions
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living in a dorm
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floor programs
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dating outside your race
Closing
time!
• Many people who are white don’t think
about it in their everyday business.
•
•
•
Americans don’t like to associate with just
being white, they are also other ethnic
groups.
White family and cultural histories are
passed down throughout generations, with
Santa being white instead of a different
race.
Whiteness affects us in our communication
between people in our residence halls as
well as extracurricular activities.