Beyond Multiculturalism: Race and Ethnicity - Assignment Example

Critical analysis essay: definitions of race and ethni It would not be a mistake to argue that there is a considerable number of aspects that should be taken into account while analyzing a human being. While some might put emphasis on some physical attributes, other tend to pay attention to spiritual element. However, one might argue that the cultural or ethnic aspect is also quite important when it comes to developing a correct understanding of one’s identity. That is why there are numerous authors who have tried to tackle this difficult subject. This paper will present analysis of introduction to the book that is titled Debating Diversity and that was written by Ronald Takaki. If one was to outline the primary argument that was made by the author in the piece of writing in question, one would have to cite the title: “We all will be minorities”. In order to prove the validity of such claims Takaki should have used a considerable amount of data. Indeed, the introduction features references of census and different calculations. For example, closer to the end, the author presented the way in which the population that included African Americans as well as Hispanic Americans together could grow and account for almost one fourth of the entire population. Simultaneously, he showed that the idea that the Americans are white is consistent with the facts since the number of people of this cultural background has decreased from eighty percent to sixty. One would have to argue that all this contributes greatly to the validity of the claims which are made by the authors since it shows that the notion of being a minority in the United States of America should be reevaluated. Another point that should be made about the argument that is made by Takaki is that it is quite consistent. He argues that it would be rather logical to stray away from the traditional division of the Americans with the help of ethnic groups. This might be backed up by outside researches, for example: “these 13,3 million “unhyphenated Americans ” who answered American … despite the ongoing “ethnic revival” that was all the politically, chose to be “American” first and foremost” (Holli and Jones 2). It is clear that as the disparity in the distribution of a particular ethnicity is equalized by the processes that are described in the introduction, there will no longer be a need to specify cultural background of a particular citizen since it would not matter: American will finally retain its correct meaning. What is more important is that the views that are expressed by the author comply with the results of the researches that were conducted prior as well as after his work, suggesting that this is a rather correct scientific prediction. Speaking of the flaws that might be present in the discussion about race and ethnicity as it is shown in the text in question, one might point out the fact that the author avoids them successfully by not choosing one particular side over the other. For example, he acknowledges that there are two opposing views on the future of the notion of ethnicity, but does not state blindly that one of them is wrong. It may be rather favorable since some researches argue that multiculturalism “left the impression that culture follows the lines of shape and color” (Hollinger 10). That is exactly why Takaki wants to proves: “shape and color” should not be considered to be valid criteria to determine ethnicity of a person. This is clearly shown when he recalls his personal experience in the higher education facility: the other students treated him as a foreigner since, “I was not white, and my face and name had tagged me as a stranger” (Takaki 1). However, the whole focus of academic work of Takaki shows that he is a real American since that is how he feels. It has already been mentioned that the thesis of the author suggests that over some time, there will not be an ethnicity in the United States that would be dominate in terms of percentage, so everyone will belong to one minority or another. Takaki shaped this thesis in such a way that would prove that the original understanding of what makes an American is based on this particular concept: lack of need to state cultural background or assume that it is European by default. In order to present the thesis from different sides, Takaki features personal experience, showing how misleading may be attitude that all Americans are white; he adds actual evidence about the changes in the population of the United States, arguing that groups which used to be considered minorities are growing, and two of them comprise almost twenty five percent of the whole population; finally, he makes certain projections about development of the situation in future, arguing that elimination of disproportion of ethnic representation is not an option, but a logical outcome of this evolution. It would not be a mistake to suggest that the argument that is made by the author is quite compelling. There are several reasons to that. First of all, the thesis is partially based on personal experience of the author. In other words, this is not some abstract problem, but an issue that affects people on a daily basis. It is clear that elimination of differences between the ethnic groups will also solve this problem. Secondly, there is a sufficient statistical data that is able to prove the validity of ideas that are expressed by the author. Keeping in mind that the author cites information from 1980 and 2000, it would be logical to argue that his predictions about 2050 are quite accurate. Finally, it must be noted that the author gives appropriate respect to the opponents and acknowledges that there might be an opposing point of view. However, Takaki tries to prove that his point of view reflects an understanding of a person who has been mistaken for a foreigner, while he actually was an American. It is clear that the stand that he has taken is an objective one since it is neither radical nor offensive. In reality it was he who was offended by incorrect understanding of what makes an American. That is why it would be a mistake to suggest that the argument that is made by the author is somehow biased: since he was negatively influenced by the concept in question, he is able to present the situation from inside unlike other researchers who have probably never been in such a situation. Therefore, the thesis which is expressed by Takaki in his introduction to Debating Diversity, according to which in the middle of this century the number of people who belong to groups which are considered to be minority will grow so much and it may become equal to the ethnic group which is the biggest right now is presented quite effectively in the text. The author was able to do it with because of the following three factors. First of all, he based the discussion on the personal experience and added a real life element to it, which allowed him to make valid claims about the issues. Secondly, he was able to include statistical data, information that is taken from other studies to present the situation from a rather objective point of view. Finally, his predictions about the future of the population of the United States are quite realistic since they reflect the actual trends that have been witnessed in this society for several decades by numerous researchers. Works cited Holli, Melvin G., and Peter d Jones. Ethnic Chicago: a multicultural portrait. 4th ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1994. Print. Hollinger, David A.. Postethnic America: beyond multiculturalism. New York: BasicBooks, 1995. Print. Takaki, Ronald T.. Debating diversity: clashing perspectives on race and ethnicity in America. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print. Read More