A System of Categorization for Humans - Term Paper Example

Summarize the history of race, ethni and culture in the united s, what are the significant or unifying themes to this history? If so, what are they? The thought of race as a system of categorization for human beings was not in existence formally up to the late eighteenth century. The majority of analysts has connected the origin of the biologically based idea of distinctive races of human beings towards the European colonization of the New World. Though, before this time, human beings made a clear differentiation between themselves in a number of ways, these distinctions had their basis on ethnic, tribal, clan or national differences stemming from place of residence or territory or common belief systems instead of innate, genetic features. Nonetheless, as capitalist-based exploitation of groups especially the darker skinned ones, which started in the form of chattel slavery, along with other abuses of humanity, the people in power started turning to science as a means of rationalizing the oppressive conditions whereby these groups gained condemnation (Singh 5). The rush in developing these pseudoscientific assertions partly got their drive from the need of the colonizers to tone down their guilt and resolving the cognitive dissonance, as well as contradictions evident, in the growing new societies, which took pride in freedom and democracy relegating certain groups in their societies into a status that was non-free and even subhuman. Whereas the science, which came up with the idea of race, is undoubtedly discredited by the standards of today, the social consequences of humans having detached themselves into races still continues to be firmly intact. Therefore, though the thought of race as a system of classifying human beings tends to be what social scientists refer to as socially constructed instead of biologically based, it continues being an enduring class of social analysis. This is not as a result of its genetic or biological basis; rather, it is due to power it has exerted as an idea to come up with dividing lines between distinctive classes of human beings all over the globe (Singh 23). Throughout history, the United States continues to be known as the melting pot, embracing people from distinctive racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Therefore, it is critical to have an understanding of the origins of this diversity, while, at the same time, appreciating its dynamic nature in the modern society in relation to everyday American life. Knowledge on the manner in which a complex, multicultural population works also provides the basis for the evaluation of professional life, comprising of business, education, health and human resources. The race, as well as ethnicity interest area, permits the understanding in the development of the historical issues of race and ethnicity, along with their influence on modern culture. This diversity has influenced America's culture from the time of its inception. A number of immigrant groups who arrived at America's shores came with their individual beliefs, inventiveness, religious practices and unique craftsmanship, which collectively assisted in the creation of the colonies and ultimately the United States as one nation. In modern America, culture diversity has taken on a diverse connotation. The thought has expanded from cultural, as well as the ethnic heritage into the intertwining of marriage, social ethics and gay rights. Apart from that, there is now the idea that America has to adopt and adapt into foreign customs, while, at the same time, legalize the use of several languages on street signs, public classroom and government documents across America instead of immigrants adapting themselves into America's rich culture and language (Singh 37). Unifying factors According to Singh (52), the following factors act as a unifying factor in America when it comes to the issue of race, ethnicity and culture: a) Melting Pot: The building of the social fabric of America has its basis on the diversity of culture; however, according to the organization Ethnic Majority, there is failure is assimilating the majority of America's ethnic minorities into America's diverse melting pot. Whereas there is an improvement in America's minority groups through literature, art and social customs, racial and ethnic discrimination is still present amongst African Americans, Mexican-American, Middle-Easterners and Haitians. b) Cultural Distinction: This is the single unifying element allowing ethnic and cultural groups the opportunity of maintaining their group uniqueness while creating mixed American mores. The very spirit of American diversity has its prediction on the concept that America is capable of celebrating the ethnicities of its numerous cultures. Americans commemorate a number of cultural, as well as religious observances such as St. Patrick's Day, Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, Ramadan, Black History Month and Yom Kippur. Celebrating, as well as embracing the diversity of the nation's numerous cultures has been handy in solidifying America's symbolic uniqueness of being a nation of many, which has transformed itself into one distinguishing nation. c) Language: The growth of the American language tends to be unique. Unlike Germany, Poland, France or Egypt which have only one native tongue, America's language happens to be a collection of a number of native tongues transformed for not less than two centuries into a mixture of distinctive sounds, as well as dialects. In most cases, the varying dialects are dependent on where the different ethnic immigrant groupings settled geographically in America. Therefore, though there is correct consideration that American language is English; however, it could be American English with ethnic, as well as culturally diverse undertones. d) Education: Students in America are growing up within a nation, as well as a world, which is increasingly turning into more diverse in the manner in which it interacts within the workplace, in the media, in institutions of learning and on the Internet. Therefore, the frontline teacher has to prepare students to comprehend how these diverse cultures will possibly have an impact on them, their families, together with the American culture in which they grow in. e) Population: Research shows that the minority population in America is increasing at an extraordinarily high rate in comparison to the Caucasian population; this might have a tremendous effect on how the American culture identifies itself over the following decades. The U.S. Census Bureau assertions on the white population suggest that, whereas it is the biggest of the five race or ethnic groups, it happens to be the slowest-growing amongst the groups. Apart from that, the Hispanic population tends to outpace every other ethnic group by increasing from 32 million to 72 million in totality. As a result, a historically Euro-centric focus might ultimately give way to a representation of upcoming minority-influenced art, language, entertainment and other cultural manifestations. f) Future: With the continued growth of America's population, the social dynamic the nation's citizens have to confront as a more and more diverse nation as the defining identity of America. As the nation turns out to be more diverse, Americans may start to favor non-assimilation that develops individualism of cultures. Apart from that, they may continue to campaign for a one-America on the basis of the melting pot belief. Considering the perception that America is in an ever transformative state, growing cultural diversity paves way for its continued distinctive national quality, as well as a character to reinvent itself. Conclusion Race, ethnicity and culture, tend to be problematic illusions that different groups of people use in either advancing or oppressing people. Ethnicity is a social force, which constantly undergoes change due to the needs of the time. However, the application of ethnicity continues to be so steeped in social, as well as political agendas, thereby failing to be a representation of people; rather, it ends up serving more as a tool to be manipulated. On the other hand, race appears to be playing the same role, though it looks as if to be applied on a level that tends to be much more general. Nonetheless, even with the passage of time, culture continues to stand as valid, while both race and ethnicity attest to be meaningless; this is as a result of culture having its basis on actual aspects of people's lives. Therefore, there is no need to make assumptions concerning the nature of others on the basis of entirely arbitrary things such as their physical appearance. Perhaps this assumption comes from an instinct applied by prehistoric humans as a mechanism of defense to do identity enemy tribes (Singh 71). No matter what its origin may be, it is necessary to do away with this system of arbitrary of classification and make an attempt of getting to know one another rather than making an assumption that we already know one another. Work Cited: Singh, Amritjit. Postcolonial Theory and the United States: Race, Ethnicity, and Literature. Swarthmore: Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2000. Read More