The Choice: Ethnic Identity

Throughout the ages, humans from all over the world have created and accepted honorable cultures which they feel a strong connection to and are dependent upon. One’s way of living demonstrates nationality, religion, ethnicity, and art. People who have more than one culture, have been torn between two worlds that have eventually affected their lives. The cultural identities portrayed in both Self Portrait: On the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States by Frida Kahlo and “Legal Alien” by Pat Mora are shown through the symbolism, theme/message, and persona created in the works.

This paper will identify the ethnic identifications within individuals. Ethnicity is part of everyone’s identity development. Individuals may have one ethnicity or multiple, depending on their current location, homelands, generations, religion, environment, language/dialect, physical appearance, and more. A cultural individual is considered ethnic either by being first, second, or third generation. According to Phinney (1989), there are four stages of ethnic identity development: diffuse, foreclosed, moratorium, and achieved. They describe when an individual explores or does not explore their own ethnicity, and accepting clarification and understanding of ethnicity. An individual can be placed within these stages throughout their developing lives. It is important to recognize these stages within an individual to better apprehend their identity and where they perceive their own identity in their position.

Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor once said that “we define our identity always in dialogue with, sometimes in struggle against, the things our significant others want to see in us. Even after we outgrow some of these others—our parents, for instance—and they disappear from our lives, the conversation with them continues within us as long as we live.” As a teenage boy making the transition from home to college, I can relate to Taylor’s argument. Growing up an American citizen made me want to participate and identify with the dominant American culture. However, as a son of two Indian immigrants, my parents expected me to uphold ethnic cultural values whether I agreed with them or not. As I transitioned into my first quarter at UCLA, I noticed that my identity was still in tune with what my parents preached to me at home. However, in school I faced pressure from peers and teachers to align with the “American” cultural identity. This was difficult for me as a first-generation Americans because I had to carefully balance the pressures of my ethnic cultural identity with that of my American identity in fear of being shunned by any one group. For this reason, has been difficult for me to establish a unique identity. The cultural question that I wish to explore, through my own life experiences and those of others, is how the fear of being socially exiled as a result of the clash of ethnic and American cultural expectations impact the development of my identity/persona as

The models of cultural identity share most of the same mutual characteristic but the experiences each individual endure in life will have the individual thinking about their belief. The cultural identity is the individuality or feeling of belonging. When thinking about a Native American understanding the racial and ethnic identity of an individual is important part of that individual. Racial and ethnic identity is a contribution to complete understanding the Native American. For some mainly noticeable and officially clear in minority populations in the United States, racial and ethnic identity are established in very sensible way.

Ethnic identity remains one of the most extensively studied topics in the social sciences. The book “Studying Ethnic Identity” provides insight into the dynamic process that goes into the formation of ethnic-racial identity by psychological researchers. Ethnic and racial identity is a subject that is important to study because it has been associated with positive well-being, psychological distress, and academic attitudes (Rivas-Drake, Syed, et al, 2014; Smith & Silva, 2011). Past research has tried to define ethnic identity as a link to one’s own ethnic group (e.g. Latino, African American) (Umana-Taylor et al., 2014). This definition has proven to have its limitations, since it it does not take into account within-group variability that might exist among individuals that feel marginalized from their own ethnic group. Early definitions have failed to acknowledge ethnic identity has a multifaceted and complex construct, which this book discusses. Although several studies on ethnic identify have broaden our understanding of outcomes variables after the formation process, there is still limited areas of ethnic identity to investigate.

Mohja Kahf’s “Girl in the Tangerine Scarf” is a novel centered on the idea of identity and how one’s identity changes and adapts. “Girl in the Tangerine Scarf “ follows Khandra Shamys, a Syrian girl growing up in America. The story follows her journey integration into American society as she comes to accept her cultural and religious past. Khandra’s journey from Indiana to Syria and back illustrates how one’s identity categorizes what people have in common, it also emphasize what is different. Kahf ‘s Girl in the Tangerine Scarf”, illustrates how for a Muslim woman to integrate into American society she must learn to define and differentiate between her cultural identity from her religious identity. Identity is something that is constantly changing, Kahf’s novel shows that an American identity isn’t one identity; it is compromised of multiple religions, cultures beliefs and experiences that work together to define a person.

Ethnic identity much like racial identity is difficult to clearly discern and delineate. As a social construct, it is an umbrella term that mark a group affiliation to a common origin, culture, religion, or geography; it consists of shared traditions, behaviors, values and beliefs. (Waters, 1990) Outlining the elements and components of ethnic identity, Phinney and Ong (2007) stress its multidimensionality and dynamism, it encompasses several cultural, linguistic, behavioral features as well as being developmental and involving a shifting process. They consider self-categorization, commitment, and sense of attachment to the group as vital constituents of ethnic identity. They show that “the process of ethnic identity formation involves the construction over time of one’s sense of self as a group member and of one’s attitudes and understandings associated with group membership” (2007, p. 275) Exploration and commitment are the two head titles in the revised model to measure the formation of identity across different groups (MEIM-R, Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure). The model proposes a set of questions that capture the individual’s overall knowledge, understanding, engagement, sense of belonging and attachment to the social group.

Many circumstances oblige people to move from their native country to a foreign one. From this movement of migration have emerged many ethnic groups. An ethnic group is a restraint number of persons living in a larger society and sharing the same distinct cultural heritage. Some people tend to bury their habits and accommodate to the new way of life. However others hold on to their identity and try to identify their race and maintain it. This enriches societies and makes them multi-racial. Therefore, every ethnic group is essential to complete the mosaic. Although they are sometimes threatened, minorities must fight to preserve their principles. Why must they fight? Because racial identification has many positive impacts on the members.

Ethnicity is defined as the fact or state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition. While this definition suggests a black and white concept, ethnicity is often complex and misunderstood due to the breadth of the topic. Frequently in society, young people inherit their ethnic identity at birth based on the culture they are born into. However, during puberty they often begin to doubt/explore their identity and strive to discover what ethnic group they belong in and not just the one they were assigned. This complex process has spurred psychologists to delve into the phenomenon of how differing cultures undergo this process of “finding themselves”. This research has culminated into a theory based on stages of ethnic development by Phinney & Ong. This paper will investigate further into this topic, in concern to Scarlett O’Hara, a fictional character portrayed in the film classic “Gone with the Wind”.

Picture yourself watching people cross a busy road with speeding cars on every block. What kind of people do you see? Are they with others, or sprinting to safety on the other side? Or do you notice the isolated man on a bench, patiently waiting for cars to slow down? Now the important part: identify the cultural identity of the various people you see. This may be tricky not knowing what cultural identity is. No matter where you are or what you decided to do in this situation, it makes up a piece of your cultural identity. Every kid, every teenager, every adult–no matter shape and size–has a cultural identity. Cultural identity is a part of why you do what you do; it identifies you as a person in a particular group. A certain religion, a specific class and even types of clothing can be a person’s cultural identity.

To explain the ethnic identity formation differs for white and non-white groups you have to first understand both ethics. For years from the beginning of elementary until my eight grade year in middle school, I was taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America and that whites were the first on this earth. Well, we know that’s not true at all the Indians were the first here and made America what it is today. Immigrants come over daily from their country for chances in life. I believe that is not at all a white man country this country is for anyone who wants to be someone. Non-white groups have more drive than whites. They are always looking for ways to better themselves and also better their families. Whites on the other hand 50% of the

Individuals are made up of multiple factors, meaning their identity remains diverse and undefined. Although one’s homeland is a constant influence, it doesn’t always deliver the whole story. For Anzaldua, although growing up in Texas, she never departed from her Mexican roots. With a Mexican heritage, she has found it to be more difficult than ever to find acceptance, and the true meaning of home. She recognizes the impact her culture has on her, along with the barriers it brings. However, Anzaldua considers language and culture to be inseparable, with language suffering variations as the culture changes. She presents the term “linguistic terrorism” to further emphasize on extremely valuable points such as imperialism and self esteem affecting identity formation. This attack on the individual and their form of expression can be belittling, regardless of whether it’s with the intent of censure or by lack of self esteem.

Obviously, Pecola is unhappy with her physical and emotional composition; therefore, she wants to find an out, per se, a new Pecola; one with blue eyes, a beautiful body, and many friends. In contrast, Pecola’s childhood friends, Frieda and Claudia, also aren’t blessed with the best living situation; however, unlike Pecola, they make the conscious decision to tightly grasp their roots and make the best of what they have. These juxtaposing decisions have juxtaposing consequences. Pecola’s life begins to disintegrate at the hands of her fallacious dream, and in doing so, Morrison clearly reiterates her argument that escaping one’s true identity rather than to embrace it ultimately leads to bitter consequences, yet Frieda and Claudia’s glass remains half full. One significant instance where senses of identity are exemplified occurs when Maureen walks into school with her light skin, wealth, and sense of self. Frieda and Claudia are not consumed by jealousy, while Pecola desires to be her mirror image, thereby demonstrating how jealousy is an undesired effect of a lack of self-identity. As a whole, Morrison’s employs juxtaposition.

“If we don’t fully understand our individual and collective roles in maintaining a system of white superiority, our relationships with people of color remains superficial, our ability to work in diverse workplaces is greatly diminished, and we fail to create a just world in which everyone has an equitable opportunity to contribute and thrive” (Kendall, 2013, p. 1). This paper discusses who I am as a cultural person and how I have come to be this way. The first section of this paper discusses my cultural background and my cultural identity. I address the factors that make up my cultural identity and the challenges that I have faced because of my cultural identity. The next section discusses my White racial identity development and the events in my life that have led me to become the person I am today in relation to my racial identity. The final section of this paper outlines the implications my own racial and cultural identity will have on my career as a clinical mental health counselor.

Cultural identity is the basis in which identification is used to express different aspects pertaining to identity and heritage. A person's cultural identity may be created by social organization, as well as traditions and customs within their lives. The two aspects that construct my cultural identity are the frequent chores I must complete every day in order to fulfill my behavioral expectations, and the youth group I attend weekly. These aspects are important to my family and me. Therefore, my identity has an immeasurable effect on my upbringing into this multi-cultural world I live in.