Ethnic Identity
Ethnic identity is 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 that group. I believe that ethnic identity is an important part of America today. After all, this nation was built on immigration. It is important that people continue the traditions and keep their culture alive. Living in a different place can be distracting for individuals who are far away from the origins of their culture. Ethnic identity itself includes three dimensions. First being, self identification, at this stage a person acknowledges their own ethnicity. Second is the knowledge about the ethnic culture, which is the traditions, customs, values, and behaviors. Last is the feelings of belonging to the history of your culture and where it started.
An example of ethnic identity in today’s America is that of Judaism. Jewish people have some of the strongest traditions that live in today’s society. From an early age Jewish parents are usually strong in upholding the traditions such as going to Temple on the sacred day and celebrating Hanukkah. Not only do they celebrate those traditions but on the 13th birthday for a boy they will celebrate his bar mitzvah and for a girl her bat mitzvah. This tradition represents the transformation into manhood or womanhood. This is similar to the quinceanera for Hispanic girls on their 15th birthday.
I believe that ethnic identity is important because I, for one, am not someone who has the privilege of upholding traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. My ethnicity has been lost somewhere in the family tree and it is to the point that I could not even tell you and be 100% where I originated from. Family culture and tradition is important and as our nation grows it is necessary for people to keep their cultures alive, no matter where they are from.
Reference:
Maritn, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2010). Intercultural Communication in Contexts (Fifth ed., pp. 185-187). New York, NY: Mcgraw-Hill.
I agree with your comment about needing to preserve ethnic identity and traditions in the United States. I think that people may forget, or take for granted, that our nation was founded on immigration and a combination of different ethnicities. I believe that there a few things that could be expanded on, such as a more in-depth look at Judaism.
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting blog about ethnic identity. How does your example of ethnic identity differ from the definition given in the book of religious identity?
ReplyDeleteExcellent description of ethnic identity. For the next blogs, think about how you can can cite the text in paragraph 1. Make sure that all sources listed as references are cited in the blog. Also think about how you can expand that example to be very specific. What is a particular aspect of Jewish identity that you can show us? Also I like that you touch on your own personal connection. Maybe this concept of ethnic identity is something that you examine for the cultural reporter project?
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