Expression

Racial/Cultural/Ethnic identity

"What would it be like to have not only color vision but culture vision, the ability to see the multiple worlds of others?" ~Mary C. Bateson

People often make judgments based on impressions that are only skin deep, as if a person's color defines who they are. However, how, where, and by whom a person is raised determines more of who a person will become than skin color itself. Of course, because of societal factors, skin color does have some bearing on person's opportunities. I just really like that quotation because it highlights the tendency for people to overlook people's heritage, upbringing, and worldview and make assumptions based on superficial characteristics.

The transmission of a minority culture from one culture to the next is an interesting thing. I realized this from observing my three-year-old cousin. Her parents are both ethnically Chinese; however, her parents speak different dialects of Chinese. Although my aunt would probably prefer to speak to my cousin in Chinese, my cousin, who can count in English, says that counting in Chinese is difficult. I don't remember having a very hard time counting in Chinese (not more than learning to count in English), but my parents' families speak the same dialect. As I was watching my cousin, I was struck by how difficult preserving a minority culture can be; however, because people make judgments based on physical features such as skin color, figuring out one's ethnic identity can be very challenging.

:: redeemed4hisglory @ 6:33 PM ::

Comments:

Good for people to know.

# posted by  Anonymous : 9:17 AM

 

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