Personal response essay
You will write a brief (6-7 pages; 1500-1750 words [more if you want], typed, double- spaced) essay in which you discuss and analyze your personal experiences with race and ethnic interaction and diversity-related social issues and social problems.
A. Your Ethnic/Racial Identity
1. What is it? How do you define yourself (i.e., what symbolic markers/aspects of culture distinguish your group identities from other identities)? How do others define you in terms of race/ethnicity? What meaning do your group identities have for- are you proud to be who you are and why
you? How do they affect your day-to-day experiences (if you feel that there is little effect, then you should explain why)?
I am a Puerto Rican woman. My mom and dad are both Puerto Rican. Growing up I didn’t get to experience being full Puerto Rican and learning about my heritage because my parents don’t listen to Spanish music, they just make Spanish food and speak Spanish. When I went to a white middle school and high school that’s when I noticed I was different than white people. When I went there, they treated me different, they thought I was either black or Spanish. They always asked about my hair and how I got it so curly. They used to ask me questions about my heritage a lot. I don’t think I would identify myself in a group.
2. How has your ethnic/racial group changed over time (i.e., are your race and ethnic groups defined and categorized differently today than they were for your parents, grandparents, etc.)? Can you explain why your group identities changed (i.e., interpret the underlying processes)? Use course concepts relevant to ethnicity and ethnic change [e.g., assimilation, ethnic change, ethnic merger, pan-ethnicity, symbolic ethnicity, optional ethnicity; dominant group identity)].
3. How do your ethnic/racial group affiliations affect your life chances (i.e., your opportunities to experience the good things in life–e.g., job opportunities, home ownership, and good health–as opposed to the bad)? Do you perceive any negative?
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effects? Do you enjoy any advantages? You might find it helpful to compare yourself with members of other groups in the U.S. or your home society.
B. Your Intergroup Experience
Think about your past experiences with members of other ethnic/racial groups and your own group. Describe the diversity of the places where you lived and the schools that you attended. What experiences of ethnic/racial conflict, prejudice, or discrimination have you encountered or observed (if none, explain why)? What positive experiences have you had? How have these affected you? What conclusions have you drawn? What important racial and ethnic conflicts have you observed in American (or your home) society? How have these affected you?
C. Summary/Discussion
Briefly discuss any interesting ideas raised by your consideration of the above
issues. Can you apply any course concepts to your experiences? What does your personal/group experience tell us about the impact of race and ethnicity in the United States? DRAW SOME CONCLUSIONS! What do you think your group identities and intergroup experiences will be like in the future (how will they be affected by the demographic changes discussed in class?)?
BE SURE THAT YOU GO BEYOND DESCRIPTION AND ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN OR INTERPRET THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS. Keep asking yourself: What does this issue/experience tell us about the impact of ethnicity and race upon our lives and our society?
Your grade for this essay will be based upon the clarity of your written presentation (i.e., organization, readability, and grammar) and the quality of your analysis (i.e., depth, insightfulness). Please be sure to devote adequate time and space to this assignment. Papers which fall short of the recommended length will generally receive lower grades. Proofread your paper! Spelling, grammar, and readability will affect your grade. Time extensions will be allowed only in extreme circumstances and by prior arrangement. Late papers may be penalized!
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