ethnic identity

ethnicity

refers to a person’s cultural characteristics. these include:

• geographical origins and common descent (links with a country of origin e.g. Pakistan)

• language (language spoken in country of origin e.g. older generation Chinese people may speak in Cantonese.)

• religion (e.g. Jacobson found Islam was important to Pakistani Identity)

• history (Members of ethnic cultures may share a sense of struggle and oppression which originates in a particular historical context, such as slavery)

• customs and tradition. (These are normally cultural or religious events, ceremonies and celebrations that reinforce a sense of ethnic community and therefore identity, e.g. the Notting Hill Carnival held annually in London.

what do sociologists say about ethnicity in the UK?

• ethnicity can be positive thing when people recognise they have a shared culture and are members of a wider community.

• however ethnicity can also be interpreted negatively as in the UK ethnicity can create an ‘us and them’ divide when it comes from the perspective of White British who create othering of ‘non-White British’.

• also, other white minority ethnic groups (Greeks, Irish Travellers etc.) may feel excluded as they are placed in the ‘white’ category.

mason (2000)

points out that many British White people tend to see ethnicity as something other (non-white) groups have.

• this leads to the use of ‘they’ statements made up of imagined and prejudicial assumptions about minority ethnic groups.

• this can involve a process of ‘othering’ where the self is seen in a positive way and anything different is defined in the negative.

barton (2000)

suggests that in the contemporary UK ethnicity is becoming increasingly recognised as something everyone has, especially given that questions about it are now included in the Census and are regularly found on official forms.

does racism still exist in england?

yes (insert examples, news articles, etc..)

key questions

1. The Creation and Reinforcement of ethnic identities – how are we socialised in to our ethnic identity?

2. how is ethnic identity changing? Do people resist cultural diversity or accept it and form hybrid ethnic identities?

how are ethnic identities created and reinforced?

• family

• education

• media

• peer group

resistance is…

• the response of those from ethnic minorities to racism may be to find ways in which their ethnicity can be used as a form of protection.

• for example, when minority communities experience racism from majority communities, they may turn towards their own community to as a response to their racist experiences.

• this allows people to feel safety, stability as well as reinforcing their own ethnic identity.

hybridity is…

• a cross between two or more things, to create something entirely new.

• a hybrid identity is someone’s sense of who they are is a mixture of two or more influences.

• this can be seen most clearly within ethnicity, nationality and identity. e.g. an individual may have an identity as a British person, but also as an Asian and may refer to themselves as a ‘blasian’.

ethnic identity key studies

• nayak (2003) - ‘white wannabes’

• jahal (1994) - white masks

• ghumann (1999) - compartmentalism

• back (1996) - neighbourhood nationalism

• gilroy (1993) - black atlantic identities

• jacobson (1997) - young pakistanis and islamic identities

• hewitt (2005) - backlash against multiculturalism

• spencer et al (2007) - eastern european migrants

cashmore and troyna (1990)

argue that there will be a tendency for minority ethnic groups to 'turn inwards', to seek support from within their own ethnic community as a response to the racism that they experience. Thus religion and culture may be strengthened, as they become key sources of identity and support.

winston james (1993)

the experience of racism unified the culture and identity of African-Caribbeans in the UK. Black people from the Caribbean had cultural differences based on the island they came from (big island/small island) and they may have also been divided based on the darkness of skin or hierarchy of colour imposed by colonialism. However in the UK as a response to racism the label ‘black’ was formed and has drawn African-Caribbeans together in their shared experience.

jacobson (1997)

young pakistanis are adopting a strong Islamic identity as a response to social exclusion from white British society.

• the positive embracing of Islamic diet, dress and other religious practices was a form or defence and gave them stability.

changing ethnic identities

• aspects of ethnic identity change when they need to in different environments

• experiences of ethnicity change between generations.

• ethnic identity is not as important today – identity is more fluid.

aspects of ethnic identity change when they need to in different environments.

Brah (1996) argues that young British Asians are very skilled cultural code-switchers – they successfully negotiate their own identity

experiences of ethnicity change between generations.

Modood (1997) generational differences exist – second generation ethnic minorities felt more British than their parents.

ethnic identity is not as important today – identity is more fluid.

postmodern theorists argue that identity is all about choice in a consumer society – everyone can create their own identity. ethnicity is therefore becoming less clear cut or relevant.

cultural appropriation

simply taking one aspect of a culture that is not your own and using it for your own personal interest.

• appropriation could mean purchasing a piece of jewellery or clothing that may have important cultural significance to that culture, but simply using it as a fashion statement.

• it could be taking a photo of a ritual ceremony simply for the sake of getting as many likes as possible.

cultural appreciation / exchange

when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally.

• this is where diversity is appreciated and people enjoy different food, dance, music, fashion etc.