With the resignation of Rachel Dolezal, the caucasian woman that identifies as African-American, another discussion has begun. Do we get to choose our race as well as our gender ? Apparently there are some who think so. I have heard proponents and opponents of this concept. Both sides agree that you cannot choose your ethnicity. That's just absurd but the conversation revolves around the idea of " identifying " with a specific group. Bruce Jenner identifies with being a woman. His choice. Does that then make him a woman ? You answer that for yourself I have expressed my opinion in a previous posting. What I am concerned with here is with this concept of identifying. In this case of the white lady identifying as a black woman. She says she has adopted the African-American culture. She feels by adhering to the " rules " of African American culture that makes her African American. Interesting idea to say the least. And it is that discussion that interests me. She claims to have been discriminated against. In fact she filed a lawsuit to that effect against a college she was attending. In that suit she claimed she was white and felt discrimination from the black community. She was attending a predominately black college at the time. But she was identifying herself as black ! The best of both worlds ?
There has been many social changes in the last few years that has drawn my attention and the attention of the nation as a whole. There is the whole Gay marriage thing, the recent transgender discussion and now this. Each one making arguments for the acceptance of these behaviors. Whether you agree with that is not the point. The point is, it is all about " culture. " And just what is culture. The definition is, the customs,arts,social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people or social group. The proposed changes would certainly change our culture ! The defining of a nation is dependant upon its culture. The citizens of that culture should conform to that culture. And that is what is the issue in all of this.
At one time America was called the great melting pot. Why was that ? Simply put because the citizens or potential citizens adopted the culture of the society. They did not seek to impose their culture upon the society. Big difference.
Back to the issue I began with. This white woman adopting the black culture. Many are supporting this using the argument she identifies as such. My first question is, just what is the black culture ? Just about any description I could offer would immediately be labeled as racist. Ask an African American the same question about the white culture. You will probably be offended. My problem with this is I have heard no one say, what about identifying as an American. What about the American culture ? Is that an antiquated idea ? We read about and are taught the founding fathers establishing a nation. A new nation, a new culture. But where has that gone ? Now it seems the country is divided into hundreds of sub cultures each vying for supremacy. We hear talk of Patriotism. What is that ? A love of country ? Yes, but it is the adoption of a culture and an identity.
It is my belief that we need to set aside the petty differences and have a serious discussion about America. What is America and what is the American culture ? I identify myself as an American, always have, and always will. Self sufficient and proud. I'm not a hyphenated version of anything ! I know my gender from birth and my ethnicity the same way. To identify anyway else is just a sham,a lie. It is a mental health issue, not a cultural one. Unless, of course, the culture is you are whatever you identify yourself to be ! Isn't that called COSPLAY ?
There has been many social changes in the last few years that has drawn my attention and the attention of the nation as a whole. There is the whole Gay marriage thing, the recent transgender discussion and now this. Each one making arguments for the acceptance of these behaviors. Whether you agree with that is not the point. The point is, it is all about " culture. " And just what is culture. The definition is, the customs,arts,social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people or social group. The proposed changes would certainly change our culture ! The defining of a nation is dependant upon its culture. The citizens of that culture should conform to that culture. And that is what is the issue in all of this.
At one time America was called the great melting pot. Why was that ? Simply put because the citizens or potential citizens adopted the culture of the society. They did not seek to impose their culture upon the society. Big difference.
Back to the issue I began with. This white woman adopting the black culture. Many are supporting this using the argument she identifies as such. My first question is, just what is the black culture ? Just about any description I could offer would immediately be labeled as racist. Ask an African American the same question about the white culture. You will probably be offended. My problem with this is I have heard no one say, what about identifying as an American. What about the American culture ? Is that an antiquated idea ? We read about and are taught the founding fathers establishing a nation. A new nation, a new culture. But where has that gone ? Now it seems the country is divided into hundreds of sub cultures each vying for supremacy. We hear talk of Patriotism. What is that ? A love of country ? Yes, but it is the adoption of a culture and an identity.
It is my belief that we need to set aside the petty differences and have a serious discussion about America. What is America and what is the American culture ? I identify myself as an American, always have, and always will. Self sufficient and proud. I'm not a hyphenated version of anything ! I know my gender from birth and my ethnicity the same way. To identify anyway else is just a sham,a lie. It is a mental health issue, not a cultural one. Unless, of course, the culture is you are whatever you identify yourself to be ! Isn't that called COSPLAY ?
Cosplay | Define Cosplay at Dictionary.com
dictionary.reference.com/browse/cosplay?s=tCachednoun 1. the art or practice of wearing costumes to portray characters from fiction, especially from manga, animation, and science fiction. 2. a skit featuring these- ...
Included this for those that may not be familiar with the term. I recently learned about this myself.
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