How would Fredrickson Explain Alexies - Essay Example

HOW WOULD FREDRICKSON EXPLAIN ALEXIE’S ESSAY? Manifest destiny is the belief held in the 19th century by the Americans proclaiming expansion across North America. This expansion was inclusive of progressive liberty, territorial enlargement as well as personalized economic chances. Although most people thought of it as a policy, it is essential to realize that manifest destiny was a general notion. This can be attributed to facts that the ideas did not appear as principles that could define the notion. This notion had a number of themes that included the destiny in the name of God to attend to all the work provided, the virtue of all American institutions and people, and the mission aimed at spreading all these institutions (Colombo, Cullen and Lisle 449). These themes were aimed at remaking and saving the entire earth as seen by America. The arguments supporting these themes claimed that America could make a better and new society that could be termed as beginning of a new world. There are a number of ethnic relations models in America presented by George Frederickson but in this essay the greater focus in on the historical perspective. In his representation, he has a presentation of the ethnic relations evolution that he ultimately did using four main concepts; cultural pluralism, ethnic hierarchy, group separation and one-way assimilation. The author used the latter to show that the outsiders, commonly referred to as minorities, were not to be considered as outsiders anymore. These groups of the blacks, native Americans, Irish individuals were expected to experience equity and complete participation in the society of the Americans. This meant that all the minorities had to confirm to the culture of the Americans. The one way assimilation model explained just as one assimilates into the American culture, it was essential to have all the people in America interact and communicate without instances of miscommunication (Nguyen 16). A good example is the diverse meaning of nodding ones head in a case of answering a question among the American and Bulgarian people. In America, nodding ones head means complying or a positive answer whereas it is the complete opposite in Bulgaria. However, one assimilation model provides information that ensures adaptation of such a person to the American culture without miscommunications. Fredrick essay provided a description of all available American ethnic relations. In addition, he wrote to depict the manner in which these different groups were supposed to interrelate so that they would handle each other in the creation of a unified community. In his essay, he showed that a good society is realized if cultural pluralism is evident. To achieve this, the members of the society should ensure their decisions are based on an individual’s choice, where each person is allowed to formulate their cultural identities. In my opinion, his essay is realistic because integration of all American groups into a single unit of different people owned by similar ways of life, disparities would die off. Some of these disparities included language and distinct culture. The other models named above can similarly be used as the one-way assimilation. The ethnic hierarchy shows the relationship of ethnic groups and the manner in their interactions in relation to social lives. This model described how the dominant groups claimed all the rights that were not offered or those that were unavailable to the smaller groups. In this case, the prospected dominant group assumes larger power and superiority to all those that lack the rights. Fredrick showed that most of the affected groups were the blacks and Indians since the bleakest disparity was that between the nonwhites and whites. The piece on assimilation by Sherman Alexie depicts a great example of an individual trying to fit into the Americans way of life. The author uses an Indian woman who in the will of fitting in the American culture marries a white man who is depicted as blue-eyed. However, she is not contented and feels a strong urge of cheating on her husband probably because he is white. Her desire is too strong to the extent that she picks a scarred Indian man in the streets and lays with him. Alexie shows contentment as this woman describes her act as an affirmative action depicting the form of carnal as well as an act uniting her with her Indian self. In my opinion, it is an ironic act since she aspires to fit in the American society. However, from another point of view, she could be facing difficulties adapting since she grew up in India and changed her life to marrying an American. Alexie uses this act to show that assimilation is not easy since most people have to handle difficulties embracing the new culture or staying to their original cultures (Peluso 25). However, she experiences contracting feeling after encountering a murder that her husband rushes to investigate, and she cannot avoid realizing the attachment between them. Alexie uses Mary Lynn, the Indian woman, to show characters who have been assimilated into the American way of life and live freely. She depicts each character regardless of their ethnicity as an important person. Each individual is similar, and everyone must aim at living in peace and acceptance of each other. Mary Lynn grows feelings for her husband although she does not realize that fact at first. George Frederickson’s model on one-assimilation can be used to analyze and expound on the essay written by Alexie. In his model, he shows the possibility of an American and other people living in harmony despite their diverse cultures. Although assimilation is important, Alexis shows it is not easy, and there are a number of setbacks, but it is a good practice. Frederickson model ensures that people understand the possibilities of living together and even avoiding any differences. Mary Lynn has to face many setbacks that lead her to being unfaithful, but since one way assimilation is possible, she still has achieved the goal of assimilating. The growing of feelings and compassion for her husband shows a success story in the action related to assimilation. Fredrickson can use their story to give as an example of the possibilities and advantages of assimilation. A society where individuals can make their own decisions enhances cohesiveness. As shown in manifest destiny, ignoring this aspect causes the opposite as depicted in the manner of separation of the native Americans during western civilization. The involvement of people with their essay and models that explained the importance of assimilation, increased interconnection between people, even in the United states of America. George Frederickson’s models of ethnic identities, especially the one-way assimilation, have been of great assistance to the living mannerisms of individuals all over the world. Works cited Colombo, Gary, Robert Cullen and Bonnie Lisle. Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and WritingRereading America: Bedford: Bedford Publishers, 2010. Nguyen, Thai. "Models of American Ethnic Relations." Awesome (2002): P.p 13-17. Smith, Emily. "Assimilation by Sherman Alexie." Acs journal (2008): P.p 4. Read More