Cultural Profile: Caucasian and Islam Group - Essay Example

Introduction There are various ways and procedures through which people view different ethni and social identity systems such as religious groups in the society (Karpov, Elena Lisovskaya, and David 638). Furthermore, in most cases there are occasions and situations where individuals usually face challenges of discrimination in the society based on their social identity, ethnicity as well as based on their religion (Chelidze 18). In that sense, it is true that social identification systems of people in the society based on their ethnicity and religion has both advantages as well as disadvantages. Social groups mostly share a number of characteristics including involving the use of a common language, sharing cultural values and also sharing norms and traditional values (Chelidze 12). The Muslim based believers are also mostly portrayed badly as well as negatively by the media systems in the society (Chelidze 10). For example, I totally support Muslim faiths, and I have experience a number of discrimination and prejudices in the society. This usually provides bad relationship and poor interaction between Muslim individuals and other people the society. Stereotypes, discrimination, as well as prejudices based on individual cultural identities and ethnicity systems, form some of the problems that the Islamic-based religious individuals are facing in the United States (Chelidze 13). According to recent religious studies and reports, racial group, ethnicity as well as religious group of an individual role play a greater role towards various social activities in their life including their marriage practices, communication practices and their perceptions about life in general (Verkuyten 357). Therefore, the main aim and purpose of this paper is to discuss various social identities and religious beliefs and values including the Caucasian ethnicity, as well as the Islamic religion. The paper will specifically deal with the social identities covering ascription as well as avowal identity systems and how it influences my social interaction with others in the society The Caucasian Group The Caucasian race is mostly found in North America, Europe, parts of Asia as well as in some regions in Africa. Historically, various historians believed that there were two races especially the Mongolians and the Caucasians. According to these anthropologists, the Caucasians were more likeable and intelligent than Mongolians especially due to their light skin and moral values (Verkuyten 355). The Caucasian group was also closely associated with individuals with white skin, and this promoted racial discrimination in the society. According to several religious based including the multiregional religious publications, it is true and clear that the Caucasian ethnicity originated and emerged in the society before the Cro-Magnons and before the Neanderthals man (Chelidze 20). Despite this, they were depicted Homo sapiens characteristics and behaviors including having larger skull, wide face, and brown skin. In the United States of America, the Caucasian people mostly linked with the white people and include various individuals such as Asian Indian natives in the country (Verkuyten 353). However, according to a number of theological studies skin color should not be used in determining social activities and beliefs of individuals in the society. The theologians argue that Caucasian based ethnicity classification promotes racial discrimination, and the use of European based classification is more appropriate (Verkuyten 360). The languages that are used by the Caucasian groups are categorized into two divisions including the Georgians. Furthermore, the majority of Caucasian ethnicity is mostly associated with Islamic religious group, Judaism as well as other minority religious groups (Verkuyten 358). Therefore, as a Caucasian member I am mostly associated with Islamic groups, and I usually experienced some prejudices, stereotypes and discrimination in United States based on my skin color. This influences my social activities such as marriages patterns in the society especially with other religious groups such as Christians. Islamic and Muslims According to religious based studies and reports, Islam is a monotheistic religious group that was developed in Middle East in around seventh century (Verkuyten 356). The Islamic major policies and religious teachings are mostly based providing to individuals who are submissive especially according to the teachings of Prophet Mohammed. As an Islam, I support that Allah is the sole giver of life and the creator of the universe according to insights from the Quran teachings and policies. There are various rituals and cultural practices that are followed by the Islamic religious groups including ritual prayers, believing in chastity, fasting as well as believe in the profession of high faith (Verkuyten 354). In most cases, Muslims are expected to pray five times per day and Mecca forms one of the holy places that we view as sacred. Mosques are the place where Muslims pray and study their scriptures. Furthermore, Muslims main aim in life is to serve Allah. According to recent religious reports and publications Islam religious group are currently found in all regions globally including in United States, in Europe as well as in Asia and Africa (Verkuyten 350). In United States, the Muslim individuals usually face a number of discrimination and hatred in the society since the media mostly associate them with terrorist activities as well as with other bad social behaviors such as mass murder (Verkuyten 352). Ascription and Avowal Identities This is a social identity which an individual is assigned in the society either at birth or later in life (Verkuyten 347). In most cases, the ascribed status of individuals includes various stereotypes and prejudices on the individual in the society. This status ascription systems occurs in all cultures globally and are based on an individual gender, ethnicity as well as on individual social backgrounds and family characteristics. In United States, individuals who are born in high socio-economic backgrounds mostly enjoy good social networks those born in low socio-economic and poor families. Age, sex as well as race of an individual mostly affect their ascription status in the society (Verkuyten 348). In most cases, individuals from minority groups such Muslims in the United States mostly experience discrimination leading to their low self-esteem in the society. In that sense, it is clear that religious values and social norms also determine the social and ascribed status of individuals in the society (Verkuyten 345). However, the avowed identity is how individuals viewed and perceived themselves in the society. However, it is also clear that ascribed social identities mostly influence the avowed identity of individuals in the society. For example, as an individual belonging to the Muslim community in the United States I am mostly involved in bad social behaviors because the media associate us with terrorist activities. Avowal social identity also influences the marriage activities, education choices and friendship systems of various individuals in the society (Verkuyten 346). In some conditions, avowed and ascribed social identities also influence individual workplace choices as most people prefer working in conditions where they are allowed to express their social values and beliefs freely. In some cases, ascribed and avowed identities may be difficult to overcome in the society since they are promoted by individual’s parents, teachers as well as other social groups in the society (Verkuyten 345). Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident in this paper that social identities such as ethnicity and religious groups promotes prejudices, discrimination as well as stereotypes of individuals in the society. Islamic groups are mostly associated with terrorist activities in the society, and this increase their discrimination levels in various societies globally including in United States. Works Cited Chelidze, Ana. "Ethno-Nationalistic and Religious-Nationalistic Components of Identity in Post-Soviet Georgia." Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe 34.2 (2014): 1-20. Karpov, Vyacheslav, Elena Lisovskaya, and David Barry. "Ethnology: How Popular Ideologies Fuse Religious And Ethnic Identities." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 51.4 (2012): 638-655. Verkuyten, Maykel. "Justifying Discrimination against Muslim Immigrants: Out-Group Ideology and the Five-Step Social Identity Model." British Journal of Social Psychology 52.2 (2013): 345-360. Read More