How does Takaki Utilize Shakespeare - Essay Example

?Sociology PART Question B. How does Takaki utilize Shakespeare (who uses the tempest) to help us understand race/ethnic relations in America? How does race/ethnicity play out in America during the founding of America, before and after Bacon’s rebellion? What does Takaki mean when he refers to the “Giddy Multitude”? Would Takaki say that “the hidden origins of slavery” was rooted in race or class? Tempest was strongly supported by William Shakespeare as he felt that it was a revolutionary movement that could shape up the nation to see a better future. Takaki utilized Shakespeare’s preaching about the Tempest for giving a proper clarity to the concept of race/ethnic relations in America. In the post occurrence of Bacon’s rebellion in America, the situations relating to the race/ethnicity was quite different. Bacon’s rebellion generated a hatred for White Freeman. The rebellion also generated a march against the Indians. It also led to the killing of Susquehanna (River) and Occaneechee (AQ state park in Virginia). Consequently, the rebellion stimulated many changes in the way race/ethnicity based diversity was view in the region. After the rebellion, the degree of violence and ferocity was observed to have minimised significantly, contributing toward a more stable structure of America’s socio-cultural environment. According to Takaki, “Giddy Multitude” was a term that was used for describing different discontented classes of people which included slaves, servants and free persons, who were deprived of basic amenities to support life. Reading Takaki’s notions, he was quite likely to agree that “the hidden origins of slavery” was rooted in different races or classes of people and during the era of 17th century when mostly Black people were treated as slaves in America and subsequently were discriminated in the American society (Takaki 1-159). Question C. How does Takaki define “Sambo”? Was “Sambo” real or unreal? In your assessment, explain “impression management,” i.e. front stage/backstage acting, in daily life on the plantation. Takaki defined ‘Sambo’ as a social term which he used to describe a person who belonged to the African Heritage, i.e. the Black or African American. Takaki also explained ‘Sambo’ to be native of mixed American heritage. Takaki felt that the Sambos were meant for providing services to the people of other race/ethnicity who were perceived to belong from a higher social class, as they were considered inferior and backward by the society. It was not clearly identified that whether Sambo was real or unreal in Takaki’s narration, as the slaves were depicted to behave like the Sambos which does not prove that whether these slaves were really Sambos. With reference to Takaki’s narration, ‘impression management’ can be understood as the art of creating and preserving a positive image of oneself in the eyes of others. For example, artists perform on the front stage with much dedication for the sole purpose of getting success and for creating a positive image in the eyes of the spectators. However, it is very difficult to maintain the same behavior in the backstage which is a major source of challenge for managing the talent of artists which needs impression management (Takaki 1-159). Question D. On 29 April 1992, in the midst of one of the most destructive race riots in America’s history, Rodney King asked the question, “can we all get along?.” Given our history of prosperity for some, “Calibanization” for others, can we truly get along? On the micro-level, what can we do to eradicate bigotry, racism, sexism, and classism in our united states? “Can we all get along?” - this question was laid down by Rodney King in context of the numerous conflicts that took place during his days in America. The rising tension between different castes and classes of people led to the utterance of such statements from Rodney King. As was observed by Rodney and narrated by Takaki, different types of conflicts between different classes of people created significant obstructions in equal distribution of resources thus hindering socio-economic advancements. Discriminated classes of people also feel victimized by “Calibanization” which is meant to differentiate inferior classes of people. Therefore, taking the history of such discriminations, getting along is quite likely to be a significant challenge which is subjected to effective governmental interventions. For eradicating bigotry, racism, sexism, and classism in the US, all the citizens must be taught about the values of different cultures and races. The uniqueness in each religion, culture, gender and race should be highlighted to all the citizens of America. However, in order to implement these kinds of initiatives, assistances and proper supports of the government is required at all levels (Takaki 1-159). PART 2 Question 1. Which group’s experience struck your fancy? Was it the Jews, Blacks, Whites, Irish, Mexican Americans, Native American, and/or Asian Americans? Which group would serve as a “model minority,” that is, the group that in spite of oppression rose to the apex of society? Can we learn anything from the vanguard of this group? In the light of cultural diffusion, can we learn from all of the racial/ethnic groups in America? Utilize the class text and other readings to address this comprehensive question. The involvement of the Black people proved to be striking in the cultural movements organised within America. They made various efforts for gaining acceptance in the country by way of serving the nation from the ground level. These people have been actively involved in the cultivation of cotton. The Blacks were also a major part of the steel mills in Alabama forming a major proportion of the nation’s workforce. Furthermore, they were also involved in the manufacturing fields where they manufactured electrical wires which were made possible through the extraction of ‘red metal’ that was performed by the Blacks community. The blacks were involved in performing ground level activities and also served with industrial purposes. In spite of the racial discriminations and oppressions that rose against them, it was found that they served the country in a unique manner and can thus be considered as the ‘model minority’. It can be learned that from true dedication and hardships, one can certainly gain a respectful position in a society or a country. However, one needs to keep patience and keep on serving his/her duties. Question 2: In the light of Barack Obama becoming the first African American President, have we finally gotten over racism in the United States of America? Are we living testaments of America’s creed, e. Pluribus Unum? Consider all of the readings, class discussions, etc. What would Ronald Takaki say about race and racism in the 21stcentury, especially after the election of Barack Obama as the first “Black” President? Are we now living in a post-radicalized America? Can we now dump the race “experts” … and now talk about something else? Do you think Blacks, Whites, Asians, Hispanics, Arabs, etc. can come together on any critical issues facing this country? After Barack Obama’s election as the first African American President, things have taken a positive turn in America in respect of race/ethnicity. There were lot of developments witnessed indicating towards a strengthening unity among different castes and races of people. There are still issues that are needed to be addressed in America, such as the misrepresentation of the Black community people by showcasing them as majorly involved in unsocial activities through media. Nevertheless, as compared to the past, things are lot better now. Today, the American socio-cultural environment is much open to accept racial/ethnic diversity without discriminating the classes. Applying Ronald Takaki’s philosophy and understanding of racial/ethnic discrimination, it can be affirmed that Takaki would have most probably agreed that American society has changed and become more open in accepting racial/ethnic diversity which is proved by Barack Obama’s selection as the first African American president. However, it is strongly suggested that dumping of the race experts shall be an irrational idea as they have provided much aid and contribution in the identification and mitigation of various issues related to racialism and cultural issues. Even in the current phase of American society, discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender and class can be witnessed which signifies that race “experts” are required, and cannot be dumped. It is in this context that critical evaluations of such prospects underlying the post-modern American society can contribute towards its betterment over the long-run. Works Cited Takaki, Ronald. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. United States: eBookIt.com, 2008. Print. Read More