Create two peer responses

Main Prompt (Choose ONE Option)

Option A: Thick vs. Thin in Action

Pick one example discussed in the chapter (e.g., race in South Africa before/after apartheid, Italian American ethnicity, Asian American as applied to some groups). In your own words, explain:

Whether the identity is thick or thin (and why)
Whether it is mainly shaped by assignment or assertion (and why)
What would have to change for it to become thicker or thinner

Discussion post 1:

Option A:

Ethnic and racial identities are constructed through social processes that involve boundaries, meanings, and interactions between individuals and society. A boundary separates one group from another, while the meaning attached to that boundary helps people understand what the identity represents. These identities are also shaped by assertion, which is when people define their own identity, and assignment, which is when others label them. Over time, identities can become either thick identity or thin identity depending on how much they organize a persons daily life.

One example from the reading is Italian American identity. The chapter explains that this identity used to be stronger earlier in the 20th century when immigrants lived in ethnic neighborhoods, spoke the same language, and mainly interacted with other Italians. Today it is more of a thin identity because it does not organize everyday life as strongly. Many people still identify as Italian American, but it mostly appears in traditions like holidays or family culture rather than shaping where they live or who they associate with. As the reading explains, Most may still identify as Italian Americans and may do so proudly, but, in fact, that identity organizes little of their daily lives (Cornell & Hartmann, Ch. 4, p. 79). In this case, the identity is mainly shaped by assertion because individuals choose to claim it rather than having it forced on them by society. For this to become a thick identity once again, I believe we would need to see more direct immigrants from Italy moving into these communities and re-instilling some lost traditions and values.

A real-world example of this framework is the identity Asian American. Originally, it was often a label placed on different Asian groups by society, which is an example of assignment. Over time, some people began to embrace the identity for political and social unity, which shows assertion. This demonstrates how identities can change over time and become thicker or thinner depending on social circumstances. shows how identity is constructed through boundaries and shared meanings. The Hmong community maintains its identity through cultural traditions, language, and festivals, which help mark the boundary between their group and the larger society. At the same time, the video shows assertion because Hmong people are actively keeping their culture alive and defining themselves instead of letting outsiders define them for them. This can be understood as a more thick identity since culture, history, and community still play a strong role in everyday life. The video also shows that identity is not just something assigned by others, but something people continue to build and protect through their own actions.

Discussion post 2:

OPTION A

Whether the identity is thick or thin (and why)

Before the apartheid, the race identity in South Africa was thick. Meaning, race held a very vital and important role in society and identity of the region in general. Race at the time influenced where people could live, job opportunities, and treatment people received socially. During this time racial identity largely impacted everyones daily life. Many faced both positive and negative treatment solely for their identity.

Whether it is mainly shaped by assignment or assertion (and why

During this time the government and society assigned these treatments and bias based in racial identity. Everyone had an assigned social position, which impacted jobs and livelihood. Both the government and other institutions played a role in creating these social contracts and maintaining the assignment of social position.

What would have to change for it to become thicker or thinner

After the apartheid government ended race stopped playing such a huge role in daily life and stopped controlling a huge part of what your role was in the society. The Democratic government allowed for more equality and access to opportunities without the obstacle of your racial identity. Race is a very important part of identity and creating shared community. But it also doesn’t completely control who you can be or can’t be in society. Race still plays a huge cultural relevance and helps create a community, which is important. In order for identity to become thicker again, there would to be a societal shift in mindset by the government to create laws that make racial identity necessary to societal opportunities and treatments. Laws would need to be in place to maintain this and so would the people of the government in general would need to be on board with creating a world in which race determines everything.

Requirements:

You should write at least 100 words per response to both disussion posts.

Reference the reading if possible.You may include a variety of the following: your own opinions, your own observations, a different perspective on the same topic, questions you have for the writer, facts you have uncovered through research, comments on the value of what the person wrote. However, simply agreeing or saying you like something doesnt count! You have to explain why and introduce new ideas into the conversation.

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