Identity Formation: Racial Stereotyping Nell Bernstein's Goin' Research Paper

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Identity Formation: Racial Stereotyping

Nell Bernstein's Goin' Gangsta, Choosin' Cholita essentially illustrates how teens are discarding their own identities and consequently, claiming those that they prefer. This preferred-identity-adoption culture is most prevalent in the state of California; a factor that has been attributed to the great race diversity in the said state. Bernstein makes use of various teens in California to illustrate this point. April is one such teenager; she is Anglo, but claims a Mexican identity and even mouths and dresses like a Mexican. A significant number of white teenagers in California have, like April, taken on either African-American or Mexican identities.

This readiness to claim preferred identities can be looked at from two perspectives. To begin with, it could be viewed as a positive step towards achieving both a zero-tolerance to racism and better relations between people of different races. The other side of the coin may, however, not be as pleasant. The whole idea could essentially add to the minority groups' stereotypes. This could have detrimental effects on the ongoing structural reforms aimed at eliminating racism in the country. If this is the case, then these teenagers are claiming new identities for all the wrong reasons.

Thesis Statement

Experts have put forward the two ideas discussed above as the possible reasons for the new identity-claiming trend among California teens. My take is that the teenagers' actions have little, or nothing to do with racial tolerance, and are mostly stereotype-driven. This text will illustrate and give concrete facts in support of this stand. Before embarking on the main discussion, it would be prudent to define the two most crucial terms in this text; racial stereotypes and racial tolerance.

Racial stereotype: An oversimplified image or ideas, assumed to represent a certain group's typical features. Stereotypes are often unsupported by empirical proof, and are mostly inherited from generation to generation. The assumption that Black American men love rap music and baggy or oversized trousers is one common stereotype.

Racial Tolerance: This refers to the readiness to appreciate and respect other peoples' cultural practices and beliefs. Racial tolerance is more or less an appreciation for diversity and is often accompanied by an overriding objective, such as ensuring a peaceful co-existence.

Teenagers are the main subject of this discussion. Arguments will be made, therefore, from a teenager's point-of-view. In this regard, I will outline a number of issues that support my position; that the teenagers' identity claims are stereotype-inclined, and not tolerance-driven.

Peer Influence

One notable feature about teens is the high degree of importance they attach to peer groups. They would naturally strive to fit into a particular group. In my opinion, the group more or less dictates the actions of its members. Additionally, it is highly likely that teenagers spend more time with their peers than with their parents (Jeung 73). Due to this, the teens may not find the latter's patterns and customs advantageous. The implication is that, they choose to "take on the characteristics of those around them and those glorified in popular culture, so that their ethnic identities are largely symbolic" (Jeung 73). These characteristics are, however, not factual and mostly depend on stereotypes. However, given that teenagers love to make an impact; they rely on peer groups for the numbers, and then use common stereotypes to develop "their own dress, language and group symbols, which are distinct from their parents' communities," and from what are considered the norms (Jeung 73). These symbols are, moreover, dependent upon ideas that are thought to represent the dominant group's characteristics (Jeung 73). A white teen in Oakland, in summary, may take up some behavior, such as baggy trousers for two reasons. First, because it is the adopted peer group symbol; and secondly, because baggy trousers have over time been associated with African-Americans, the main inhabitants of the area.

Influence from the Media

The media's influence cannot be overlooked. It has massive influence over the youth and teenagers (Hunteman and Morgan 311). As a matter of fact, "every year, a child sees 20,000 TV commercials, and over his or her youth, will spend more time watching TV than in school" (Hunteman and Morgan 311). The media, therefore, plays a significant role in decision making (Hunteman and Morgan 311). Angelina Price alludes to this fact. In her view, televisions shows and movies often depict the 'working class whites' as abusive, dumb and lazy. This is merely a false stereotype because whereas a number of 'working class whites' may fit the description, it would be wrong to use it for purposes of general analysis.

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A working class white, in my opinion, is a person who struggles to achieve success in life. Such a person cannot, in any way, be considered dumb and lazy. This stereotype, though false, has created a more or less lasting image on people's mind; a factor that can partly be attributed to the high degree of media influence.

The same idea applies to this context. A certain image has been created regarding African-Americans' mode of dressing, speech, and music preference. This image has more of a permanent effect, and drives people to associate all Black Americans with baggy trousers, and, say, rap music. The effect is so great that these are now considered typical Black American characteristics. The media, therefore, plays a huge role in identity development, and change, through stereotypes.

So, what happens when a white teenager naturally likes and feels more comfortable in baggy trousers? The logic is obvious; the particular image that has already been created in peoples' minds regarding baggy trousers drives them to believe that the white teen is beginning to claim an African-American identity. If people did not highly associate such features with Black Americans, the teen would be considered to have acted in a way that pleases and satisfies his own self.

Parental Influence

Parents are naturally an important part of a child's life and their identity development. Parental influence takes the form of racial socialization, which helps to develop positive identities. Parents serve as the primary sources of information for their children (Novak and Pelaez 468). In my opinion, parents can influence their children's stereotyping decisions in two major ways; through their racial beliefs, and through the places they choose to reside in. If the parents are largely stereotypic about, say, African-Americans' mode of dressing, then the influence on their child would be similar to that brought about by the media (above).

A second possibility, in this regard, is that the teens may not necessarily be claiming a new culture; and they probably were brought up that way. It has been argued that parents living in areas that are mostly dominated by Blacks would opt to bring up their children as Blacks, so that they can better fit into the society. The implication is that the child, though white, grows and takes up a Black's identity, in accordance with his upbringing. At a glance, the white teen may be seen as having claimed a new identity. The bottom-line is; whichever form parental influence takes, it is based on stereotypes. The parent uses common stereotypes, such as those that link Black Americans to baggy trousers, to gauge the situation and to, consequently, develop the child's racial identity.

Stereotypes in Globalization

The concept of globalization is significant, especially because the world is fast becoming a global village. Young people experience globalization on a more or less daily basis through internet use, friendship links, etc. (Bourn). Globalization is beginning to shape people's lives. Amidst these changes, young people develop an increasing need to find comfort and recognition in their interactions (Bourn). People are finding it useful to construct thought, or even change their identities, just so that they can fit into a particular setting and have a sense of belonging. Globalization applies to this context in a similar way. Teens may get out of their traditional, restrictive cocoons, and embrace diversity in order to better connect with others, either within their neighborhoods, or beyond the borders (Bourn). If it is by putting on baggy trousers that a person would be able to better connect with the people that he widely interacts with, then why shouldn't he? It appears like a change of identity. This text is, however, more concerned with the role played by stereotypes. In the first place, the feeling that this is a change of identity is brought about by the images that stereotypic assumptions have created in people's minds. In other words, it is the stereotypic assumption linking baggy trousers to African-Americans that drives a white teen to consider this an identity change.

Conclusion

The factors discussed lead me to believe that the identity-adopting trend among teens is, to a large extent, driven by stereotypes. People do not have total controls over their identities; rather, a person's identity is connected to their past, as well as their future. Stereotypes from the past play a crucial role in determining a person's current and future identities. I strongly believe that teens' actions are….....

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