This is a Problem
One particular subject I found particularly interesting during my reading was the section on Acculturation, specifically the pitfalls of acculturation. This is because I believe that people who are or aren’t acculturating are treated differently depending on who they are. This Identity denial is a raging problem right now in society, typically directed towards non-white individuals who do not fit into the stereotype of what a person from that area looks or acts like. This rampant stereotyping often leads to different forms of discrimination such as systematic disenfranchisement, humiliation and unjust treatment – and that’s just to name a tiny few. This is even more apparent in cultures like the United States, where people from different cultures interact fairly regularly.
The example which I felt best illustrated this was the textbook’s piece on actress Mindy Kaling. I love Mindy, I think she is an amazing actress and author and all around fantastic in her field. But in my own white privilege bubble didn’t realize that she was asked different questions in her interviews. There is also the study which proves that people will alter their presentation of their identity when being given identity-denying prompts.
Personally, I find this incredibly troubling. I love different cultures and try to embrace all of them the best I can. I acknowledge that not everyone I see on the street is going to match me perfectly and it is something I enjoy. I have such a hard time with the idea that people’s identities can be questioned or even denied because they do not fit the mould of what they should look like and sound like.
This post was really more of a rant than anything else, but it really upsets me that this is still something that happens. My best friend here is an international student and I see them being treated differently than me regularly. Being able to understand acculturation better through this chapter really helps me to recognize other things as well. It makes me wish everyone was given at least rudimentary knowledge of these things. Maybe it would make life a little easier for everyone and do something about the Donald Trumps of the world. One could only hope right?











