Race in A Different Mirror’ by Ronald Takaki - 1407 Words

In the first Chapter of the book ‘A Different Mirror’ by (Takaki, 1993) the author embarks on a descriptive narrative that tries to elaborate the concept of a multiracial America. The chapter begins with the author taking a taxi ride in which he is subjected to racial discrimination. The taxi driver questions the author’s origin owing to the fact that his English is perfect and eloquent. This incident prompts a discussion that transpires throughout the chapter as the author tries to explain to his audience that America is a multiracial country with different ethnic groups that moved from their homelands to settle in the United States. The chapter discusses the settlement of various racial groups such as; English immigrants, African†¦show more content†¦The first theme proclaims the royal monarchy by presenting the individual authority held by both the King and the queen. King Ferdinand of Aragon is established as the ruling authority of the Spanish kingdo m. His daughter Queen Juana is presented as the ruler of the two regions of Castile and Leon. God is recognized as the supreme creator of both the heavens and the earth. The origin of man is explained through the creation of Adam and Eve, whom are the original ancestors that all men and women descended from. The author then tries to explain the events that led to the formation of kingdoms, which is attributed to the fact that a single kingdom could not be sustained. This resulted in the division of mankind into various kingdoms. The second theme elaborates the transition of power from God to the monarchs. This transition occurs through an intermediate institution that transfers divine power through religious mechanisms onto a political leadership. Divine power form God is transferred onto the Papacy that is given supreme authority and dominion over all men. St Peter is the first pope whose kingdom is centered in Rome form where he rules over all men: Gentiles, Jews, Christians and any other religious groups. The Papal lineage is established as the supreme power structure and all Popes that descend from St Peter are treated with the same respect and proclaimed as lord and king. One such pope is responsible for donating the lands of the Americas onto the King andShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Article What Every American Should Know 1450 Words   |  6 Pagesarticle to make his point of view even stronger. Ronald Takaki and Albert Murray are the two authors that Lui uses. When Murray and Takaki point of view s are presented in the article each of them uses different word to describe the diversity in their eyes. Takaki compares his point of view with Kaleidoscopic and Murray uses the example of hybrids. These two authors are well known due to multiculturalism and common cultures books â€Å" A different mirror and The omni Americans Liu mentions them andRead MoreThe Goals Of A College Curriculum1634 Words   |  7 PagesThe Manner in which Takaki Brings about the Goals of a College Curriculum There are a significant number of goals that are essential for a college curriculum. In order to be a successful student in college, a college curriculum gives individuals an opportunity to explore themselves and the people around them, and it also shows them how to be independent so that they can be able to cope and successfully accomplish these goals to prepare themselves for their future lives. For example, skills, suchRead MoreRacial Segregation - Essay792 Words   |  4 PagesPractically all races in America can trace their roots from different parts of the country. From the African-American to the Korean- Americans, and the Hispanic to the Irish people, all these represent the different faces of American people. However, the co-existence of these different races has not been smooth sailing. They have experienced racial discrimination, mostly from white Americans, who felt threatened by the increasing influx of the ‘foreigners’ in America. Following Ronald Takaki view in hisRead More Americas Culture Essay1589 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica’s Culture America is cultural diversity. It is not home to one race or one culture. The building of American history was done through Irish, Black, Japanese, Korean, and many other cultures combined. The people of these various backgrounds came together for a common cause. To attempt create the society that they believed was better than there original origin’s way of life. Many of these founders undertook great hardships and some even death to create something that some people manyRead MoreThe Tough Road to True Freedom Essay1429 Words   |  6 Pagesall male American citizens, in spite of their color or race. Since then, the United States of America is known as one of the most democratic countries in the world, where many choose to go and pursue their dreams, because this is a place where all men are equal, and all men have the same powers and rights to fight for their future. Yet, nothing is perfect. While this seemingly perfect disguise of America attracts most people, Ronald Takaki, who is a preeminent scholar of the United States’ diversityRead More Race vs. Social Class Essay847 Words   |  4 PagesRace vs. Social Class THESIS: Race differences in identity and social position were, and are, more important than class differences in American society. Events in the nineteenth century made it abundantly and irrefutably clear that race as a concept sui generis superseded social class as the dominant mechanism of social division and stratification in North America. (Smedley 219) For many decades people have been using race as a way to classify humans into different social categories. LowerRead MoreNo More Miss America By Robin Morgan Essay932 Words   |  4 Pagessubmissive and sexist inferiority and racial beauty criteria within the structural side to be approval by men. However, there was intersectionality in the structural obstacles and representation side extending the social discrimination based on gender to race and class. The social behavior of social obstacles and representative side have an ideological origin of two contradictions stemming from, creating psychological tension with Founding Fathers’ principle â€Å"all men are created equal†: white supremacyRead MoreSocial Construction of Race and How It Affect s Society Essay740 Words   |  3 PagesHumans define race by how they conceive and categorize different social realities. Thus, race is often referred to as a social construct. The differences in skin color and facial characteristics have led most of society to classify humans into groups instead of individuals. These constructs affect us all, and they often result in situations where majority racial groups cause undue suffering to those that are part of the minority. The understanding of race as a social construct is best illustratedRead MoreRacial Prejudice And Racial Discrimination During The 1920 S1585 Words   |  7 Pagesduring the 1920’s illustrates a small peek into the history of race and ethnicity in America, we can see how racial hostility, and the Anglo-Saxon view of a white American identity played a major role in defining the color line in American culture. Consequently, rather than enjoying equal liberties as did any other American citizen, African Americ ans faced many political, social, and economic discriminations that only proved that race was nothing more than a socially constructed product of hatredRead MoreRethinking The Color Line, By Jennifer Lee And Frank D. Bean1660 Words   |  7 Pagesmixed-race grow up and have their own children? How will that affect racial categories? These questions are answered in article 11 titled Beyond Black and White: Remaking Race in America by Jennifer Lee and Frank D. Bean, in the book Rethinking the Color Line by Charles A. Gallagher. The trends in publicly celebrating and affirming the racial identities of multiracial individual’s shows hope for the â€Å"loosening of racial boundaries† (91). But what does that mean for children of mixed-race unions