Diversity in Society

Diversity in Society

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Diversity in Society

Question 1

The myth of the model minority was first coined by a New York newspaper in the 1960’s. It targets the Asian minority with perceptions that all members of this group are successful and can survive on their own. The members of the Asian American community as they are referred to are regarded as a highly intellectual group with strong family value, factors that make them highly admirable. They have over the years been used as a benchmark in measuring the success of other minority groups living in America. Particular focus is given to Asians from the east, south and southeast parts of the Asian continent. They are perceived to be very exceptional in all their endeavors (Koppelman, 2011). Since the inception of this concept, various American newspapers have been publishing success stories of Asian people, all American immigrants.

However, many people fail to notice the underlying effects of this ideology, which advances false perceptions. According to the authors, it masks the harsh realities of life as a member of this model minority. These realities include racial connotations and classism. Because of this myth, many people cannot recognize that it is not a privilege to the Asian American community. Its members are in fact diverse and the ideology only serves to cause conflicts amongst the group. The Asian American community consists of different groups from Asia, all of which are affected by the pressure of expectations heaped upon them by the myth.

Those from the above mentioned Asian regions such as the south are treated like the white middle class community, while the rest are accorded treatment of a lower class. Classism is further advanced by the assumption that the model minority can survive on its own, therefore little government assistance is accorded them. There are economic differences among the various minority groups that constitute the Asian American community. It is also racist for other groups, more so the majority to assume that merit among Asian Americans is based on cultural dispensation, a fact that makes them overlook the necessities of life, also required by this minority. This myth does not evoke any pride in those it refers to, instead only reminding them of how it perpetuates racism and class exploitation.

Question 2

One of the most common features of the Muslim religion is its insistence on the mode of dressing for its women folk. As part of their religion women have to dress in a manner that ensures all parts of their body save for their eyes are covered. This is in order to maintain their sanctity. On the other hand, Christians are less strict about their dress code. Although certain aspects of their religion call for a particular amount of discretion among women’s dressing, very few Christians adhere to them. Therefore they are not condemned for disregarding this aspect of their religion in the same way as their Muslim counterparts, whose laws incorporate punitive measures for such a violation.

Arranged marriages are also common among certain religions such as in Muslims. It is common to witness girls married off to men of their parents’ choice, a factor that many people from other religions find intolerable. Any attempt to disregard this course of action results in catastrophic events such as being disowned by one’s parents. Other instances have seen irate parents killing their daughters for the embarrassment caused. There are many Christian families which do the same, but not much attention is paid to them. This calls for religious tolerance among people in respect to the existing religious diversity in the society (Kraft et al, 2008).

References

Koppelman, K. L. (2011). Perspectives on human differences: Selected readings on diversity in America. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Kraft J. & Basinger D. (2008). Religious tolerance through humility: Thinking with Philip Quinn. Aldershot, England: Ashgate.