Do contingencies and social identities
impact people's lives in the social spectrum? For one to respond to this
question, there is a need to have a clear understanding of the phrases
highlighted. An individual's social identity is defined by their membership in
a particular group such as ethnic groups, including blacks, whites, Caucasians,
and Hispanics. In his article “At the Root of Identity, from Whistling Vivaldi
and Other Clues to Stereotypes Affects Us,” Steele focuses on the two groups of
people in the golf club, black, and whites, to support his assertion on social
identities. Furthermore, he uses a variety of stereotypes coupled with
contingencies to reveal to his audience the nature of golfers. Therefore, I agree
with Steel’s argument on how social identities and contingencies play a role in
shaping people’s lives.
Social identities, such as ethnic group
membership, play a significant role in dictating their performances. According
to Steele "Jeff and his colleagues reasoned that it had something to do
with their being white" (560). Indeed, this unveils an exciting topic on
the norms in different educational institutions across the country. A clear picture of contingencies coupled with
white social identity is well-outlined, giving a plausible explanation on how
individuals perform differently in diverse fields. Therefore, it is crystal
clear that white students capitalize on various stereotypes and contingencies,
thus negatively affecting the performance of individuals of color. Indeed,
ethnic group membership has a role to play in shaping people’s lives.
Pathos
Gender profiles and their recognition
helps influence individuals' lives in the social context. Stereotypes that
associate with people’s gender determines their behaviors, thus forming a blueprint
in their future lives. In her article “Bad Feminists,” Gay a renowned American
writer argues that "the article also reveals how shocked Tsarnaev's
friends and neighbors were to learn he and his brother were responsible for
such a crime (paragraph 5). From this explanation, it is clear that male
individuals have associated themselves with evil, a norm whose articulation is
evident in different societies. Other
than such criminal activities, young and middle-aged males are susceptible to
unpleasant events such as drug abuse compared to their counterparts. As such,
gender is one of the social identities that dictate individuals’ lives in the
society.
Logos
Racism due to ethnic group membership in
schools is one of the social identities that determine student's performances
affecting the achievement of their primary goals. In many western nations, the
deprivation of various rights to a particular group of people, including Asians
and people of color is evident. In his article “Asians Shouldn't Have to Hide
Their Heritage When Applying to College. I did-and I'll Always Regret It,” Mak
says "I was offended at his notion that we Asians are monolithic and
uniformly prepackaged." Indeed, this reflects how Asians are underrated
based on their potential by their colleague students. Mak argues that their
performance in the technical course including arithmetic is undeniable contrary
to the expectations of many. As such, the utilization of race-oriented
stereotypes reflects how ethnic group membership shapes people's lives.
Alternatively, gender and race stereotypes
associated with violence in video games also make critical differences in shaping
individuals' lives. In their research, “The Prevalence and Consequences of
Racial Stereotypes in Video Games,” Burgess et al. assert that "Stereotypes
may sometimes be consciously processed, but stereotypes can also provoke
thoughtless, nonconscious, impulsive reactions” (292). Indeed, these
stereotypes are known to cause chaos since males are used as instruments of violence.
Also, non-natives in western countries are known for their aggressiveness, thus
negatively influencing their lives. Though there have been relentless campaigns
to reduce the utilization of gender and race stereotypes in the community,
there is a need to come up with more elaborate strategies.
Ethos
In summary, Steel's argument on how
contingencies tied to individuals' social identities make differences in
shaping their lives is on point. As highlighted earlier, social identities such
as ethnic groups and gender play a significant role in shaping people's lives
in society. Notably, these identities have negative impacts on the associated
groups calling for an immediate plan of action to steer individual’s lives in a
positive direction.
Works Cited
Burgess,
Melinda CR, et al. "Playing with prejudice: The prevalence and
consequences of racial stereotypes in video games." Media
Psychology 14.3 (2011): 289-311.
Gay,
Roxane. Bad feminists: essays. BTB Verlag, 2019.
Mak,
Aaron. “Asians Shouldn't Have to Hide Their Heritage When Applying to College.
I did-and I'll Always Regret It.” Slate Magazine, Slate, 5 Dec.
2017,
https://slate.com/human-interest/2017/12/the-price-of-college-admission-for-asian-americans.html.
Steele,
Claude M. Whistling Vivaldi: How stereotypes affect us and what we can
do. WW Norton & Company, 2011.
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