The issue about “race” is still of great significance in today’s societies. Recent incidents like racist slurs at football games show how deep racist tendencies are still embedded in people’s minds – in spite of consistent awareness raising and information. However, these examples show only the peak of racist tendencies. Racial imagery in media and arts is central to the organisation of the modern world (Dyer 1997: 1). Furthermore, the scientific “foundation” of theories of “race” continues to be a disputed question for biology as well as for the social sciences (Lang 2000: x).
This essay is about the implications of the term “race” and the coherence of “race” and identity. It implements a postmodern approach to the understanding of identity and applies this concept to the representation of "the other" in a recent newspaper article.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Definition of terms
- Postmodernism
- Identity
- Race
- Two Perspectives - Constructionism versus Essentialism
- Race as a social construct
- The Structure of Identity
- Racialisation
- Two Sorts of Racism
- Whiteness
- Characteristics of a postmodern Understanding of Identity in relation to “Race”
- A contemporary example
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the complexities of "race" and identity within a postmodern framework, analyzing how "race" is understood as a social construct. It aims to provide a nuanced understanding of identity in relation to "race" by examining the interplay of essentialism and constructionism.
- The postmodern understanding of identity
- The social construction of "race"
- The significance of racialisation in society
- The impact of "race" on identity formation
- The role of power structures in shaping perceptions of "race" and identity
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the stage by highlighting the enduring significance of "race" in contemporary societies, illustrating its presence in everyday life through examples of racist behaviour and media representation. It establishes the essay's focus on exploring the concept of "race" and identity through a postmodern lens.
The "Definition of terms" section provides a nuanced understanding of postmodernism, emphasizing its rejection of universal truths and its focus on the de-centeredness of meaning. It then explores the various meanings of "identity" and its shifting nature in a postmodern context, acknowledging the influence of social forces and the complexities of identity construction.
The "Two Perspectives - Constructionism versus Essentialism" chapter delves into the contrasting viewpoints on "race," highlighting the debate between those who see "race" as a biological reality and those who argue for its social construction. This sets the foundation for the subsequent analysis of "race" as a social construct.
The chapter on "Race as a social construct" examines how "race" is not a fixed, biological category, but rather a socially constructed concept that varies across time and place. It explores the role of power structures in shaping racial categories and their impact on individuals and societies.
The "The Structure of Identity" section delves into the intricate ways in which identity is formed and shaped. It highlights the influence of social factors, such as "race," and examines how identity is a dynamic and multifaceted construct.
The chapter on "Racialisation" examines the process by which individuals are categorized and assigned to racial groups, exploring its implications for identity, social interactions, and power dynamics.
The "Two Sorts of Racism" chapter analyzes different forms of racism, examining both overt and covert expressions of prejudice and discrimination. It sheds light on the multifaceted nature of racism and its impact on individuals and communities.
The "Whiteness" chapter investigates the concept of "whiteness" as a constructed category, exploring its privilege and its role in maintaining racial hierarchies.
The "Characteristics of a postmodern Understanding of Identity in relation to “Race”" chapter synthesizes the previous discussions, outlining the key features of a postmodern understanding of identity in relation to "race." It highlights the fluidity, multiplicity, and uncertainty of identity within a postmodern context.
The "A contemporary example" chapter applies the theoretical framework developed throughout the essay to a real-world case study, illustrating the complexities of "race" and identity in a specific context.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The central keywords of this essay are: postmodernism, identity, race, social construction, racialisation, racism, essentialism, constructionism, power structures, and situated knowledge. These terms encapsulate the core themes and concepts explored within the essay, providing a framework for understanding the complex relationship between identity and "race" in a postmodern context.
- Quote paper
- Christoph Behrends (Author), 2005, How to conceptualise a postmodern unterstanding of identity in relation to "Race" , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/82676
