Paper Example on Establishing Identity: Interaction, Material Worlds, & Social Behaviors

Personal or societal identity is often established through people's interaction, material worlds, and social behaviors. The prospect of identity implies that a specified group can neither solely rely on their accumulated resources nor bow to interpretation imposed to them by another group to identify who they are and the position they hold in the society (Carmichael, 2007). Identity is an interactive, dynamic, complex, and a critical process that involves explaining oneself with the interplays of psychological and social forces. The United States of America (USA) is one of the states that has a variety of distinguished groups which identify themselves separately. The issue of identity is deeply implicated in the Americans war traditions and the meaning of being a respectable member of the large society (Lasch, 2018). Some of the common groups that have been audible in agitating for their identity include the African-Americans, women, laborers, workers, and the immigrants. The issue of race has been core in identifying an individual as an American. This term paper seeks to establish the rhetorical identity that African- Americans have accorded themselves in America, which gives them an identity different from other groups.

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Freedom Fighters

Introduction

The African-Americas have grouped to identify themselves as the freedom fighters in the US. The journey of the African-Americans has been one of the most difficult journeys towards acceptance in the US after the immigrants. Regardless of the hurdles, the African-Americans have managed to create a unique identity among themselves and to the rest of the world as resilient freedom fighters (Malcolm, 1964). The journey into freedom and acceptance as part of the larger US population began during the early years of the eighteenth century. The eighteenth century was the period where the majority of the African-Americans were transported to the US as slaves. The African-Americans regrouped and uniformly fought after their rights against their masters (Malcolm, 1964). The freedom fights that intended to establish an identity of the African-Americans as part of the USA were spear-headed by the likes of Malcolm X, Du Bois, and Martin Luther King Jr among others. Malcolm X popularly used his common speech of "The Ballot or The Bullet" to agitate for equality for the African-Americans and Muslims in the USA (Lasch, 2018).

Non-Racial Citizens

African-Americans have also identified themselves as an accommodative anti-racism group. The race has been a critical issue that has more than often separated the larger population. They have copied and assimilated the American culture to associate themselves as Americans citizens (Carmichael, 2007). The African-Americans have joined the mainstream of American society. The societal opinion and African-Americans identity have changed significantly from different people to uniform people who share the same believes and dreams for the USA (Dalton, 2015). The African-Americans have created the non-racial identity by fully engaging and supporting the federal government's laws and regulations that favor all the groups in the state. The primary law that has been supported by the African-Americans to initiate their equal identity as part of the American citizens was the abolishment of slavery. The African-American ancestors endured the hardships of slavery during the early years and with the installation of strict laws to tame the vice has been seen as a victory for the whole American citizens. The identity of non-racial citizens is witnessed through the current and coming generations of African-Americans, where they encourage inter-race marriages to curb further differences in race. The African-Americans always agitate for inclusivity (Malcolm, 1964).

Esteemed Leaders

The African-Americans have also identified themselves as a special ingredient in the leadership of the US. The identity is witnessed through a variety of notable African-American figures who have actively championed for a free American state that accommodates all individuals. The early African-American leaders who gained significant prominence in the USA include Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. (Malcolm, 1964). The leadership and development ideas shared by Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were inspirational and practical hence alerting the other races within America that African-Americans too can lead. The visions of Martin Luther King Jr. have widely been shared across America and other nations where he advocated for a free nation. His advocacy was to give all citizens in America freedom to live and use the available facilities without discrimination (Dalton, 2015).

Malcolm X was a prominent African-American figure who often challenged the ruling federal government to ensure justice and equity to all citizens. His sentiments often landed him into troubles with the administration, and he was later assassinated during his rally (Malcolm, 1964). The current generation of African-American ns has followed the footsteps of their ancestors by presenting credible leasers who have placed the American leadership to a higher level. Barack Obama is one of the most popular African-American that has the lead US as the president for two consecutive terms. His leadership style was highly praised, and he dedicated his leadership to his fellow African-Americans and the American citizens at large. Other African-Americans have taken up leadership roles in different states as Mayors among them Stephen Benjamin (Lasch, 2018).

Flexible Diverse Groups

The African-Americans have earned themselves another identity as an accommodative and a diverse group. Unlike other groups such as immigrants who resist assimilating the Unites States culture, the African-Americans fully embrace it as they conserve their practices (Lasch, 2018). The majority of African-Americans practice the American culture at large while they are in the US and also practice their cultural beliefs when they are needed. The flexibility of mastering different vultures helps the African-Americans freely interact with the Americans and uniformly perform the traditional American culture with ease. The flexibility and diversity promote teamwork and facilitates easy socialization. The ability by the African-Americans two engage in American cultural activities has enhanced acceptance hence promoting peace and co-existence (Carmichael, 2007).

Conclusion

Identity is a crucial element in a person's life. It is a self-definition of belonging and acceptance of the society's virtues at large. The USA has defined itself in a variety of ways. The USA's identity definition is partly explained by the existence of the various groups who have different believes and identities to the world. The African-Americans have created unique identities among themselves in the US, which has facilitated its continued stay and expansion. The African-Americans identity is an outcome of prior events which enabled them to unite and work as a group hence gaining n identity by themselves. Some of the identities that the African-Americans have created include freedom fighter, non-racists, diverse group, and a leadership-focused group that can rule and change crucial elements that oppress the American citizens. The leadership identity aspect of the African-Americans has been exhibited by prominent leaders such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and recently Barrack Obama, who has shown distinguished leadership qualities.

References

Carmichael, S. (2007). Stokely Speaks: From Black Power to Pan-Africanism. Chicago Review Press. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/churcher-carmichael.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi3n6j478rjAhWQxoUKHRKTDRUQFjADegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw31ARiNgfQezmefZD-Jc9ad

Dalton, R. J. (2015). The good citizen: How a younger generation is reshaping American politics. CQ Press. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/27627347&ved=2ahUKEwjchcG78MrjAhWMyYUKHYStDMMQFjADegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw1qLcVMKwHYcp7upXi5X_dh

Lasch, C. (2018). The culture of narcissism: American life in an age of diminishing expectations. WW Norton & Company. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://thezeitgeistmovement.se/files/Lasch_Christopher_The_Culture_of_Narcissism.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjDisjr8MrjAhUQ-YUKHSQkCrcQFjACegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw3aNBsEA9jYB-GgOQq3SS_j

Malcolm, X. (1964). The ballot or the bullet. King Solomon Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://edisciplinas.usp.br/mod/resource/view.php%3Fid%3D355933&ved=2ahUKEwjPytSW78rjAhXDxYUKHaS1CVkQFjAPegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw0w-iPtAWuLySgsPv67i-_f