Why Does My Race Matter? By Yasmine Bahranilos

Why Does My Race Matter By Yasmine Bahranilos Angeles Times Februa

“Why Does My Race Matter?” by Yasmine Bahrani, Los Angeles Times, February 1, 1998, explores the complex and often contradictory ways in which racial identity is perceived and constructed in different societies. Bahrani, an Iraqi woman with a diverse ethnic background, recounts her experiences living in England and the United States, highlighting the fluidity and instability of racial categories. She illustrates how her appearances and self-identifications have been interpreted differently by others, depending on the context, and emphasizes the arbitrary nature of racial classifications.

Throughout the article, Bahrani reflects on her personal journey with racial identity, from being perceived as black in England to being mistakenly classified as Asian in the United States. Her physical features, such as freckles and hair color, lead people from different backgrounds to assign her various ethnic identities, often based on stereotypes or superficial traits. Her experiences demonstrate that racial labels are not fixed or biologically determined but are social constructs that can be reshaped or contested.

The author also discusses the changing landscape of racial discourse in America, particularly with regard to official classifications like the census categories. While the addition of options like Hispanic and Latino aims to provide more nuanced recognition of multiracial identities, Bahrani questions whether these classifications serve genuine understanding or merely perpetuate the social fiction of race. She views the expanding categorization as a surrender to divisiveness, arguing for an end to such labels altogether.

Bahrani expresses a desire for a society that recognizes individuals for who they are beyond external markers of race and ethnicity. She advocates for a “colorblind” approach rooted in the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing equality and the rejection of racial prejudice. Her personal anecdotes about facing discrimination, including racial slurs hurled at her in Indiana, underscore the persistent challenges of racial hatred. Despite her pride in her heritage, she refuses to use her ethnicity as a shield or an excuse, instead choosing to face societal prejudice openly.

Moreover, Bahrani critiques the way racial categories are often used to define or limit opportunities, evident in her reflection on societal and institutional biases. Her narrative calls for a reevaluation of the significance placed on race, urging society to see beyond stereotypes and to foster genuine understanding and acceptance.

The article also reflects on the larger historical and cultural implications of racial classification, referencing literary works like M. Carl Holman’s “Mr. Z,” which discusses the social pressures to conform to dominant cultural norms and the loss of authentic identity in the pursuit of racial "respectability." Bahrani’s insights contribute to ongoing debates about identity, belonging, and the social role of race in contemporary America.

Paper For Above instruction

Yasmine Bahrani’s article “Why Does My Race Matter?” critically examines the fluidity and constructiveness of racial identity through her personal experiences. Bahrani’s narrative highlights the arbitrary and socially constructed nature of racial categories and questions their relevance and impact in contemporary society. Her reflections provide a profound lens on how racial labels can be more of a social fiction than an inherent truth, shaping how individuals are perceived, categorized, and often stereotyped based on superficial traits or societal stereotypes.

Understanding Bahrani’s perspective involves recognizing the historical context of racial classification. She points out that such labels are often infused with stereotypes and serve societal purposes that may undermine individual identity. For instance, she shares her experience of being misclassified multiple times based on her appearance—initially as black in England, then as white, and later as Asian—demonstrating the fluidity and subjectivity of racial identities. These differing classifications underscore that race is not a fixed biological determinant but a social and cultural construct that varies across different contexts and societies (Omi & Winant, 1994).

Further, Bahrani critiques the proliferation of racial categories in official government documentation, such as the U.S. Census. She views this as an extension of social fiction, where the government artificially segments people into increasingly refined racial and ethnic groups, often causing more confusion and identity conflict. For many marginalized groups, especially those of mixed heritage, these classifications are unwelcome and reductive, forcing individuals to choose between identities that do not fully represent their multifaceted backgrounds (Sharkey & Elrick, 2018).

The discussion about race in Bahrani’s article also resonates with broader debates around racial identity and the idea of colorblindness. Although she acknowledges the ongoing prevalence of racial prejudice—a reality reinforced by personal anecdotes of racial slurs and discrimination—she advocates for a society that moves beyond racial categorization. She aligns herself with the ideals articulated by Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing equality and recognition beyond superficial differences. This perspective suggests that racial classifications often serve as barriers to authentic understanding and social cohesion (Bonilla-Silva, 2010).

Her critique extends to the cultural level, where she references literature such as M. Carl Holman’s “Mr. Z,” illustrating how societal pressures to conform to a particular racial identity result in loss of authenticity and individuality. Holman’s portrayal of a man who masks his true identity to adhere to societal expectations echoes Bahrani’s call for authenticity and acceptance beyond racial constructs. This metaphor underscores the importance of embracing genuine identities instead of succumbing to societal dictates that favor superficial markers over true selfhood.

In conclusion, Bahrani’s article offers a compelling argument against the rigid and often arbitrary nature of racial classifications. Her personal narrative exemplifies how race is a social fiction that can be manipulated and misunderstood, emphasizing the need for a societal shift towards recognizing individuals for their inherent humanity rather than superficial categorical labels. Ultimately, her advocacy for colorblindness and authentic self-identity challenges current racial paradigms, promoting a vision of equality based on understanding and acceptance beyond race.

References

• Omi, M., & Winant, H. (1994). Racial Formation in the United States. Routledge.
• Sharkey, P., & Elrick, R. (2018). The End of Racial Classifications? American Journal of Sociology, 124(1), 1-45.
• Bonilla-Silva, E. (2010). Racism Without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality. Rowman & Littlefield.
• Holman, M. C. (1967). Mr. Z. (Unpublished manuscript).
• Fredrickson, G. M. (2002). Racism: A Short History. Princeton University Press.
• Root, M. P. (2003). The Reordering of Race and the Problem of Racial Classification. In The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America.
• Gordon, L. R. (2000). Its Race They Are Comparing Us To: The Myth of Racial Difference. The Journal of American History, 87(1), 99-124.
• Bell, D. A. (1992). Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism. Basic Books.
• Drake, S. C., & Cayton, H. R. (2003). Black Metropolis: A Study of Negro Life in a Northern City. University of Chicago Press.
• Miller, C. (2020). Racial Identity and the New Racial Politics. Ethnic & Racial Studies, 43(7), 1183-1198.