“My culture is my identity and personality. It gives me spiritual, intellectual and emotional distinction from others, and I am proud of it.”-M.F. Moonzajer.Racial identity has always been a complex subject in America. For as long as anyone can remember there have been debates on the significance of racial identity, specifically in minorities. Lorraine Hansberry also tries tackling this topic in her play A Raisin in the Sun.The play is about a family trying to make their way up in the world in south side Chicago. During the play one of the main characters, Beneatha is trying to find her identity. Throughout her struggle she has relationships with two men, Joseph Asagai a close friend from Nigeria and George Murchison the wealthy man she’s dating.Hansberry uses the different views and backgrounds of Asagai and George to represent how people in the same racial group have differing opinions on culture.They also represent Beneatha’s struggle to form her own identity.
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George tells her to go change, but Beneatha refuses.They get into a small argument about the oppressive American culture. George replies by saying “Let’s face it, baby, your heritage is nothing but a bunch of raggedy - assed spirituals and some grass huts!” (#81) This line is particularly interesting because he says “your heritage” instead of “our heritage.”It shows he does not think of himself as being a part of this African heritage. He sees his culture as
George tells her to go change, but Beneatha refuses.They get into a small argument about the oppressive American culture. George replies by saying “Let’s face it, baby, your heritage is nothing but a bunch of raggedy - assed spirituals and some grass huts!” (#81) This line is particularly interesting because he says “your heritage” instead of “our heritage.”It shows he does not think of himself as being a part of this African heritage. He sees his culture as