Kwame Anthony Appiah's Racial Identities

The way we identify ourselves is very important in today’s society. We can identify ourselves through morals, clothing styles, or even by the foods we eat. Our identity can be part of our culture, but it can also us stand out from those around us. However, society often takes part in determining our own identity. Everyone falls victim to at least one or two generalized stereotypes, normally based upon race, and others often identify us by these. These identities can be harmful as they can limit our freedoms and individuality. They can also have more serious implications and can limit one’s ability to lead a normal life as well as threaten their own safety. Kwame Anthony Appiah discusses the struggles of living as an African American in some of his writing, including being defined as and by his race. In his excerpt “Racial Identities”, Kwame Anthony Appiah describes the struggles of living under modern racial stereotypes, suggesting that racially charged social identities can have detrimental effects on one’s individuality and one’s ability to be a functioning member of society.
African Americans do not all share the same identity. Appiah states that African Americans “do not have a single culture in the sense of shared language, values, practices, and meanings” (Appiah, 52). As the African race has become more dispersed over time, African Americans …show more content…
Society views many people of color, especially young males, as thugs and criminal. A black man in a sweatshirt is immediately viewed as a threat by anyone passing by. Women of color are often subject to stereotypes too, being viewed as criminals or trashy. African Americans in the South are often generalized as being poor, fried chicken Baptists from the country. African Americans in the North are often seen as poor and ghetto inner city dwellers. Constantly being viewed as a stereotype can have profound effects on an individual’s