How Does Shame Affect Society

Living life in a predominantly white country, is already challenging for people of color, especially while facing the feeling of not belonging in society. It is especially hard for people of color who already stand out from the other people around them because they might be the only person from their race in their neighborhood or community. Because these people already feel like an outcast, they may develop a feeling of shame in themselves or culture due to the fact that they are different from everyone else. For Asian-American kids in populations where there are not many other Asians around them, they can tend to feel misplaced in society. In the novels The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka, the main characters struggle with this feeling of shame directed towards their family, culture, and themselves. Being a part of the Asian-American community, it is easy to face discrimination in everyday life. This discrimination can turn into self loathing and a feeling of shame may occur inside of these Asian-Americans. Due to the struggles Asian-Americans face in life such as discrimination, isolation from their culture, and political events, Asian-Americans may feel a sense of shame in …show more content…
These events can then lead to Asian-Americans being disconnected from their families, culture, and even themselves. But it is up to Asian-Americans, to fight for their culture so that they don’t become disconnected with who they are. Although this is easier said than done, in the end, it will have been worth fighting for your culture, than throwing it all away. It is better to live the life that you want, rather than the life that someone thinks is right for