QIAN ZHANG, ASA 115, Week 5 Blog

Race is a common social factor that people use to identify and differentiate with certain groups. Over the past decades and centuries, race has influenced life in numerous ways. Growing and living as a mixed race can prove quite challenging for individuals compared to belonging to a single race. Kieu Linh Valverde uses Doing the Mixed Race Dance: A Multiracial Vietnamese American Class Typology to discuss the issues experienced by mixed race individuals, while providing her perspective from an Vietnamese American community.

One of the main questions that mixed race individuals encounter revolve around their belonging. It is simpler for single race individuals to have a sense of belonging, as they associate with one specific culture or race. However, a mixed race person has to deal with the dilemma of selecting the race or culture that they associate and relate to more or end up selecting both. As a Vietnamese American, one has to embrace elements of both Vietnamese and American cultures. Vietnamese Americans face the same issues and challenges that all other Asian Americans encounter in the US. The stereotypes that apply to Asian Americans also apply to Vietnamese Americans.

The American society has a huge role and responsibility in accepting diversity and inclusion. The challenges that multiracial individuals face in trying to find and develop a sense of belonging and the constant questioning in the American society is unnecessary. The American society should work towards the formation of an inclusive community that allows the interaction of various groups and communities, without any social judgement. It is imperative to abolish the existing stereotypes that lead to the criticizing of various communities, cultures, and their people. Overall, the American community should work towards creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all racial and ethnic groups, including multiracial people.