Blog Topic #3

What has changed since the last five plays were written? Do African-Americans still face racism in the military or on the job? Are African-American’s still treated with disdain when they speak Black English? What about the search for identity that Bibi faced in “Letters”? Are there persons of color who face similar challenges today? If so, who are they?

             Much has changed since the last five plays were written even though they were about 20 years ago.  Much advancement in equality has been happening as the idea of racism is slowly fading.  Now that people are judged more on their knowledge, beliefs, and social status, race has been on the back burner.  Although this is true, people of different ethnicities may still be struggling to find out where they fit in and how they should act.  Should they stick to the traditional ways of their ancestors or conform to the life they are living in America?  This conflict troubles many as the culture of their people is continually diminishing.  Acceptance of different language between separate races has also improved; however there is still the strong feeling by many European Americans today that if you are in America you should speak English otherwise you should return to where you came from.  Military wise, there is still discrimination because of race.  Some races are still oppressed by others that feel they are superior.

            In the military or on the job, there is still a negative view on the race of a person.  I recently read a story of a white male in the army who had shot a fellow black unit member paralyzing him from the chest down, because he was African American.  I feel that now a day there isn’t such a problem with race as there is with gender and sexuality.  Women are seen as unfit to complete certain tasks and there is a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy in many jobs and in the military.  Once again, even though there is still discrimination present, there is a huge improvement because members of different races are able to serve with each other instead of in separate units.

            The stereotypical language of different races has slowly transformed whereas before it was seen as atrocious, it is now almost the popular thing to do.  Proper English is becoming less common and slang terms are more prevalent.  Similarly as to the past, the use of slang and improper grammar is still seen as an uneducated person.  Even though this may be true, it is more acceptable to use such language.

            I think the search of identity has become more so for the whole population.  Those who are of a different race do have the issue still today of finding out who they really are and where they belong.  From my experience there are more than those who are of a different race having this problem.  Many people in America are having issues about which path they should be taking in life and having problems with deciding what ideals they need to follow.  The search for someone’s identity may have something to do with race, but I think that there is a larger picture that doesn’t have much to do with the struggles of a culture but the struggles one has about their purpose in life.  Race may be a small part of the larger picture in the hardships a person will experience.