Preview

John Steinberg's The Ethnic Myth

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
575 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
John Steinberg's The Ethnic Myth
1) The informal political structure in Chinatown used race and ethic identity for its own advantage. As stated by Kwong, "Chinatown's employers can exploit working people because they are able to ignore minimum labor standards without worrying about government enforcement."(Kwong 81) This exploitation is able to exist because it exemplifies the principles of Imperial China.
The ideology of tax collection and preventing local rebellions within the informal political structure of Imperial China has made its way overseas along with many Chinese immigrants. Although it may be an abomination of civil rights outside the gates of Chinatown, a huge emphasis on tax collection went unquestioned due to the ethnic practices of the Chinese people (i.e. political structures).
2) The Steinberg book possesses the title, "The Ethnic Myth", as an attempt to divulge the parables behind many alleged certainties concerning ethnicity. The title presents a portal to a realm of ethnicity that embodies the potential to reconfigure entire, or fractions of, the reader's perspectives regarding ethnicity. The books exposure of, The Jewish Horatio Alger Story, exhibits information that depicts far more creditable facts for closure on Jewish success, as opposed to more
…show more content…
Embodying high levels of literacy enabled ethnic economic success, and embodying high levels of illiteracy enabled ethnic economic plateau or regression. For example, if a group was highly illiterate then there chances of higher education, which results in a greater chance for occupational security, would be significantly out of reach. Recapitulating on Steinberg's analysis of Catholics and Jews, "Not only did high levels of illiteracy slow the pace of cultural adjustment, but Catholic immigrants also lacked the occupational skills that facilitated economic mobility for other groups."(Steinberg

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In America, the racial divide between whites and blacks is quickly growing. To fully understand racism, it is necessary to look at how power in the hands of white people has consequently led to oppression and racism towards people of color. Many people, particularly whites, believe that racism stemmed from physical differences between whites and people of color; however, if one truly examines racial differences they will see that these so called “differences” are more social than physical. For centuries, white people have held specific biases and prejudices against people of color, claiming that they were inferior to whites. This notion of subordination began because the white men held the highest form of power one can hold; the power of…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Soc 241 Week 1 Assignment

    • 1424 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The white workers mostly hold the most prestigious and rewarding jobs in the company. However, in sharp contrast with the positions held by whites workers, the Chinese workers are significantly over-represented in manual jobs. “ Whites are more likely to find jobs through informal sponsorship networks that place little emphasis on formal credentials, while black applicants tend to be more strictly on the basis of their educational credentials and experience” (Vallas, Finlay & Wharton, 2010). The black applicants disadvantage is similar to the Chinese in my workplace, where the whites applicants usually have the advantage over the Chinese. This shows how the racial and ethnical inequality makes it hard for Chinese to attain higher level occupations and better paying jobs. For some, on the other hand, any job providing pay is better than no job and no way to provide for their family. This is why there are so many over-represented Chinese workers in the manual labor section. Hence, while all employees have a difficult time maintaining their dignity and engendering disrespect from managers or customers, such issues may be especially potent for workers from more disadvantaged social…

    • 1424 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Immigrant Book Critique

    • 1525 Words
    • 7 Pages

    “Where do we go from here?” This is the question that resounded through most peoples’ heads as they walked through the Golden Gates of Ellis Island into America for the first time. Ellis Island Interviews by Peter Morton Coan does a great job describing the history of Ellis Island and the personal encounters of a fraction of immigrants who passed through in their journey to start a new life. Ellis Island was active from January 1, 1892 to November 12, 1954. During that time, more than 24 million people were processed for immigration into the United States of America. The beginning of this book, Coan gives a very thorough explanation of the history of Ellis Island and what happened there. After the background information comes the many different stories of the personal accounts from the last surviving immigrants who came through Ellis Island. 28 different countries are represented in this book with multiple stories for each country about why each person came to America, their experience coming through Ellis Island, and what happened to them after they assimilated into the American culture. After reading this book, Coan makes it clear why we must be informed about the history of immigration, not only because it is our ancestors, but also because of the similarities to immigration issues today. Ellis Island Interviews is a great book to learn about the history of immigration in America.…

    • 1525 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The heavier the burden, the closer our lives come to the earth, the more real and truthful they become. Conversely, the absolute absence of a burden causes man to be lighter than air, to soar into the heights, take leave of the earth and his earthly being, and become only half real, his movements as free as they are insignificant. What then shall we choose? Weight or lightness? (Bashkow, 64).…

    • 980 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Gaining a sense of ‘belonging’ is a universal need but an individual quest, which some achieve and some do not”. Discuss this statement in relation to your prescribed text and two other related texts. The texts “Immigrant chronicles” composed by Peter Skrzynecki, the article “Coming Home” By John Van Tiggelan and the 4-framed cartoon “Patriotism” illustrated by Cathy Wilcox, all develop an idea of how belonging is not only a common need but an individual’s mission that may or may not be attained in society. Each text develops understanding for the notions of alienation, nationalistic pride and the concept of ‘home’ through the use of several distinct elements that portray thorough meaning in relation to belonging in Australian society.…

    • 455 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    iwcutieth centuries, the image of American society as an extension ofEngiiuthors wish to acknowledge the support provided to the second author by the Vilas…

    • 7587 Words
    • 57 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    No more rule by fear 6. The new social order and the economy a. Alliances with diverse social groups b. Encouragement of class mobility c. Economic expansion i. Agrarian base ii. State-owned industries iii. State monopolies iv. Improved economic policies d. Organization of Han cities and society i.…

    • 1086 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    It was clear the Chinese did not fit into either black or white communities. The Delta Mississippi had always been a predominately biracial society. Most people think the Mississippi is black and white and are usually thrown off by a Chinese face with a Southern accent. It would have been easier for whites and blacks to classify the Chinese if they had also been laborers in the cotton field, but as mentioned earlier, the Chinese were quick to take advantage of an opportunity that would redefine their social standing in the Delta society and establish “their presence as businessmen in small grocery stores” (Jung, 17). The location of the grocery store and its customers dictated how people viewed the Chinese owner.…

    • 468 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    By organizing and creating leverage through numbers and consolidation, Asian Americans greatly increased their bargaining power. Taishi Matsumoto mourns his situation in 1937. He feels trapped in his current employ as a carrot washer with no chance of upward mobility. There are "no inspired Messias, no strong organizations to whom I can appeal not only for myself, but for others like me." As an individual he merely remains stagnant. Organization and the coming together of individuals create a strong voice, which he lacks, and therefore is unable to combat inequality or to instill change. Whereas labor unions improved wages, working conditions, and hours, the single effort of Matsumoto changes nothing. Therefore, labor organization is a key factor in Asian American history in attempting to assert the rights of citizenship.…

    • 2386 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    They worked the lowliest of jobs as “cooks, laundrymen, or domestic servants” (497). Many of the Americans complained that the Chinese were taking their jobs, which was true because they worked for less than the white man. The Chinese were also making themselves at home wherever economic opportunities presented, and they also came with their native attitudes. They created Chinatowns in “cities, railroad towns, and farming villages” (500). They had formed groups and clubs among their own people and found safety from violence and prejudice society.…

    • 850 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    |Pluralism |A condition in which numerous distinct ethnic, religious, or cultural groups are present and |…

    • 547 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Chinese Immigration Dbq

    • 261 Words
    • 2 Pages

    While economic competition was a significant factor in passing the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, nativism became another influential factor. Americans started to feel threatened by the massive presence of Chinese immigrants in the United States. In Document C, the speech given to the working men of San Francisco was created to encourage Americans that they need to reclaim “their rightful” jobs, and it was proclaimed, “We should all understand that this state of things cannot be much longer endured.” It is evident that Americans are annoyed with Chinese immigrants claiming jobs, and they feel it is their obligation to accomplish their objective of regaining jobs to reclaim their national pride. Another example of nativism is established in Lee Chew’s autobiography.…

    • 261 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The film China Blue presented to us several key perspectives in post-Mao China. These perspectives shined a light on the Chinese people as they transitioned from farm-life to an oriented urban manufacturing lifestyle. First, the policies and developmental strategies in China’s economic reform that led to the poor sweat-shop conditions encountered by the migrant workers in coastal China? Lastly, the implications of cheap sweat-shop labor in China for the rest of the world, particularly the U.S.…

    • 771 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Characteristics of employment relations in China are now diverging across different ownership forms, industrial sectors and groups of workers. Due to the poor representation by unions as well as employer’s associations, employment relations in China are shaped largely between the employer and workers, with the majority of workers having little bargaining power. The role of state is crucial in shaping employment relations through the enactment of laws and regulations. However, employers seem to find ways to bypass legal constraints and workers tolerate unlawful employment practices for fear of job losses.To some extent, the employment relations are influenced by the Chinese traditional culture that emphasises social cohesion and stresses the importance of social values over individual interests, cooperation over conflict and trust over power.…

    • 1180 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In this paper, I make an attempt to compare and contrast the TAX LAWS between India and China. I have made the analysis along the following four tax categories:…

    • 2245 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays