Race and Ethnicity

527 Words3 Pages
1. [2- 4 sentences, each] In your own words, briefly summarize each man’s main point. Walter Benn Michaels says that by focusing on race and diversity we lose sight of the truth and that is: we are all the same race. He says we focus so much on race and racial identities when in reality it does not matter. Henry Giroux says that focusing on race and diversity gives us an opportunity to study and reflect on power based on racial history. 2. [one well-developed paragraph with a thesis statement] Given the two sides presented, (Benn-Michaels – that emphasis on diversity is problematic; Or Giroux – that emphasis on diversity is absolutely essential) Which argument makes the most sense to you and WHY? (For the “why,” you may use examples from the essays, from other research, or from your own personal experience.) Walter Benn Michaels' argument makes more sense than Giroux's, because the idea of keeping diversity apart of our lives keeps America from becoming truly "united." Benn Michaels says that focusing on race as the thing keeping America seperate is entirely wrong. The main problem comes down money and class. Class differences are the sole reason why America is diverse and not united. When focusing on race and ethnicity the real problem of social class differences gets brushed under the rug. If America could realize that we are all the race and focus on social class differences we could really become the United States of America. 3. [3-4 sentences, each] What is a major weakness you see in each man’s argument? Benn Michaels' argument has a major weakness, because what he is asking America, that is to ignore racial differences, is so far fetched that it would never be able to happen. I believe that Giroux's argument is flawed simply because he comes down so hard on the people who want diversity gone. He wants diversity to be there for the
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