Question

Choose a passage (a phrase, sentence, or multiple sentences working in concert) that you find particularly interesting from two of this unit’s texts—Richard Rodriguez’ “The Chinese in All of Us,” W.E.B. Du Bois’ “Of Our Spiritual Strivings,”. In a 50+ word response to each passage, fully and sharply explain what you find interesting about the passage and why (because you think it captures the essence of something; because you like the author’s use of language/a pattern of development; because it compelled you to consider something [or an element of something] that you had never considered before; because it provided you with a clear vision into the complexities of an issue; because the tone of the author’s voice really struck a chord with you; etc.). Make sure that you respond to two passages and that the passages you choose do not come from the same text.

Answer 1

From "The Chinese in All of Us" by Richard Rodriguez:

"Race is an idea, not a fact."

I find this passage interesting because it highlights racial identity's subjective and constructed nature. By calling race an "idea," Rodriguez emphasizes the cultural, historical, and political factors that shape how we understand and categorize race. He challenges the notion of a fixed and biologically determined racial identity and highlights how racial categorization is shaped by social, historical, and political context.

From "Of Our Spiritual Strivings" by W.E.B. Du Bois:

"It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity."

I find this passage interesting because it captures the experiences of African Americans and the duality of their identity in a racist society. Du Bois' use of the phrase "double consciousness" reflects the struggle of African Americans to reconcile their cultural heritage and identity with the dominant cultural expectations and stereotypes imposed upon them by society. This passage provides a clear insight into the complexities of race and identity and highlights the impact of racism on the lived experiences of African Americans.

Step-by-step explanation: