March 2022 Edition

Culture & News

Thoughts About Ethnicity   

The world is a diverse place of people, languages, beliefs, and ethnicity. Russia has more than 120 ethnic groups, the Philippines has more than 180 ethnic groups, and Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups. But what is ethnicity? According to the book, Introduction to Sociology 2e (2015): “Ethnicity is a term that describes shared culture- the practices, values, and beliefs of a group. This culture might include shared language, religion, and traditions, among other commonalities (p.227).” ¹ Ethnicity can also involve the belief in a common ancestry. And it can differ among the same race or nationality.

“Historically, the concept of race has changed across cultures and eras, and has eventually become less connected with ancestral and familial ties, and more concerned with superficial physical characteristics” (p. 226). ² As previously mentioned on this blog: 1.) race has several elements, 2.) racism exists as a system of power, and 3.) racism has roots as a war strategy in the Transatlantic Slave Trade (maritime approx. 1482 C.E-1850 C.E). In the case of African Americans, who are the ancestral survivors of enslaved Africans, knowledge about their ethnic origins have been erased by enforced historical amnesia. However, the DNA testing company African Ancestry, allows individuals to trace their origins. They claim to have the largest African genetic database. Based on your results, they can match you to similar genetic sequences, that have a probability of being your same ethnic group. Ethnicity on its own is not testable. But biology can be tested and population genetics can infer ethnicity. The company states its results can trace a genetic family line backwards of 500-2000 years. This testing method can assist individuals in search of their ethnic origins. Some people of the same race can have a different ethnicity. For example, these ethnic differences can be seen in the nations of Nigeria, Russia, and the Philippines.  

Nationality is related to a people within the same geographical area who share a similar culture and common historical identity. If they are a recognized nation on the world stage, their citizens can travel abroad with a passport that designates their nationality (the nation to which they belong). People can have dual citizenship or surrender their nationality for another one. But what can be quite enjoyable is when ethnicity, race, and nationality blissfully collide-especially in the kitchen! While on vacation some years back, in Reykjavik, Iceland, I had lunch at a Jamaican-Icelandic fusion restaurant near the old harbor. The restaurant owners were a husband and wife team. The fish stew served was a generous portion and very flavorful. There I was, an African American eating Jamaican fusion cuisine in Iceland. And loving every bite of it!

Bibliography

(1, 2) Griffiths, Heather and Keirns, Nathan. Introduction to Sociology 2e. Openstax. April 24, 2015. Houston, Texas. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/11-1-racial-ethnic-and-minority-groups 

For Additional Reading

Thought Co.: Understanding the Difference Between Race and Ethnicity (2021)

https://www.thoughtco.com/difference-between-race-and-ethnicity-2834950

💖Note: The African Ancestry DNA company was previously mentioned in the August 2019 Edition, to view click here

Art/Film/Literature

Ty’s Travels Lab Magic

Ty and his older brother Corey visit a science museum in the book: Ty’s Travels Lab Magic (2022) by Kelly Starling Lyons and Illustrated by Nina Mata. They enjoy being scientists and use the power of imagination to continue their adventure. The book has a cute and simple storyline with fun illustrations. It’s a part of the Ty’s Travels “My First I Can Read” series.

Business/Non-Profit News

Doc’s Cake Shop

Darrell “Doc” Darwood is the owner of Doc’s Cake Shop, in Brooklyn, New York. He opened the bakery in 2012 and the business has been flourishing. He learned to bake in his grandmother’s kitchen and she gifted him the recipes for her Southern style cakes. He affirms: “Success comes to those who stick with it.”

Book Review

Too Much Soul    

Cindy Wilson is a woman who identifies as Asian, but states her culture is Black. She shares her unique true story in the book: Too Much Soul: The Journey of an Asian Southern Belle by Cindy Wilson (2018, 216 pages, kindle edition). She was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted by an African-American military couple stationed in the country. Her mother had women’s health issues that often caused miscarriages. Faced with the prognosis that the couple would be unable to have their own biological child, they chose adoption. They returned to the U.S. with Cindy and three years later her mother gave birth to her little brother Adrian. She grew up in the American Deep South: Jackson, Mississippi.  

The book explores the author’s perspective on race, culture, and ethnicity. She’s honest about her journey of self-discovery that includes the search for her own identity and “tribe” and continues to evolve. There is discussion about childhood bullying, family dynamics, and young womanhood. She describes herself as a child and the relationship with her grandfather: “I was a tiny, hyper, latchkey child with a strict mother”(kindle p. 30). “My grandfather’s cooking was where he and I bonded. He loved to cook, and I loved to eat…” (kindle p. 52-53). “When he [grandfather] passed I felt like the one person who really got me was gone. That broke my heart. It was not a feeling based on anything he would tell me, but on how he treated me” (kindle p. 56). It was heart-warming to read about the bond with her grandfather.

The book has motivational aspects, a cute narrative, and humor. There are recognizable Southern Black customs and colloquialisms rooted in wisdom and social etiquette. I appreciate reading about the other side of the transracial adoption spectrum-when African-Americans adopt children of a different race. This was a very enjoyable book to read!

Video (5)

https://youtu.be/NrJMYCroThw