Summarise and Analysis the article option ethnicities Essay

Summarise and Analysis the article option ethnicities - Essay Example Nevertheless, the tendency of the white remaining as â€Å"hyphenated Americans† is very strong and it is present in a number of political as well as social institutions. She describes â€Å"Symbolic ethnicity† of the white ethnic group from later generations as an American phenomenon that is quintessential (Waters 141). Waters further argues that people have retained ethnicity in their lives just because it permits them to bring together the contradicting values of individuality, community and choice in America. In addition to Waters exploring the symbolic ethnicity of the white middle-class from later generations, she addresses what they cost the society. She compares white middle-class with non-white Americans, who do not have many options. These identities are individualistic. However, there is a huge difference between racial identities that are self-imposed or socially enforced and the individualistic symbolic ones (Waters 143). Waters concludes the article by giving the readers invaluable information about the contemporary American life. Young people in colleges and campuses live together, regardless of their background and still respec t and appreciate each other. This is something that most people cannot do. The present discrimination based on race must stop (Waters 144). The assignment is about summarizing the article â€Å"Optional Ethnicities† by Mary Waters. The purpose of the article is to bring out ethnicity as what it really is and how it plays a very big role when it comes to categorizing and treating people, especially focusing on the privileges of a white person. The article does not target a specific audience as Waters wrote the book so that every American who cares to read it gets enlightened about ethnicity. Ethnicity not being a biological phenomenon, but a social one, is the thesis of this