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  • Essay / Racial Stereotypes in How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie by Junot Diaz

    The short story “How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie” was written by Junot Diaz, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , and centers on a young teenager giving instructions on how to prepare for a date with a "Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl or Halfie". The narrator of the story addresses the reader with informal language and teaches them how to date girls of different races. Junot Diaz wants the story to be witty by mentioning stereotypes of all three races and making a confident but subtle statement about racism in America in "How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl or Halfie." Say no to plagiarism. . Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay The main character of the story is supposed to be a young teenager living in an urban area and trying to win the heart of a girl white. or a half. However, due to his upbringing and culture, he knows he must hide his identity to please a white girl or half. We see in the story that the main character comes from a lower class. He first hides the "government cheese", which indicates that his family is on welfare. The girl's social class will determine to what extent the cheese will have to be hidden. In the third paragraph, the author mentions the “terrace” where the character lives. The “terrace” is represented as the part of the city where the minority group lives, particularly due to social, legal or economic pressures. We can also tell through the discourse of the story that the main character is of a lower education and social class by his jargon that he uses with his friends. “Are you still waiting for that bitch?” Say, hell yeah”; this type of speech takes away credibility from what he says, because we know that he is not the brightest or classiest boy. The narrator then says: “Call her house and when her father answers, ask if she is there. He will ask: Who is this? To hang up. He looks like a director or a police chief. » In working-class neighborhoods, people come to disrespect or fear authority. As the story progresses, the narrator's words and mannerisms change depending on the girl's different race. These observations determine his verbal communication and physical approach to them. “Dinner will be tense. You're not good at talking to people you don't know” shows the awkwardness between different peoples; in this case, it is not only a boy and a girl, but also a “Dominican” and a “half-man”. The narrator begins to mention the importance of "Movement" to the girl, as well as to her parents, saying, "It will sound like something her parents made her memorize." “The Movement” refers to the Civil Rights Movement, whose goal was to end racial segregation in the United States. The narrator then states "your brother's" response to this story: "Man, that reminds me a lot of Uncle Tomming", and the reference to Uncle Tom is implied to have been taken offensively by the girl when the narrator says "Don't I repeat that" in response to the story of the "half". The implication that the "half" was upset by this comment alludes to the sensitive topic of race and racial equality. In fact, "your brother" would say something like that, which also indicates some racial insensitivity among Americans, which shows that people are starting toview these topics as something to be written into the history books. The narrator suggests instead “saying: that must have been hard,” because “she will appreciate your interest. She will tell you more.” The idea that racial inequality is a thing of a bygone era is reinforced when the girl begins her story with "Back then", showing that even she considers it old news. The idea that racial stereotypes are no longer a modern problem is shown to be demonstrably false throughout the story with comments such as "white people are who you want" (403). Even the title implies significant differences in ethnicities and how people look at each other. When the girl states that "black people...treat me really bad," the narrator again addresses the subject of racism as a very real problem for many Americans—something that comes from all people and only breeds negative emotions. “That’s why I don’t like them” is an example of these feelings. These general statements such as "Black people" and "I don't like them" lump all people of one ethnicity into one body and show one person's feelings towards an entire people based on the actions of a few. some. Finally, the narrator says, “You’ll wonder what she thinks of the Dominican Republic.” This is another example of the negative feelings that are expressed when the topic of racism is brought up. Diaz doesn't limit her analysis solely to how the girl's race and class should determine her date's behavior. This also determines the girl's behavior, or at least what the reader should expect from her. Diaz adds flavor to his instructions by giving advice on what to expect. For example, Diaz's short story mentions several comparisons between white girls, black girls, and Hispanic girls. He compares girls sexually and physically. He begins his statement with the phrase “Be serious.” This is a satirical aspect of the play as it refers to the boy making "a move" on the girl. He mentions what a “local girl” can do in this situation compared to a “white girl”. This comparison tells the reader how the speaker interprets these different cultures and what he thinks each race would prefer or do when it comes to sex. Diaz concludes: "A local girl may have thick hips and ass, but she won't be quick to let you touch her...or she might, if she's careless, give it up, but that's rare." On the other hand, “a white girl might just give up on the spot.” The reader is given insight into the speaker's opinion regarding racial depictions of girls. Diaz highlights not only stereotypes, but also the extent to which a person's upbringing and race can determine their behavior. In doing so, Diaz highlights the ways in which social forces of race and class undermine both individuality and objectivity. If our actions are determined by our race and class, where is there room for individuality? If our response to others is determined by race and class, are we courting an individual or a racial/social archetype? Treating another human being as a racial or social archetype rather than as an individual is to trade in stereotypes. The narrator's advice depends on his subjective experience of race and class, rather than on consideration of each human being as an individual, possessing unique responses and desires. It plays at presenting the reader with unbiased truths, but if a reader looks past the authoritative tone, they can see that this advice undoubtedly depends.