Short Paper #3

Write a short paper answering the following question: What role have race and ethnicity played in the creation of an American identity? You can address this issue either historically (e.g. master slave owners versus slaves, pioneers versus Indians, North versus South, “real” Americans versus immigrants, European immigrants versus non-European immigrants, etc.). Or you can address it in a contemporary context (e.g. globalization, illegal immigration, war on terror, as well as the media, film, television, press, etc.).

In both cases, however, you have to make references to some of the essays we have read in class so far. Although I am interested in your ideas, I also want you to base those ideas on the readings.