their first ‘race crisis’ when they moved to North Carolina from New York. North Carolina had a lot of differences from New York, such as no Russians, Puerto Rican professors, or mixing between kids of one race with another. On their first day of school, the narrator walked into their second class and decided to sit next to a group of friendly looking Hispanic girls. As soon as they sat down, one girl snickered to another in Spanish, and her friend blushed and replied in English. This was the narrator’s first ‘race crisis’. Growing up in an environment where it was normal to be colored and speak to in Spanish did not prepare the narrator for how people in other places perceived their skin. The narrator’s crisis continued for years, when the violence broke out in middle school between the African-american gangs and the Hispanic gangs and the students spoke among themselves on who was best. Even now as an adult, people are constantly trying to restrict the narrator into a specific mold and identity, such as eating tacos and banging to Meek Mill. However, the narrator has learned that just because they don’t fit into one specific mold does not mean they are any less of who they are.

The discussion and reading are based on the same thing which is identity politics so I’m going to explain it both the same way since it revolves around the same topics. How this week’s reading by Garza and Williams expand my understanding of identity politics because it shows how everyone’s perspective and sense of self have a big effect on others if it has to do with ideology, ethnicity, nationality, religion, etc. It expands my understanding because my not knowing what identity politics is at first and then learning it based on the discussion and readings made me have an open mind about identity politics. When reading “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black To Be Latina” I learned about how Aleichia Williams dealt with her identity. From getting mistakenly raced at a young age and the way others would identify her in ways that were very disrespectful. She shows us how people can be inconsiderate of one’s image or portray them in a way that is incorrect and not valid. But she shows us how everything she has experienced and is still experiencing just makes her embrace who she is and her roots of where she is from. She shows identity politics in a way where many of us colored people can understand what she is going through. Garza also explains how politics plays a huge role in identification not only based on one’s background but with how society and biased views are based on what others teach one another. Identity politics shows how when grouped a certain way by others or even systems can have a huge impact on someone and their way of living so instead of teaching how to judge others based on how society views different cultures, ethnicity, religion, ideology, and nationality. We need to teach others how to embrace everyone’s background instead of separating.I think we should learn more about embracings our backgrounds.

“The Power of Identity Politics” by Garza and “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black To Be Latina” by Williams both address important aspects of identity politics and the experience of marginalized communities. Garza’s article explores the power of identity politics in creating social change, and argues that understanding and centering the experiences of marginalized communities is essential to creating a more just and equitable society. Williams’ article examines the experiences of Afro-Latinx individuals, who often face discrimination and erasure within both Black and Latinx communities. Both articles highlight the importance of recognizing the diversity and complexity of marginalized communities. From reading these two text I learned a lot about issues related to intersectionality and the complexity of identity within marginalized communities from two different perspectives. 

Garza shows why she is a singular figure of her generation a generation about which everyone was convinced, she writes, ‘that there was something inherently wrong with us.’ Combining personal and national history, Garza reveals all that is right about a generation forged in the fire of the Clinton-era carceral state and coming of age in the era of Obama-enforced respectability. Refusing to romanticize any moment or movement, Garza explains both the why and the howof meaningful, impactful organizing for and with black communities.

 I learned a lot coming in United States I don’t know if it was because I was young or just because we don’t face most of this things back in my country. I never knew the world racism existed i guess because there was only black people in the country and were only few other races that come to visit, but we were all treated equally and only get inequality when it comes to our class but never because of our skin color. So I was actually very surprised that even in high school soe kids would not want to get involve with you because I was black and especially those who came from Africa we have a really bad reputation in the United States so most of the people treat us differently, I got use to is by now but when I was 16 years old I was so confused and would get really hurt by those treatment. But I understand that every country are different and I am glad that I traveled to know and be aware about this it made me learn so many things. 

“The Power of Identity Politics” by Garza and “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black To Be Latina” by Williams both address the difficulties of identity and the importance of identity politics in society.

Garza contends that marginalized people may use identity politics effectively to question the current quo and seek change. She observes that identity politics enables individuals to acknowledge and celebrate their distinct identities while fostering community and solidarity with those with similar identities.

In contrast, Williams highlights the difficulties of juggling several identities, particularly as a Black Latina. She notes that many people struggle to comprehend her identity and frequently try to pigeonhole her into one of two groups rather than acknowledging the depth and diversity of her experiences.

These two interpretations emphasize recognizing and honoring persons’ many identities. They also stress the need for society to acknowledge the systematic disparities for excluded groups and work to create a more inclusive and fair community.

Identity is about having a sense of place, about what you have in common with other individuals and what makes you unique. It provides you with a sense of personal place at its most fundamental, the reliable foundation of your uniqueness. But it’s also about your complicated interactions with other people, relationships that have grown increasingly complicated and perplexing in the modern world. Every one of us juggles many, potentially incompatible identities that compete for allegiance within us: as men or women, black or white, straight or gay, able-bodied or crippled, “British” or “European”… The possibilities for the list and our possessions are virtually limitless. By and for the new social groups that entered the public consciousness in the late 1960s, such as the black movement, feminism, lesbian and gay liberation, and others, “identity politics” was initially established. The agony of the Left over the past ten years has included the problem of how to incorporate these innovative but ethereal and potentially polarizing forces into the political mainstream. However, the core of contemporary politics is primarily centered on issues of identity. No identity is neutral. Different, and frequently at odds with one another, values underlie the search for identity. By expressing who we are, we also want to communicate who we are, what we think, and what we want. The issue is that these values, wants, and requirements frequently clash not only across different communities but even inside people. Because they involve fundamental, deeply felt questions about who we are and what we want to be and become rather than being merely hypotheses about the world and our role in it, discussions about values are made to be particularly sensitive and tense. Additionally, they raise important political issues, such as how to reconcile our individual and collective human demands.

First of all, I must admit that it is challenging for me to comprehend the history of feminism and its interconnection in a semester, but I’m grateful to have been exposed to fresh vocabulary and perspectives on the world. Having said that, if the assets and income disparity are not properly addressed while considering the distinctive stance of Black women, who are typically underrepresented in the labor force, then black women and women, in general, will not be able to achieve many successes.  Nevertheless, there are a variety of reasons why someone might be marginalized. For example, the fact that I am a woman and an African placed me in a minority, which may cause marginalization due to unequal power. Also, I remembered when I was serving as R.A. a few years ago, I learned that one of my colleagues with fair skin received a higher pay rate despite having less qualifications than I did.

“Paris is Burning” highlighted the problems with a system that is unfair and divides people despite its claims to be inclusive. This is because some of us refused to let go of the prejudice and bias that causes discrimination. In order to create a culture of inclusivity and unity, I thought it was important to address white privilege, which refers to the “undeserved advantages, safeguards, and benefits that people of a certain race enjoy”. Everyone should feel safe, secure, and protected because human rights apply to everyone, regardless of gender, economic class, or race.

Race, gender and capitalism   

It’s so unfortunate that women continue to experience social exclusion and legal discrimination in a capitalist society where advancements in women’s rights have not kept pace with the growth of capitalism. Since women are frequently exploited at home and at work, the system is unfair and prioritizes the subjugation of women over the development of each person’s potential.