Question

Can anyone write a response essay for the book "Limits of Whiteness" by Dr. Neda Maghbouleh?

Two or three page essay will be enough!

Answer 1

Introduction - Dr. Neda Maghbouleh in her famous research paper ‘Limits of whiteness’, brings out the real agony faced by the Iranian Americans in the society, educational institution, with the authorities, at jobs and interms of religion. She says that originally, Iranians were thought to be white but when they live in the USA, they are not white enough and they become brown. This racial discrimination has brought a tremendous psychological stress and a feel of alienation among not only the Iranian Americans but also among others such as Asian Americans, African Americans and Latin Americans. It also questions the integrity of the American philosophy of equality that the founding fathers proposed. Dr. Neda Maghbouleh brings out few issues that limits the ‘whiteness’ of the Iranian Americans.

White becomes Brown - Dr. Neda Maghbouleh brings out a paradox that when brown became white legally that is other nationals becoming legal citizens of America, white becomes brown in the society because of the treatment that they receive in the society. Although, legally Iranians had become the citizens of the USA, socially they are illtreated because they are not Euroean Americans. Today, the identity of America according to the European Americans is equal to white and only European white. This social injustice is a prolonging phenomena and it could be seen through out the American history till today.

Racial discrimination in the society - Iranian American children were told by their parents that they belong to a unique race and they are very important people in the world. When the children get to the schools, the scenario is entirely different. White children treat them as secondary citizen by bullying and mocking them. The difference is projected wherever they go, shopping malls, beaches, theatres, parks etc. They are kept reminded that they don’t belong here although they have obtained the citizenship legally. Even the authorities treat them as if they had come there to capture America.

9/11 effect – After the twin tower blast in September 2011, not just Iranians but any Muslim person is stopped anywhere they go by the authorities. White Americans wants to project that Muslim is equal to terrorism. Terrorists are there in all the relions, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and even in Bhuddism where the monks even helped the government for ethnic cleansing. Iranian youngsters who thought they were special people who were also well wishers of the world, suddenly feel otherwise when they were raided for terrorism.

Attachment to the religion – Although they had undergone enough struggle in the name of religion, the bonding towards religion never lost although the second generation Iranian youngsters who were born and brought up in America. They all know that leaving their religion is leaving their physical self and identity.

Attitude Change in Parents – She argues that parents who belong to the first generation has started to accept the way of life because they have to integrate themselves in the mainstream. More radical parents have started to accept the American way of life, otherwise they know that their children will not have a chance to survive the highly competitive society.

Social Media impact – She discusses that the invention of social media has helped the Iranian youth to develop a platform where they could discuss their opinions on race and togetherness. These discussions she says that helped the Iranians gain a rightful place in the political table too and that has ensured that their voices will also be heard.

Conclusion - Dr. Neda Maghbouleh has succeeded in revealing the reality of the Iraninan Americans, their progress, turmoil etc. She is talking about the Iranians specifically because they believed for a long time that they were the real white people but when placed in a place where the colour white has a different interpretation, they are shattered.

The complaint about the American mainstream European white Americans treating other people such as African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans etc. is intensifying even with the radical American political leaders. It is time that America works towards shedding this racial discrimination in the name of colour, so that the country will progress consistently.

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