Socialization Strategies Are Often Influencing

¶ … socialization strategies are often influencing the way that someone will look at a particular race in contrast to one another. As, parents will try to have an impact upon: the way that the child is viewing at the world around them. In some cases, this could mean that the parents will force the children not to associate with a particular group. While at other times, they could make various comments about a particular person and the racial group that they belong to. These are attempts by the older generation to influence the way that someone is looking at a particular race and their role in society.

Evidence of this can be seen with observations from Qunitana (2008) who observed, "The socialization strategies used by parents are designed to promote mistrust against others, which may reflect the exposure to racism that the parents experienced. In these cases, children are made aware of specific incidents affecting others by: the retelling of these events or through the family and folk tale type stories." (Qunitana, 2008, pg. 8) This is important, because it is showing how previous generations will be influenced to a certain extent by these ideas. As, many adults will use these experiences to highlight the impact that they have on their lives.

However, in the majority of cases the attitudes of the individual will be influenced based upon the way that they are looking at the world around them. Where, they do not blindly accept the views of what other adults are telling them about a particular racial group. Instead, they are focused on how their associations with various individuals will influence the way that they are looking at each person. This can lead to differences in how they are seeing a particular individual and their ethnic background. At which point, there is the possibility that there could be a divergence between the views of the older and younger generation. As, the youthful demographic will not accept the beliefs about someone or the way that they are interacting within society. Once this takes place, it can lead to a conflict between themselves and older adults, with them being seen as out of touch with reality.

A good example of this can be found with observations from Sherrod (2006) he determined that within the different generations of all ethnic groups. There will be a conflict between the older and younger generations. The reason why is because, many of the youth are open to new ideas and do not blindly accept what they are told by their parents along with others. Instead, they are focused on looking at world through: their own eyes and making determinations as to if the views of the older generation are correct. This can often lead to a conflict between the two different groups, with the adults believing that they should accept their ideas without question. While, the younger generation wants to look at particular groups based upon how they see it. (Sherrod, 2006, p. 310-314)

In the piece of literature that was written by Gordimer, this is what is happening when you see the different views between these groups. Where, the younger demographic is more open to: people of other races and new ideas. While, many of the adults are continuing to cling to the ideas of the past and they are attempting to impose them upon their children. The information from the source that was written by Sherrod, is illustrating the differences in opinions between the various generations. As, the younger generation is more open minded and will look beyond the typical stereotypes. This is significant, because one could argue that the conflict that occurred from Paulus and Thebedi are larger issues surrounding the differences in opinions about the overall role that race is playing within society itself.

Moreover, the woman is Walker's story is an illustration of how racism is used as a tool to be able to maintain the status quo within society. Evidence of this can be seen with observations from Chin (2004), who found that racism is used as a tool to deny particular groups of people access to certain opportunities and resources. As the system itself, supports these policies, which helps to ensure the continued amounts of favoritism of one group over the other. This is significant, because it is illustrating how the basic function of racism within society is to support the status quo. In Walker's story, the way the woman is treated as a microcosm towards achieving these objectives on a personal level. (Chin, 2004, pp. 226 -- 231)

Clearly, both stories that were examined are studying the impact of racism on multiple fronts. In the book that was written by Walker, they are illustrating the way that this is occurring through the logical result of the system. That is designed to provide one particular group with the resources and benefits over that of the others. Anyone who is attempting to challenge this system is subject to: humiliation, violence and threats on a personal level. This is because of the previous and current generations within society, are willing to go to any means necessary to achieve these objectives.