INTRODUCTION TO ETHNIC STUDIES-ETHNST 101

The Concept of Color of Culture

Our historical culture is colored, meaning that if there is a culture of color in our racist world, then we also have a color of culture. According to Martinez (2004), culture can have a “color” in that cultural elements like language, customs, and ethnic markers become entirely linked to racial and ethnic identity. For example, speaking a language other than English or consuming unfamiliar food might label someone as being different in a country where white people are the majority, just like having diverse skin tones. Martinez argues that discrimination based on the cultural signifiers of one’s ethnicity functions similarly to discrimination based on skin color alone.  Apart from discrimination, skin color also shed light on the prejudices and cultural stereotypes people may face.

The concept of the ‘color of culture’ helps explain how marginalization occurs not just through racial prejudices tied to physical appearance but also through cultural chauvinism, linguistic imperialism, and the systemic repression of customs work (New York City Cop, 1950). By recognizing the concept, we can better understand the unique forms of racism and alienation experienced by non-white ethnic groups beyond just the black-white racial narratives. Identifying experiences outside this black-white paradigm is crucial because it reveals how white supremacy has operated as a multidimensional system of oppression targeting diverse communities of color through various ways. The concept of ‘color of culture’ has also enabled us to understand some of the complexities that emerge from identity negotiation.  

The documentary Harvest of Empire powerfully illustrates the concept through its chronicling of how successive waves of Latino immigration to the United States were triggered by a long history of U.S. economic and military intervention in Latin America. The documentary offers a unique touching look at the tremendous sacrifices and little-known victories of the expanding Latino minority in the United States (Incarcerated Nation Network INC Media, 2020). Through historical context the documentary highlighted the diverse origins and lived experiences of Latino immigrants, as it also challenges the stereotype of Latinos as a monolithic Hispanic/Spanish cultural group. It shows the ‘color of culture’ in their indigenous roots, varying colonial histories, their reasons for migrating, including economic exploitation, political instability, violence and poverty in the Latin American countries.

As it highlights the plurality of their indigenous roots, colonial pasts, national struggles, and experiences, the documentary depicts Latino identity as multidimensional and firmly rooted in a cross-section of raced, cultural and geopolitical realities that rupture the confines of the black-white racial binary. This means that the Latinx communities play a big role in cultural and social contributions despite the U.S. enacting policies came discrimination and exploitation. I think the “Harvest of Empire” was also meant to challenge dominant narratives about the root causes of Latinx immigration. Menchaca was interested in highlighting the origin of the indigenous people, the blacks and also the Mexican Americans. She concentrated more on the multiracial identity of the Mexican Americans and made us believe it was shaped by Latinx identity. The author challenged the master narrative about Mexican American identities by using factors such as race, language, ethnicity and cultural intersection (Menchaca, 2002). 

References
Incarcerated Nation Network INC Media. (2020). Harvest of empire the untold story of Latinos in America [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gW84cAN2Pw

Martinez, E. (2004). Seeing more than Black and White. Na.

Menchaca, M. (2002). Recovering history, constructing race: The Indian, black, and white roots of Mexican Americans. University of Texas Press.

New York city Cop. (1950). Puerto Ricans: Citizens Yet Foreigners.