Ethnic Positioning in Southwestern Mixed Heritage Writing

Southwestern writers and visual artists use their mixed-ethnic heritage to explore cognitive anxiety, stigmas, and perceptions, re-negotiating ethnic identity and creating more complex and engaging concepts of themselves.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

Ethnic positioning in Southwestern mixed heritage writing plays a significant role in transforming a stigmatized identity into a self-aware holder of valuable assets, cultural attitudes, and memories. The issue of mixed ethno-cultural heritage is a prominent feature of the North American population, impacting millions of individuals. Narratives on blended heritage shed light on how mixed-race authors leverage their diverse ethnic experiences, knowledge archives, and sensibilities to explore the complexities of coping with cognitive anxiety, stigmas, and perceptions associated with blended ethnic heritage. They delve into the dynamics of family and social relationships, as well as the re-negotiation of ethnic identity.

The Southwest region, characterized by its Eurocentric and Colonial identity constructs, simultaneously holds immense value in the Frontier experiences of physical mobility, accompanied by mental and spiritual journeys and transformations. Judit Ágnes Kádár contends that the process of ethnic positioning and choice leads to the re-negotiation of identities and the emergence of more complex and engaging concepts of self.

Through their writing and visual art, Southwestern writers and artists offer a platform to celebrate and embrace the rich tapestry of mixed heritage, challenging stereotypes and promoting inclusivity. They provide a nuanced understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by individuals with mixed ethnic backgrounds, fostering empathy and understanding across diverse communities.

Weight: 517g
Dimension: 227 x 161 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793607904