Name

: Della Desiva Noor

Matric Number : 215264 Q. Number : 2 (two)

Interaction as a way to understand our Ethnic Identity

Ethnic word is not something new for us, but sometimes there are mistakes in meaning and understanding the word. When hearing the word "ethnic" first impression portrayed is about the collection of unique people, strange, who still adhere to traditional values, beliefs, and they are a group of people who lived in place relatively far from the city. Biased picture like this that makes us wrong in interpreting the "ethnic group", because we assume that those who look primitive, and unique is the of an ethnic, without we realize that basically every human being is part of an ethnic group. As for other form of misunderstanding in the community is they assume the ethnic group is part of the cultural group. From some misunderstanding that we can learn and know more deeply who we are, our ethnic group and our ethnic identity. In this paper I try to describe about my understanding of the concept of "ethnic identity as interactional identity", how the interaction becomes a way to understand our ethnic identity and others. An ethnic group is a group of people who BELIEVE that they share the same ancestry, history, cultural traits such as language and religion which are distinct from other groups. (Rie Nakamuras slide)1 Ethnic identity is a dynamic, multidimensional construct that refers to ones identity or sense of self as a member of an ethnic group (Phinney 2003, p. 63)2 About feelings and the ability of individuals to identify a sense of belonging to an ethnic group and when a person has by his own view about the way of thinking, perception, feelings and habits as a member of a particular ethnic group. This is closely related to self-conscious

1Dr. Rie Nakamuras slide- chapter 2 -ethnic troubles and theories 2 Ethnic Identity, retrieved, October 19th 2011 from: http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/trimble/research_themes/ethnicity_identity.htm

identity, one's consciousness of himself, awareness of ethnic identity that he has (internal labeling). The strength and originality of identity depends on the recognition of internal labeling or in-group and external labeling. When are we going to feel or realize our ethnic identity?
You Interaction Other

We will know who we are and ethnic identity of what we have when we interact with others. Interaction is basically an act that committed two or more people who can give the effect and interplay with each other.3 By interacting means we do the communication with others. In the case of "ethnic identity as interactional identity " I have an understanding that; how the interaction can be one way for a person or group to recognize the differences and obvious boundaries of their ethnic identity and others, and this can also be said how a person communicates himself and identity to others. Interaction is a reflection. The point here is that when we interact then there will be communication between one and another, for example, a conversation between two or more objects that communicate with each other. In these discussions there will be reflection or feedback from the conversation. Reflection or feedback can produce a campaign about the authenticity of each other. Interaction as a means to express ethnic identity and then gain acceptance and recognition of environmental, interactional identity that gives the ethnic consciousness of himself and things that are closely related to the cultural elements of their own ethnic group.4 As has been described previously in the interaction may affect each other and give effect to one another, can be explained that we not only can understand who we are but the outcome of the interaction was a little more we can understand other people's ethnic identity. We will not feel or recognize our ethnic identity when we are alone, but when we are dealing with others and communicate with them then we will realize that we have ethnic group. Depart from my experience as an Indonesian, as we all know that Indonesia has a stout ethnic
3 4

Interaction, , retrieved, October 19th 2011 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interaction Ethnic Identity, retrieved, October 19th 2011 from: http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/trimble/research_themes/ethnicity_identity.htm

group. I was a girl of ethnic Bugis (South Sulawesi). I will not be aware of what ethnic group I have when I am alone. But when I hang out with my friends then I would realize my ethnic identity because not all of my friends are from ethnic Buggies , they have a part of the ethnic Javanese, ethnic Sundanese, ethnic Banjar, ethnic Batak, ethnic Toraja etc. By interacting we will find a variety of forms of difference between us and those involved in the interaction and awareness of the ethnic group that we have emerged. When doing interaction we will also understand the cultural differences that exist between us and other people who come from a different ethnic group with us. We communicate with verbal and we use of language, and as we know that language is one of the cultural items. Cultural differences between us and others can help to understand our ethnic identities or others. For example: when I was asked a Malaysian girl, who when I see the physical appearance, and fashion is almost similar to mine. At first I thought she was an Indonesian, but when I asked in Indonesian language, she had little did not understand what I'm saying. This happens because we have different languages. And automatically I see clear boundaries that she is not coming from my ethnic group. Although physical appearance and our costumes /fashion were almost similar to mine. Language differences between us is a form of indirect ethnic claims are present when we communicate / interact. Based on what has been explained previously, it can be concluded that basically everyone is part of an ethnic group. Ethnic identity can wake up when in the context of each other face to face with another.5 Then, the boundaries are finally recognized between ethnic groups is the result of the definition of internally (internal labeling) and the definition of external (external labeling) by another person or group. our awareness of ethnic identity that we have will come when we are dealing with other people and when we establish interaction with one another. "Interactional identity as ethnic identity" is how the interaction can be one way for a person or group to recognize the differences and obvious boundaries of their ethnic identity and others, and this can also be said how a person communicates himself and his identity to others.

Identitas Etnik dan Multikulturalisme, retrieved, October 19th 2011 from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/7872452/IdentitasEtnik-Dan-Multikulturalisme

References : Dr. Rie Nakamuras slide- chapter 2 -ethnic troubles and theories Ethnic Identity, retrieved, October 19th 2011 from: http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/trimble/research_themes/ethnicity_identity.htm Interaction, retrieved, October 19th 2011 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interaction Identitas Etnik dan Multikulturalisme, retrieved, October 19th 2011 from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/7872452/Identitas-Etnik-Dan-Multikulturalisme