Date of Award

6-2016

Document Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Karen Brison

Language

English

Keywords

children, side, chinese, language, ethnic, indigenous

Abstract

In Fiji it is imperative to belong to group, particularly a racial/ethnic group because of a history of ethnic pluralism under British colonialism. Making connections and forming relationships is all determined by one’s racial/ethnic group. Due to this, belonging to two groups, especially if those two distinct races do not get along, such as indigenous Fijians and Indo‐Fijians, it becomes increasingly difficult to create a system of social networks. Fijians also tend to define ethnicity in terms of behavior rather than simply looking at one’s biology. If one cannot speak the native language of that particular race, he or she tends to be excluded or looked down up by that particular group, even if they have the blood of that race running through their veins. In contrast, Americans do not find it necessary to belong to a single ethnic group. Especially for middle class Americans, being mixed race has become something that is desired and sought after. It creates a sense of being unique and different in a positive way. This group of mixed race individuals shares something that others are not able to achieve, simply by having parents that belong to different races. Americans think ethnic cultures can be picked and chosen at will. Due to this they embrace different races for the cultural aspects they bring to their lives.

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