1.) In a critical response of at least 125 words, examine the position put forward by Muñoz about the connection between names—especially those that signify a specific racial/cultural tradition—and identity. Muñoz contends that certain groups, in his case Latinos, suffer from the “erasure” of their names through the dual processes of Anglicization and Americanization.
Do you agree with his contention? Does a name such as Kaitlyn Zepeda, to use his example, undermine some notion of racial/cultural stability? Does it, on the contrary, signify a movement away from singular ethnic identity and toward collective American identity? Use a brief quote or two from Muñoz’s essay to help you develop your response.
2)n a critical response of at least 125 words, explore the relationship between Du Bois’ notion “double consciousness” and Rodriguez’s or Lahiri’s (the author of “My Two Lives”) thoughts on race/culture.
Do Rodriguez or Lahiri raise points that are reminiscent of Du Bois’ claims? Is it possible to see Rodriguez or Lahiri as a product of “double consciousness,” and, if so, does either author seem to offer a way out of or around “double consciousness.”
In general, in your critical response use aspects of Du Bois’ ideas/Rodriguez’s or Lahiri’s essay to further the investigation into how identity, in this case primarily racial/ethnic identity, is developed, maintained, and interpreted.