Joey D’Andre Safari Ross Engl 101 Sec 105 11 Oct 2011 How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie
An instruction manual on how to get a girl based on their ethnicity is what Junot Diaz wrote in the story “How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie. ”
One central theme in the story is the idea of stereotypes. A stereotype is a preconceived notion about someone based on an outside characteristic they posses.
These generalizations come from some truth but you can’t put everyone into a specific category based on their appearance.
Diaz addresses stereotypes and how they influence the treatment of women based on race through the main character in this controversial story. The story emphasizes that everyone engages in some form of stereotyping as it is a societal norm and widely believed to be true. The protagonist, a teenage boy residing in a disadvantaged urban area, pens an “instruction manual” to guide his peers in approaching girls.
We understand his status as a teenager through various signs. His immature behavior is evident in how he generalizes girls. The boy serves as a representative figure for a contentious topic that applies to many. By using a boy, the author connects with a broader audience as it is easier to relate to and less grave. Opting for an adolescent character makes the extent of his stereotypes more tolerable. If an adult were chosen instead of a teenager, the audience would likely be more offended since it goes against societal expectations for grown-ups to behave in such a manner.
The main character’s theories are convincing because of his self-assuredness and arrogance. The boy’s tone indicates that by following his advice, one can achieve success in attracting women. He consistently exudes confidence while simultaneously putting others down. For example, he casually suggests, “If she’s a white girl you know you’ll at least get a hand job.” This insinuates that white girls are promiscuous as they are willing to engage in sexual activity on the first date. However, the boy fails to offer any justification for this assertion.
The main character’s voice in the story indicates that he belongs to a lower social class due to his use of slang with his friends. He mentions waiting for someone and uses derogatory language, which implies his lack of intelligence and refinement. This implies that being white automatically guarantees him sexual favors. Furthermore, the story progresses with the main character suggesting he call the girl’s house and ask for her in a lower-class manner.
The narrator in this story is cautious about revealing his true identity. He assumes that someone calling him might be an authoritative figure like a principal or a police chief, which shows how people in lower income neighborhoods either disrespect or fear authority figures. This contributes to the overall tone of the story, giving it a unique atmosphere. Diaz portrays the insecurity experienced by a poor African American individual living in the inner city. The protagonist feels ashamed of his impoverished lifestyle. In the second paragraph, he mentions having to remove government-provided cheese from his refrigerator, indicating that his family relies on food stamps and welfare. He is embarrassed for a girl to see this aspect of his life. Moreover, he carefully selects certain restaurants to take different girls to so that they do not judge him based on his social status. He emphasizes the need to remove any embarrassing photos of himself and his family and tidy up his bathroom before inviting a girl over. By describing these actions at the beginning of the story, the narrator stresses their importance in creating a favorable impression. “How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie” also provides insight into the main character’s perspective on girls.
The text highlights how the protagonist is more focused on impressing the girl through false pretenses rather than being true to himself. This can be seen in his actions of hiding his cheap possessions and images, indicating a desire for physical gratification instead of genuine acceptance or a meaningful connection. If he truly wanted the girl to like him and pursue a deeper relationship, he would embrace his true identity and lifestyle. Furthermore, his desire to resemble white individuals suggests a lack of self-assurance and belief that being white would make him more attractive to the girl.
Throughout the narrative, Diaz relies on stereotypes and makes general assumptions based on race and social class. He assumes that each girl’s behavior or responses can be predicted based on these factors. For example, he confidently claims that a local girl may possess certain physical traits but would be hesitant when it comes to physical contact. Similarly, he suggests that someone who is mixed race will inevitably bring up their parents meeting in a movement.
By categorizing individuals based on these traits, Diaz demonstrates a tendency to generalize everyone within these groups. However, it is important to acknowledge that no one appreciates being generalized as every individual believes they have unique qualities that differentiate them from others.
The story’s ultimate message is conveyed in its final two paragraphs.
The entire story emphasizes the idea that following certain steps can lead to gaining a girl’s interest. However, the second to last paragraph, which begins with “But usually it won’t work this way,” holds significant importance. This quote serves to invalidate the previously presented “how to” instructions and instead focuses on a broader theme. The story ultimately highlights how society tends to judge individuals based on generalizations associated with their race and social status.
