Summary Of Kwame Appiah's Racial Identities

Authenticity and the Construction of Identity In his essay “Racial Identities” Kwame Appiah attempts to explain what authenticity is. Appiah first works to disprove other theories. He then lays out argument and then he thoroughly explains way it is a false claim. By doing this Appiah is able to refute other ideas and strengthen his own argument as well. He also argues against the idea that cultures, races and societies can have defined authenticities. Appiah claims that while race can play a role in shaping individual authenticity, it isn’t the essence of authenticity. He claims that authenticity is the way an individual lives his or her life and interacts with others; it isn’t a collection of racial ideals, but it is formed through interactions with other cultures and races and helps shape their identity (54-57). Appiah’s claim is correct. Authenticity is a way of life and an expression of personality created through interactions with other individuals that sets someone apart from others, it is the basis of personal and racial identity.

Dictionary.com defines authenticity as “the quality of being authentic; genuineness.” Authentic can be defined as “true to one's own personality, spirit, or character” (Merriam-Webster). According to the dictionary authenticity can be roughly defined as, someone living and showing their true personality and character. Andrew Pierce claims in his essay “Authentic Identities” that authenticity is a person morals and identity that are personally and truthfully shared with others (446). Appiah’s definition of authenticity is very similar to the dictionary’s definition. In his essay Kwame uses this quote by Charles Taylor to explain what he thinks authenticity is, “There is a certain way of being that is [someone’s] way. [They are] called upon to live [their] life in this way....If [they] are not [true to [themselves]], [they] miss the point of [their]