Ethnic Identity and the Pursuit of Happiness Ethnic identity is dynamic and adjusts to the institutional and structural forces of dominant society. Ethnic identity may be based on a common language, ritual, or shared world views; a historical consciousness of a sequence of events and struggles that reflect continuity from the past to the future; a social awareness, seeking communal or group acceptance; a political voice. In addition, one's ethnic identity is how one regards …showed first 75 words of 988 total…

…showed last 75 words of 988 total…Rodolfo Gonzalez wrote that assimilation with in the culture of another results in " a full stomach, but a lose of one's soul." But like Henry's "white" pachucos (68) despite his personal heritage, identity is a matter of choice. And for Henry, his choice to identify himself as Mexican would be the first step in his pursuit towards defining himself as Mexican-American, and gradually towards acceptance in an environment that acknowledges his true worth as fellow American.