Issues of Heritage, Economic Class, and Race in How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, Or Halfie by Junot Diaz

Hierarchical systems exist in many places on this planet. One of the most prevalent hierarchical systems is the world happens to be on the island, Hispaniola. The hierarchy on the island places Haitians on the bottom due to their self-proclaimed African heritage, while Dominicans are placed higher up due to their opposition of taking a stand against the vast injustice happening on the other side of the Massacre River. Regardless of the common knowledge that ninety percent of Dominicans have African ancestry, the corrupt system still stands. In the story “How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie” by Junot Diaz, Diaz writes about the complexities of race and how they affect Yunior, the main character’s, ability to use patriarchal views to cover his massive insecurities about his heritage, economic class, and race. These three factors alongside society prevent Yunior from allowing himself to get close to the young women in the story.

Heritage is a very big part of American society. Yunior talks about being Dominican and attempts to erase that part of himself specifically in this line “hide the pictures of yourself with an Afro take down any embarrassing photos of your family”. Yunior is masking his true identity and attempting to become palatable to society. He is abandoning his Dominican heritage and pretending to be someone he is not for the sake of being accepted. Yunior also analyses what he should expect in terms of the girl depending on her race or social class. For instance, he states, “a local girl may have hips and a thick ass but she won’t be quick about letting you touch”. By making these generalizations & he feeds directly into the culture that society is harming him.

Socioeconomic status also has a major part in Yunior’s life. He mentions that his family receives “government cheese”, which is a processed cheese provided to families who receive welfare. He attempts to hide that his family is poverty stricken, alongside giving a step by step guide on where to hide the cheese depending on where the girl lives. “Clear the government cheese from the refrigerator. If the girl’s from the Terrace, stack the boxes in the crisper. If she’s from the Park or Society Hill, then hide the cheese in the cabinet above the oven, where she’ll never see it”. This relates strongly to how African-American individuals tend to buy things like gold chains, Air Jordans, and various other luxuries to hide the fact that generational wealth does not exist in their community.

In conclusion, “How to Date a Browngirl” addresses the how one can use society to cover their insecurities from heritage to economic class. Yunior faces a never ending turmoil with his identity & uses a patriarchal view to take out his frustration on society.