CR #2: The Complexities of Identities
In an ideal society, diversity is often celebrated: especially in America where we take pride of being one of the few ‘melting pot’ countries. Despite the efforts of many Americans who want to create an equitable safe space of all, not everyone feels that diversity is something that should be positively recognized. Especially due to recent events and living under the new Presidential administration, America and it’s people are facing an identity crisis: the power struggle between the dominant and the subordinate.
In the article The Complexity of Identity: “Who Am?” by Beverly Daniel Tatum, she discusses the what are dominant and subordinate group and the power relationship between them. According to Tatum “Dominant groups, by definition, set the parameters within which the subordinates operate. The dominant group holds the power and authority in society relative to the subordinates and determines how that power and authority may be acceptably used” (3). This definition clearly explains the difference between dominant and subordinate. But even though the dominant groups do hold power, the ones that can ultimately control the power are the subordinates. Within a unbalanced power between the dominant and the subordinates, their relationship often harms the subordinate group, Tatum mentions “The relationship of the dominants to the subordinates is often one in which the targeted group is labeled as defective or substandard in significant ways” (3). This quote resonated with me because I never thought of the relationship that way, any minority struggle is caused by the dominants’ power to label the subordinate group. For example, Asian beauty standards are based on Caucasian looks: light skin and round eyes. Many Asians who tend to be darker try to use whitening creams to lighten their skin or opt to have plastic surgery done to turn their mono lids into double lids. When the dominant lowers the self-worth or creates the idea that the subordinate group cannot rise to top, Tatum claims, “The dominant group assigns roles to the subordinate that reflect the latter’s devalued status, reserving the most highly valued roles in the society for themselves. Subordinates are usually said to be innately incapable of performing the preferred roles. To the extent that those in the target group internalize the images that the dominant group reflects back to them, they may find it difficult to believe in their own ability”(3). More so than often, we celebrate many minorities who are in powerful positions because it is considered rare but as minority groups often forget that it is possible for many people of their group do have the ability to rise to the top.
Since the power relationship between the dominant and the subordinate group is unbalanced, in order to function in society without being harmed, the subordinate group must learn how to survive under the dominant’s rulings. Tatum states that in a “ It becomes very important for subordinates to become highly attuned to the dominants as a way of protecting themselves. “ (4). Meaning, in a situation of unequal power, subordinate groups have to focus on survival. In order to survive, a social psychologist Susan Fiske claims that “It is a simple principle: People pay attention to those who can control their outcomes. In an effort to predict and possibly influence what is going to happen to them, people gather information about those with power (4). This quote also struck me because it made sense of why subordinate groups understand the dominant group so much despite the fact that the dominant’s identity is put on a pedestal and is considered a “model” that everyone should follow. To survive, you must understand your “opponent”. When the subordinate group questions authority, Jean Baker Miller the author of Toward a New Psychology of Women writes” And they will make the inherent conflict an open conflict. They will then have to bear the burden and take the risks that go with being defined as ‘troublemakers’”(5). The reasons why the dominant groups tend to get ahold of all the power is because they can control the knowledge and self esteem of the subordinate groups, creating an environment where it is unwise or frowned upon to question authority making it easy to label the subordinates as ‘troublemakers’. Tatum also points out that one person is classified as only part of the dominant or subordinate group: “For those readers who are targeted by racism and are angered by the obliviousness of Whites, it may be useful to attend to your experience of dominance where you may find it-as a heterosexual, as an able-bodied person, as a Christian, as a man-and consider what systems of privilege you may be overlooking. The task of resisting our own oppression does not relieve us of the responsibility of acknowledging our complicity in the oppression of others” (6). Within ourselves, we have a power struggle with our multiple identities and how we can use it. How our dominant identities are privileged and the power it comes with. Dominant powers can make changes and movement towards a more equitable society.
In my opinion to create a level playing field between the dominant and subordinate groups, there must be open and respectful conversation about each others differences. Also to understand one another, we can start by learning where they come from and “step into their shoes”. This creates a better understanding of how the two different groups see the world and how to improve it for one another. Abraham Verghese, the author of Close Encounter of the Human Kind writes “The years have shown that there is no armor. There never was. The willingness to be wounded may be all we have to offer”. To be vulnerable with someone and trying to empathize with someone makes a huge difference. It takes a lot of courage for someone to admit their privilege or lack of knowledge and try to be in that same place with you. From experience, when someone who may not understand tries to listens to me and tries to help if I ask goes a long way.
