Who We Are

What? There will come times where our perceived identities create a profound and lasting impact on how we interpret our place in the world and proceed through life. In a sample of her book, Teaching to Transgress, author Bell Hooks refers to the work of Paulo Freire and how he inspired her to question the “politics of domination, the impact of racism, sexism, class exploitation, and the kind of domestic colonization that takes place in the United Sates” (Hooks 46). As a black woman, she takes Freire’s teachings into account while also offering her own insight to inspire action regarding issues of racism and sexism. Through her dialogue, she reminds us that applying what we practice is crucial in regards to overpowering the struggle against the politics currently in favor of the dominant groups and their colonizing mindset. So what is the relationship between social identity and power?

In her academic article, ““The Complexity of Identity: “Who Am I?””, Beverly Daniel Tatum acknowledges the concept of identity — how it shapes and is shaped by the individual and their surrounding world. There is a subtle relationship between social identity and power within our society that is often difficult to face. To understand this concept, answer the following questions; What is your race or ethnicity? Gender? Religious or spiritual beliefs? Sexual orientation? What class do you belong to? How old are you? Are you able bodied? And lastly, do your answers fit into any of the advantaged groups of these seven categories? In each of the seven categories previously listed, there is a form of oppression tied with it. Tatum explains that when describing who we are, we leave out the categories in which we are members of the “dominant” group. Rather, our attention is focused on the parts of our identity that “stand out”, which essentially sets us apart from the systematically advantaged group and instead labels us as the “other”. It’s almost like we all just decided what “normal” should be, and if you don’t fit that mold then it needs to be commented on. “When we think about our multiple identities, most of us will find that we are both dominant and targeted at the same time. But it is the targeted identities that hold our attention and the dominant identities that often go unexamined” (Tatum 11).

We know that there is no normal in terms of diversity, but we’ve internalized these unspoken rules to the point where the only things worth mentioning about our identities are the aspects that make us targets. The problem with this is that all of the power is given to the dominant groups, even though they don’t have all the means necessary to understand from each perspective. “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” (Tatum 11). The power to influence the structure of society given to those who don’t have the empathy to understand their actions makes for a dangerous combination. To combat these prejudices, understanding these distortions as a result of our different experiences is an important tool. Through proper representation and an effort to listen, a voice can be given to those whose right to speak have been taken.

So What? Tatum argues that while “subordinates” are well informed of the perspective of the dominants, the same can’t be said in reverse due to limited stereotypical depictions of the “other”. And while accurate representation might not mean anything to those safely secured within the dominant culture, such liberating work means the world to the subordinate groups with which they empower. In order to properly share our perspectives on reality with one another, there needs to be a clear and open access to the work that promotes one’s liberation. “Our ongoing examination of who we are in our full humanity, embracing all of our identities, creates the possibility of building alliances that may ultimately free us all” (Tatum 14).

As a professor, José Calderón also shares a similar mindset to Hooks in that there is a liberation that is granted with education. In his writing, Perspective — Taking as a Tool for Building Democratic Societies, Calderón stresses importance of perspective-taking as a tool used to “better comprehend and appreciate each other’s differences in order to find our commonalities” (Calderón 3). Through first-hand experience and life-long observation, he understands and stresses the power that comes with effective communication of one’s perspective. Like Tatum and Hooks, he refers to “certain individuals or groups that have the power to define dominant culture, and therefore the power to oppress or liberate others. Power exists in language, too, where words create a foundation for understanding” (Calderón 1). But we don’t simply want to shift this power from one group to the other, because that would mean we never learned from history. Rather, to prompt the structure of society to move forward, the first action we can take is to simply listen. “Ultimately, perspective-taking cannot occur without addressing questions of power. But academia can follow emerging trends and break down structures that separate it from the larger community” (Calderón 3).

Now What? To foster the empathy and understanding needed to promote lasting change, perspective-taking should be implemented in classroom settings to facilitate practice and application. According to the Next Generation Scholars website, my current community partner “believes equal access to higher education is the key to making positive change within our community. Their mission is to level the playing field by providing dedicated underserved students with all the advantages available to those of privilege”. This description alone offers enough insight to understand that this program offers students a great way to value and cherish their identities while forging a path towards a higher education. The students in this program are a diverse group, and it makes me happy to know that they’ll one day be the adults with the perspectives and insights necessary to inspire future generations. I don’t know how to connect with them (mostly because I’m shy), but what I hope to do is connect with them. The more I participate with the program, the more opportunities I’ll get to learn from their experiences. And hopefully, if I can help them with their studies, they can teach me to improve as a person.