Beverly Tatum’s Argument Beverly Tatum’s argument about the multiple identities and how many people define their self is one of the most notorious articles I've ever read. She's arguing how the areas where a person is a member of the dominant or advantaged social group, the category is usually not mentioned. That element of their identity is so taken for granted by them that it goes without comment. For example she talks about when she asked her students of color to complete the sentence “I am ….” how many of them mention their race, “I am Black, Puerto Rican, and Korean American”. But, when she asked white students to complete the sentence they rarely bring up their race. Some may ask why is it that the white students didn't bring up their race? That’s because through out the world and especially in America whites are the dominant group so they don't …show more content…
She uses her examples perfectly, and backed it up very well, they fall right into what she's trying to inform us on. People often forget about and not talk about how we are dominant in some categories but always remember how we are subordinates as you can see. The 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. “Miller points out that dominant groups generally do not like to be reminded of the existence of inequality. Because rationalizations have been created to justify the social arrangements, it is easy to believe everything is as it should be”(Tatum 3). Subordinates groups often find their selves trying to live above and go beyond the bar that the dominant group has set for us, and break the stereotypical thoughts that they have of
Based on theme two, they reconstructed the myths about whites and blacks. They began to explain the concept of “If they gain, we lose”. There was a concern of the participants having and not having and about sharing privilege but not wanting to give it up (McIntyre, 57). McIntyre explains that there are always exceptions to the rule and it reconstructs the myth of “equal opportunity for all”.
Society has a way of making assumptions based on one’s physical characteristics. Often at times we categorize individuals to a particular social group. In regard to society’ perception of an individual this however, contributes to the development of social construction of racism. Most people want to be identified as individuals rather than a member of specific social group. As a result, our social identity contains different categories or components that were influenced or imposed. For example, I identify as a, Jamaican, Puerto Rican and a person of color. I identify racially as a person of color and ethically as Jamaican and Puerto Rican. According to Miller and Garren it’s a natural human response for people to make assumptions solely
Throughout the essay, Race, Culture, Identity: Misunderstood Connections, I found Kwame Anthony Appiah’s claims about social scripts to support my idea that we present ourselves differently depending on the circumstance. There are times when we try to play into the majority, as well as times where we try and fall into the minority; we choose which group we want to highlight depending on which will get us where we want to go.
James McBride can tell you firsthand about man verse racial identity. Journalizing his experience in his New York Times Bestseller novel the Color of Water simply outlined his struggles of finding who he was. His upbringing included a black father and a Jewish white mother. His background made it hard for him to understand why his home was different than others on the street. Although McBride experience shows an older outtake of racial identity, some may say this still is a problem today. Offspring feels the need to pick a race in society to succeed in the generation and it may be the step to understands them more. Notice in the subtitle of the book "A black Men tribute to his white mother" he label himself as just black as if there was a barrier between his mother and himself because the so different. Today we need to not let racial identity become a big part of our lives.
They are all examples of groups who are seen as more dominant or of a more advantaged social group not mentioning so. They don't seem to think that they belong to a more dominant or advantaged group than the others so why mention it.
“The Danger of a Dominant Identity,” discusses what one columnist believes to be one of the largest problems facing America today. David Brooks, a columnist for the New York Times, argues that reducing people to nothing more than a label with a singular identity is one of the largest problems America faces. Through the appropriate use of rhetorical appeals, David Brooks writes an effective article by informing and firmly convincing the reader of the danger in viewing others as one-sided.
Identity is one of the main questions throughout all of our readings, because it is hard for people to accept who they are in society. Accepting their identity as a minority with little if any freedoms
In the article ‘Calgary man shows medical record as proof of election night assault’, by Aaron Chatha, Chris Ball recounts his attack that occurred on November 8th 2016, and has now provided the public with medical records indicating the treatment he received as a result. Since Mr. Ball has come forward with the details of the attack, there has been public outcry in regards to the assailants justifying their actions as they attacked Mr. Ball. Following the attack, the Santa Monica Police Department issued a statement. Within the statement police allude that Chris Ball was drinking at a bar where everyone was watching the election. As the polls began to come in people started shouting homophobic slurs, where Mr. Ball got into it with his attackers.
One of the main points Tatum made is how the dominant group of a society may not even be aware of their advantage or privilege. As humans, we tend to forget the dominant traits or attributes of ourselves because its similar to society's norm, and we focus on the weaker or less represented traits. Tatum described an example where if she didn't understand why a white woman may not see her white privilege, it would be useful for her to recognize all of the privileges she has taken for granted when she was oblivious to them before (Tatum, 11). Another point she brought up was how the dominant group choose what is the norm and what isn't. Things similar to the dominant group is normal, and people who are different from the dominant group but have
I totally agree with the assertion of A. Blemenfeld that those identification aspects that capture my attention are the targets of others people’s attention that is reflected back to me (Blumenfeld, 2010). Even though, I was always open-minded and had a friendly relationship with almost anybody, I felt that my racial identity was a part of a problem. As I was the only student of color, I felt alienated sometimes.
There are several important things that are discussed in the second chapter of "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” by Beverly Daniel Tatum. The topic of identity is brought up and how members of a dominant group take it for advantage. The members of an advantaged group, never have to mention their identity since it is considered to be the standard. However, when it comes to subordinate groups, we always have to mention our identities as it is always pointed out. Beverly Tatum also discusses how the dominant group has the power to control things to their liking so that they are at a better advantage. Things such as houses or jobs are sooner going to a dominant group than a subordinate group.
The issue of dominance and subordinance is addressed in the short stories “A Jury of her Peers” by Susan Glaspell and “Mama Come Home” by James Tiptree, Jr. In the stories the subordinates are harmed by the dominants, but the subordinates overcome the suppression to triumph in the end. The groups with the power control the laws and the positions of the weaker group.
Throughout my life, certain identities have remained consist. And these identities have come to shape my perspectives and my needs and wants within American culture. Typically, my social
Another inevitable reaction that came to me when I was reading this text, was the thought of – Who am I? And most importantly – Who can I be that will embrace my identity, while encouraging the diversity of others? The few identities I do own now is that I am a young African American woman, who comes from a low income neighborhood, and who is not necessarily religious but spiritual. I do not think these specific traits changed from when I was younger, however I do think the external groups I associate with have matured through my morals and values. For example, I consider myself a Democratic and a Feminist – due to the experiences I have had and the knowledge I have gained. I
A society with unequal power will cultivate unequal cultures, values, and lifestyles. So social inequalities must be minimalized instead of being ignored. She speaks of "rough equalities" that render more useful than equality in absolute terms.