I truly enjoyed the reading assigned for this class and the investigation as to how identity affects communication and how communication can reinforce identity. It was fascinating to examine how many different identities can coexist and form one identity in an individual, or how an individual can grasp to one specific identity and "interpellate" his self to manage that identity. Although I found the readings to be fascinating and quite interesting, especially the ethnography, and useful for evaluating intercultural communication, I did disagree with a number of points made in the text book.
Largely, I am concerned with the minority/majority identity development "stages." This is not to say I do not see the value in attempting to scientifically denote different phases a person may go through when her identity/identities are challenged. I simply want to narrow my criticism to specific elements in each model. Regarding the minority identity development stage number four, it seems a little too hopeful and idealistic that the resistance/separatism feelings would not linger into the achieved identity. If these feelings of separatism lingered, I doubt the individual, for most of the time, would seek social justice and redirect their anger. The individual's education, economic status, and personal life experiences could drastically alter the phases she is supposed to go through. I feel this development model is insufficient in explaining the complex facets of human behavior, and like much of the other reading in the textbook, overgeneralizes to truly be worthy of use.
Another problem I have with the reading concerns the majority identity development model. Frankly, I do not wish to be considered a conscious or unconscious follower of racist ideology, which stage two supposes I am. I understand the message that is trying to be conveyed in this portion of the model, but I believe the term racist is uncalled for and unfairly and automatically associates a highly controversial term with the majority race. From this same section of reading, I am also led to believe that a belief in the equality of all is also racist. Additionally, further comments on affirmative action as reverse discrimination, assimilation, and "folk" versus "classical" works highly offend me. The authors automatically assume any "majority" opinion on these points is incorrect because they are either racially insensitive or are a result from a lack of misunderstanding of other cultures and races. Again, sweeping generalizations and assumptions are made by the authors that I find contestable.
I stress my interest and fascination with this concept of different identities and how one views oneself and how others view the same individual. It is all very interesting, but there are major disagreements I have with these minority/majority development models and the assumptions/generalizations that are made along with them. In my opinion, if they are going to be useful in explaining the growth of identity, they need a serious overhaul with respect to acknowledging the vastly different variables that factor into an individual's life.
-David Lindgren
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I completely agree with several of your points.
ReplyDeleteFor one, I also have a hard time believing in the structuring of the "stages". Going through the entire process and accepting who you are is a grand feat at that, not to mention difficult to actually do. I highly doubt that the individual is thinking about what he or she has to do in order to get to the next "stage" in the process. Looking back, I'm sure that the individual is able to think of certain times when he or she fit into one of the stages, but I highly doubt all of them. Also, I feel that people of the majority go through any stages because they really don't know who or what they are, they only know what they are not.
Concerning racism, I believe that those who are racist know that they truly are. People at my high school were proud of it even and announced it on several occasions. Sure, we all have our own prejudices, but that just comes from a lack of understanding mostly and not a hatred towards another group. I agree with your comments about affirmative action and the belief in equality- that is the same idea that I pulled from the reading, too.
I am sure that these ideas had/have a place in society and certain other fields of study, but I agree that many of these models need to be revised and allow for some "gray" area.
I also agree with your views toward the models. When I was reading the chapter I just find it hard to believe that you can apply everyone's experiences depending on their position as a "minority" or "majority" person into this model. Individual experiences differ and I don't think it's possible to generalize everyone into a model. The fact that book states that "majority" views on affirmative action are signs that people are insensitive ignores that people can have legitimate complaints about the ineffectiveness and wastefulness of the program without being racist.
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