The Power of Ascribed Identities and Avowed Identities
Ascribed Identity
Who was responsible?
Resistance
African-American/Black/Negro/Negroid
Society- Government-Peer
Ascribe other identities
Emphasize avowed identities
Student
Society- Government-University of Wisc River Falls-Peer
Ascribe other identities over time
Woman- Female
Society- Government-Peer
Ascribe other identities over gender binary
Emphasize avowed identities
Queer
Society-Peer
also Avowed identity
Ascribe other identities
Emphasize avowed identities
American Citizen- Wisconsin Citizen
Society- Government-Peer
Ascribe other identities through travel
Emphasize avowed identities
Atheist
Society-Peer
Ascribe other identities
Emphasized Avowed identities- communicating beliefs not related to Atheism
In the process of becoming who I am today, I have found that I use also consider ascribed identities in the process of reflecting and becoming who I am today. Though I don’t agree with the societal expectations that come with the identities, I have both subconsciously and consciously considered these identities. In the beginning my anger led me to believe that I was invincible from being labeled from anyone. I later learned that I not only could avoid being labeled by my peers and even avoid being labeled by myself.
There I was again folks, wallowing in my own identity crisis. The ascribed identities of being an African-American, a Student, Woman- Female, Queer, An American Citizen of Wisconsin, and ascribed to what the majority would consider “Atheist”. The folks giving me these roles exist fully in the context of our society. From then on they can be labeled as institutions, Government and University or grouped individuals, Peers.
The resistance to these given labels gives me a chance to strategize how I communicate with others and how I can enjoy my interactions by how I emphasize my own avowed identities. Ascribed Identities from governments and peers, correct or not, are enacted for the purpose of categorization and generalization. These ascribed identities are appearance based and can be both harmful and beneficial. Understanding the power of these labels, depending upon the individual, can allow for some kind of fun. Because these identities are appearance based I simply resist some of these identities by not appearing in public, in society, on normal terms.
I create my avowed identity based on my passions, my childhood, my heritages, the things I love in life and the entities I want to be. I express these avowed identities as best I can in the way I dress, the way I walk, and most importantly, the way I communicate with others. I have recently attributed my privilege to do this because, on societal terms, I am considered to be good looking. Mind the reader, it has greatly disgusted me to type those last 16 words. Appearance is what’s on the surface. A fact and a way of life many people seem to be steering away from. But who are they to blame? When one of the biggest powers in our society (e.g. Government) focuses on such a shallow perspective of who people are based on their appearance, why shouldn’t we expect our people to do the same.
This same importance is evident in the most oppressed communities that exist in this society. When we see children killing each other over FUBU jackets or Nike Air Jordans that’s when we should know that we have to look deeper. When people can’t get a job because the manager might risk “hiring an illegal” that’s when we know that we have to look deeper. When two loving people can’t adopt a child because they ways are seen different from the way the majority does it, that’s when we know that we have to look deeper. Even on a global level! When we see the mass genocide of other cultures and their way of life because some hire up would like to eat his ice cream with a golden spoon, that’s when we know!
People shan't be turned away because of different identities they cannot control. I type this with utmost passion and the utmost anger at our society. The government may have a lot of power, but what can we do that’s in our power to spread this message so that we can stop killing ourselves over such bullshit.
I think that you wrote this to a tee it is because people judge others and give others ascribed identities that we have problems like the ones you mentioned. If people didn't care so much about what others thought of them then I think we could all rest easier at night.
ReplyDeleteI think the media has a huge impact on how we see ourselves and others. Most pop culture emphasizes appearances, especially beauty and fashion. The media often portrays powerful people as beautiful people, so we associate beauty with power and learn to focus on appearances. Of course, this causes us to judge others, including people of other races, by appearance. We need to stop and teach ourselves to get to know others before we judge them. I also think it is really important to teach children about cultural diversity. How can communicate with one another and trust one another if we do not try to understand one another? I think children should be taught about other ethnic groups and taught how to interact with people who are different from them at an early age. This would then reduce racism and prejudice in adults in the future.
ReplyDeleteI can't control what people think of me, and often I cannot control how they treat me. I can control how I think, react to, and behave towards other people. I can't control all situations; its enough to control myself sometimes. There is a need in this world for people to control other people and it is mainly, in my opinion, driven by fear. Its this need for control driven by fear that causes people to use scapegoats, oppress, exploit, etc. and it is much easier to control something that is identified. But, not all ascribed identities are used for the bad, some are good and celebrate more universal and shared characteristics.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. I think it is important for those to use labels for as much benefit as possible. But there are reasons they are harmful and how people should really learn why. I think it is fair to play this enforced game when the consequences for certain actions are read.
ReplyDelete