Complexity of Identity: “Who am I” Beverly Daniel Tatum, article, “The Complexity of Identity: ‘Who am I” helps readers understand who they are. Tatum breaks her article into two sections. The first section is “Who am I? Multiple Identities”, in this section readers learn a number of aspects about identity. She states how identity varies throughout life and how we view ourselves and others. Her second section is “Domination and Subordination”, this section Tatum explains who are among dominate and subordinate groups and how they affect each other. In my opinion, Tatum successfully explains why figuring out who we are will not only help us, but will also help others who are different.
When figuring out who we are, we must first realize our identities are always changing. Tatum states that since our past, present, and future affects who we are, self-determination is …show more content…
She believes “the dominating group holds the power and authority in society relative to the subordinates and determines how the power and authority may be acceptably used” (Tatum 11). Like Tatum, according to Gollnick and Chinn, “People of color see the privilege of whiteness and in many cases has suffered the consequences of their lack of privilege and power in society” (38). I agree because the challenge I face as being black is finding a good job. I feel that being black I’m unable to get a good job, but it’s easier to get a bad job. Tatum’s belief that dominates view subordinate as defective and incapable helps me understand why it’s so hard for me to get a better job.
Lastly, Tatum talks about how the subordinate group knows a lot about the dominant group, but the dominate group knows little about the subordinate group. To fight the challenges of belonging to subordinate groups we should focus on the dominate group we belong to. Although this will not take away our pain we feel as a subordinate, but it will focus our attention on our
When figuring out who we are, we must first realize our identities are always changing. Tatum states that since our past, present, and future affects who we are, self-determination is …show more content…
She believes “the dominating group holds the power and authority in society relative to the subordinates and determines how the power and authority may be acceptably used” (Tatum 11). Like Tatum, according to Gollnick and Chinn, “People of color see the privilege of whiteness and in many cases has suffered the consequences of their lack of privilege and power in society” (38). I agree because the challenge I face as being black is finding a good job. I feel that being black I’m unable to get a good job, but it’s easier to get a bad job. Tatum’s belief that dominates view subordinate as defective and incapable helps me understand why it’s so hard for me to get a better job.
Lastly, Tatum talks about how the subordinate group knows a lot about the dominant group, but the dominate group knows little about the subordinate group. To fight the challenges of belonging to subordinate groups we should focus on the dominate group we belong to. Although this will not take away our pain we feel as a subordinate, but it will focus our attention on our