Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

You are here

Taboo

Socially Constructed IDs

cdesogugua@brynmawr.edu's picture
Marginalized identities are socially constructed… 
I really loved how this reading touched on how marginalized identities can be constructed in America. It pointed out how language can be used to further other-ize identities that do not fit the “norm” and consequently, solidify the boundaries of whiteness in America. It explained how everyday language could be used to construct these identities, thus showing the true power of language.
 

Black Class

sasha's picture

I think that Carters’ idea of  “Black cultural capital” is extremely powerful, especially when speaking of class “dominance” and participation. While reading this piece, all I could think of what the Women in Walled Communities 360 as well as the Black American Perspective class (which I ironically called my Black class), and even this class/Ed classes. Because of the nature of the 360’s theme, it focused a lot on the issues of mass incarceration. For most of the class, students of color would tend to dominate/lead the conversations while white students listened more. I could say the same for the Black class, although I would add that the majority of the class was composed of students of color.