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  • Essay / Components of Our Identity by Tatum

    Tatum rationalizes that a person's identity is shaped by many elements of their life and is based on how one is perceived by others. Tatum explains that each component of our identity differentiates us because we are constantly identified by our race, ethnicity, gender, etc. All of our identities each include some form of oppression and we are both dominant and subordinate. Tatum then describes what subordinates face compared to dominants. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayOppression occurs in every classification and appears to correspond primarily to subordination. For the dominant group, they are oppressors, which equates them with privileges, deserved or not. Tatum explains that we would find ourselves dominated and targeted simultaneously in our multiple identities, or rather in our multiple allegiances. For example, Singapore Chinese can be classified as dominant because the mother tongue policy has consistently provided them with more work opportunities. However, Chinese people from other countries, such as China, may not enjoy the same privileges. In another case, a Singapore Malaysian may not share as many work opportunities as a Singapore Chinese, although they both enjoy the same citizenship privilege. Tatum states that those who belong to the dominant group usually neglect part of their identity and mistake it for money. granted. For example, we tend to take being able-bodied for granted and not tell anyone about it. Additionally, in a dominant-subordinate relationship, the subordinate will often be classified as imperfect or inadequate. A typical case would be women in the military, where you rarely see women on the front lines. This is because men are generally stronger than women, so women may be given light duties if they are in the military, as women are considered weaker in strength. If a woman is offered career opportunities, she might doubt her ability to hold the position. As Tatum says, the targeted group internalizes the idea that dominants demonstrate to them and may have difficulty believing in their ability to perform. These oppressions are strongly influenced by societal stereotypes. Another example would be foreign workers giving up their seats to Singaporeans while taking public transport. The fact that they give up their place to Singaporeans shows that they have internalized the fact that they do not have the same status as Singaporeans. Furthermore, Tatum also explains that when subordinates tend to closely dominate the group, they have little focus on themselves and in this case, foreign workers strive to give up their seats to Singaporeans without realizing that they are also human beings who have power. dignity and honor, and also have the right to places on public transport. Tatum also mentions that when dominants deny the presence of inequalities, some may think they share similarities and sometimes a collective experience. However, dominants will never be able to feel how oppressed their subordinates are. For example, a child born rich cannot understand how a poor child may worry about how to skimp and save, or have to think twice before buying a pen. A Singaporean may correlate with foreign workers' experience of public transportation in Singapore, but they do not experience the challenges that workers..