For the last eight weeks, we have been exploring identity development for different groups including, blacks, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians, gay and lesbian, transgender and whites. While the scholars advanced various theories about how identity is developed, it became clear that there are some similarities across groups.
For each of the groups there is a point, usually early in their development when there is a recognition of their identity compared to dominant group (white). “I am different and this difference makes a difference.” There may also be an early stage where the individual actually sees the dominant group as superior and there is an attempt to emulate the dominant culture.
At some point there is usually a negative experience where one realizes that their membership in their group is perceived negatively not only by the dominant group but even by members of their own group. At this stage, individuals might not want to identify with their own group due to the negative or at best mixed messages. They may feel embarrassed or ashamed of being a member of this identity group.
There then comes a time when non-dominant individuals begin to have pride in their identity. This stage is often characterized by wanting to know more about their heritage and may even manifest in negative feelings about the dominant group. They seek out visible symbols that uniquely identify them with their own identity group. Working through this stage, where they are no longer ashamed of their group and they are developing positive self-concepts, they are now able to move to a stage where they no longer resent whites but can begin to establish meaningful relationships with people from other identity groups that allow them to solidly maintain their own identify while at the same time engaging in meaningful relationships with others both dominant and non-dominant.
The exploration of identity development helps us to understand that for non-dominant group individuals there are some very painful and difficult stages to work through and that some people probably never develop through all of the stages and may be stuck at any point along the continuum. The inability to reconcile the feelings of the earlier stages where there is a negative self-concept or a hatred of dominant group members can obviously lead to dire consequences.
