Visible and Invisible Identity
How do visible factors of our identity affect the way we treat each other? Looking at Ashley Wendy, an individual can see that she is a young, bi-racial, tattoed, African American woman. Interacting with Ashley Wendy, an individual can learn that she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Psychologist, and Assistant Professor at a University. These statements exemplify the many invisible factors that we fail to see when we base our assumption on an individual using only stereotypes from their visible identity. These assumptions are based on the stereotypes of certain races, religions, physical conditions, age, etc. However, by interacting and understanding individuals, one learns that it is wrong to categorize people and make assumptions at first glance.
The article follows Ashley Wendy as she navigates through normal life after receiving major brain surgery to remove a tumor. Due to this surgery, Wendy was left with a large scar across her face along with many black staples. She explains how, when she was out and about in society, she would receive similar reactions to her "black eye". People would look her up and down, look at her husband (who accompanied her), look away, look back, look away...look back. She soon realized that, because of her observable features, society was assuming that she had experienced domestic violence, a scenario African Americans and women are often associated with. She failed to receive empathy from the public because no one was interacting with her, unaware that the black eye was due to surgery, not abuse.
Wendy's black eye also impacted her work life. Her impaired vision prohibited her from driving past a certain hour in the evening. However, the principle of the university she taught at, a white female, had requested that by fall, Wendy would start again teaching her evening class. Wendy was now put in the position to tell a white female, from a black female, that her impairment would not be healed again. It brought her to shame as she had to remind the person with privilege and power that she was more impaired than she appeared.
When we look at a stranger, we first observe their appearance. Using what we gather, our brain automatically forms assumptions and ideas that correlate to the way an individual looks. For example, if we see a white man in a suit in downtown, we will assume he is wealthy, has a job, has a family, and has sufficient food and shelter. On the other hand, when we see a black male in a subway station, we will assume he is poor, has no job, is not providing for his family, and has little to eat. It may be so that people also feel unsafe around this black man. Who to blame for all of these false assumptions? The media and stereotypes. It is unfortunate and wrong that people who experience intersectionality are placed in stereotypes and microaggressions created by the media or fake news. These lies block connections that could be formed between people of different cultures as they make people out to be excessively violent, unintelligent or dangerous. Since intersectionality is prominent in Houston, we must learn to not judge a book by its cover or a person by their appearance. Instead, we should work to learn and understand one's invisible identity.
Article - https://www.longdom.org/open-access/black-eyes-matter-nuances-of-intersectionality-and-their-impact-on-inclusion-and-support-2375-4435-1000165.pdf
The article follows Ashley Wendy as she navigates through normal life after receiving major brain surgery to remove a tumor. Due to this surgery, Wendy was left with a large scar across her face along with many black staples. She explains how, when she was out and about in society, she would receive similar reactions to her "black eye". People would look her up and down, look at her husband (who accompanied her), look away, look back, look away...look back. She soon realized that, because of her observable features, society was assuming that she had experienced domestic violence, a scenario African Americans and women are often associated with. She failed to receive empathy from the public because no one was interacting with her, unaware that the black eye was due to surgery, not abuse.
Wendy's black eye also impacted her work life. Her impaired vision prohibited her from driving past a certain hour in the evening. However, the principle of the university she taught at, a white female, had requested that by fall, Wendy would start again teaching her evening class. Wendy was now put in the position to tell a white female, from a black female, that her impairment would not be healed again. It brought her to shame as she had to remind the person with privilege and power that she was more impaired than she appeared.
When we look at a stranger, we first observe their appearance. Using what we gather, our brain automatically forms assumptions and ideas that correlate to the way an individual looks. For example, if we see a white man in a suit in downtown, we will assume he is wealthy, has a job, has a family, and has sufficient food and shelter. On the other hand, when we see a black male in a subway station, we will assume he is poor, has no job, is not providing for his family, and has little to eat. It may be so that people also feel unsafe around this black man. Who to blame for all of these false assumptions? The media and stereotypes. It is unfortunate and wrong that people who experience intersectionality are placed in stereotypes and microaggressions created by the media or fake news. These lies block connections that could be formed between people of different cultures as they make people out to be excessively violent, unintelligent or dangerous. Since intersectionality is prominent in Houston, we must learn to not judge a book by its cover or a person by their appearance. Instead, we should work to learn and understand one's invisible identity.
Article - https://www.longdom.org/open-access/black-eyes-matter-nuances-of-intersectionality-and-their-impact-on-inclusion-and-support-2375-4435-1000165.pdf
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