6/9 Blog

    Rogers Brubaker and Frederick Cooper’s Beyond “identity” explains not only the uses of identity, but also how

people perceive and facilitate a strong or weak perception of themselves or of others. By comparing characteristics

or categories of practice to make sense of oneself or trying to analyze a group of individuals into one “nationality” or

“group”, identity can take form in many ways. Beyond “identity” highlights the political action used for

manipulating and persuading people’s ideas of identity along with the weaker conceptions of identification

which can mold in multiple ways with a more fluid approach. This approach contrasts with other ideas

that all ethnic or racial groups have an identity, this shows the true uncertainty surrounding the true

definition of identity.

    One part of the reading that resonated with me was when they began talking about how identity claims become more

powerful and clearer when there is an institutional weakness. This made me think back to the three examples used

in the first class when we tried to tie identity into those situations. All three had some example of a person or system

in power that made a questionable decision that tied into class politics and people took a stand for a new opposing

decision. Some may argue that these forms of identity were constructed and are fragmented due to the sheer number

of people taking a stand and the decisions made. Others may view these conflicts as an example of a stronger

conception of identity in the eyes of Brubaker and Cooper due to an ethnic or racial group having the right to an

identity. Either way identity was highlighted and became its most notable self due to the weakness of politics.

    To me identity is a combination of characteristics and actions you have taken and how you as an individual have

perceived those qualities along with how others view and perceive you. Brubaker and Cooper mention the

differences between self and peer identification and to me they are intertwined and connected. When talking about

“self-understanding” they mentioned that we need external identifications to truly understand yourself. We can not

assume that we have complete cognitive awareness of our actions at all times. External relationships can help

strengthen, weaken, or mold our own identities that we have given to ourselves. We may never see our own identity

exactly the way others see it, but I agree with Brubaker and Cooper that self understanding will not lead to an exact

independent internal identity.

    I believe this reading relates to the Black Lives Matter protests very clearly. I think we should identify more based on

the values we hold and the qualities we have as people with regards to legal and criminal decisions or actions.

Identifying based on an ethnic group, nationality or race has its positives mentioned in the commonality, connectedness,

and groupness part of the reading. However, when regarding government matters the identity of one person should

not change the result of a punishment or decision against them. Rather, the action that took place should determine

a just punishment.