Free Native Son Essays: Class and Identity :: Native Son Essays

Class and identity operator-whats the difference? Merriam Websters 9th Collegiate-Class A group sharing the same sparing or tender status. 2 A group, set, or kind sharing common attributes. Identity Sameness of essential or generic character in different instances b sameness in tout ensemble that constitutes the clinical reality of a thing. According to these definitions, class is a sub-set of identity identity being the container for all different kinds of sameness, class being the sameness relating specifically to economic or social status. An argument that they argon the same might state that since ones economic/social status so completely limits or enables people in this society, that the overall identity of people is dictated by their class. It might further define the objective reality as the manifestation of a thing in light of its realistic limits and abilities. Take Robert for example. Who is Robert? What questions do we ask first? What is most important to us in formi ng our impression of him? In a multi-racial country like the United States, race might be one of the first. Physical appearances hair color, weight, etc. We train a mental image. Once we know these things, certain assumptions are made. Many of these assumptions are silent, almost subconscious judgments based on superficial information. Robert is black. Oh. Wheres he from? Detroit. Oh. split up of assumptions here. His class is practically defined for us through popular stereotypes without mention of his economic position. Guess what, hes poor, lives in the projects with his single mother. Oh. So now, what do we know of Roberts identity? Well, nothing really. But in reality, we can guess a whole lot of real life things that directly affect his identity, define it, limit it. He probably doesnt do well in school. Not because hes stupid, but because he has a bad attitude, and who could blame him the school he attends performs random searches of students. There are metal detectors and armed guards at every entrance and exit. To him, school is literally like a prison. And what prison really encourages thought in its inmates? No, just arse about them through. Theres no money for thought. Perhaps Robert is in a gang. Sure, gang is a handy label, but he might have a group of friends, and more of them carry weapons. They have a local area in common and believe correctly that Detroit is a dangerous city.