Rethinking Group Identity

Some people seem to think that everyone is subsumed by one overriding group identity.  And if that group contains individuals with certain characteristics, then everyone else in that group must have those characteristics as well. But a moment reflection is sufficient to show that this cannot be the case.

All women are physically weaker than men? All men are sexual predators? All French people resent American influence? All British citizens share in the guilt of imperial conquest? All Christians believe that ‘an eye for an eye’ means no transgression should ever be forgiven? All those who do not subscribe to a religious doctrine have no moral compass? All elderly people fear change? All young people are angry?

From trivial generalisation to obnoxious stereotyping, the inclination to categorise people by a monolithically defined group identity is misguided and dangerous.

Ultimately, it makes no sense. Each of us has multiple group identities, and none of those identities can be captured by a single set of characteristics. We draw from some of them, don’t mind too much about some, and firmly reject others. These unique and varied dispositions are what give us our distinct identity as a person. 

For example, am I, as a Brit – born in a traditional Chinese family, spent my formative years in a Catholic boarding school in Sussex, a life member of Humanists UK, educated at Oxford, having to make a living as an immigrant when employment opportunities were dwindling, attached to classic European civilisation, absorbed in American popular culture – supposed to resent my British self for the guilt of the Opium Wars against China? Or do I condemn my Chinese self from a contemporary British perspective for China’s violation of human rights? Am I appropriating European culture when I write in its intellectual tradition?  Do I betray my British roots whenever I favour American entertainment? 

In practice, I see the good in diverse groups I can be classified in, and I want to emulate those elements.  I also see regrettable aspects associated with some members of those groups, and I do not hesitate to criticise them.  But I am not thus battling myself.  I am piecing together what out of the different groups/categories to which I can be said to belong, the features I want to be at the core of my being.

Nearly everyone, even those who have not moved far from where they were born, would – if they think about it long enough – recognise they have multiple group identities.  Instead of pretending they must choose one and accept what some propagandist may selectively pick out as the defining characteristics of that group, they should consider what elements would truly embody the kind of person they want to be.

A Brit can criticise Britain’s imperial atrocities without being any less of a patriot. A Catholic can condemn the Church for ignoring immoral practices by members of the clergy without being any less of a believer.  A man can challenge anti-feminists without being less of a man.

Group identities do not define us. We reflect on varied elements of multiple group identities and define ourselves.