Introduction
Social identity is a person’s sense of self as a member of a social group or society. It is often thought of as a person’s sense of belonging to a particular group or community. This essay identifies how one’s identity influences their view on another, contributing to social injustices, and how taking time to know about others and establishing relations with different people can help overcome this issue.
Discussion
One way in which people’s social identities can be a significant obstacle to our pursuit of an ethically successful life is that they can lead us to adopt a fixed and inflexible view of ourselves and the world around us. Additionally, social identities can sometimes cause people to act in ways that are harmful to others or that are at odds with our values (McPherson & Shelby, 2004). For example, suppose one sees themselves as a member of a particular group or community. In that case, they may be more likely to discriminate against or mistreat those not members of that group.
Moreover, how the broader society shapes social identities can make it difficult for people to lead ethically successful lives. For example, an organization based on hierarchy and exclusion may prompt people to internalize these values and then act in ways that reproduce these systems of oppression (McPherson & Shelby, 2004). Alternatively, if a community is constantly bombarded with messages depicting certain groups of people as inferior or dangerous, they may believe these messages and act accordingly.
It is essential to know how social identities can influence one’s thoughts and actions and work to counter them. Additionally, people can try to build relationships with others with different social identities than their own (McPherson & Shelby, 2004). These relationships can broaden people’s perspectives and help them see the world more complex and nuancedly. Finally, people can strive to create a more just and inclusive society, which will help reduce social identity’s harmful effects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, People’s social identities are shaped by their interactions with others in the groups and communities to which they belong. These interactions can be positive or negative, but they all contribute to a person’s sense of self. Positive effects can include a sense of belonging and community. In contrast, adverse effects can consist of feeling like an outsider or feeling like you have to conform to the group’s norms.
Reference
McPherson, L. K., & Shelby, T. (2004). Blackness and Blood: Interpreting African American identity. Philosophy Public Affairs, 32(2), 171–192. Web.