Several times I’ve been involved in programs or program series in which the focus topic is identity saliency (something that is prominent or important to me). During these exercise we’re asked to think about our most and least salient identities. Every time, I have a tough time answering the latter.
I struggle with this question because I am reminded of the identity that, in a sense, I ignore most. This struggle within me continues because I’m disappointed that my job consists of educating people about becoming aware of targeted identities and their privileges as members of untargeted group, and then find myself unaware of some of these same issues.
When I go through this brief battle with myself, I ask myself, how do I balance my time between my more salient identities (typically the identities in which I belong to targeted group), and the not so salient identities (typically the identities in which I have privilege). I also hate to remind myself that I’m still a work in progress and recognize that I too need to be reminded of some unearned advantages I have, and to feel guilty or disappointed in myself. Feelings of guilt and disappointment ultimately, don’t move anybody or issues forward.
With that said, I challenge you folks to think about your identity saliency. What’s most salient? What identity do you think about the least? Why do you think that is? Try to think about the identities in which you are privileged and those in which you are targeted. Is it easier to think about the ones that put you at a disadvantage? If so, examine why.
Alba García
Community Relations Facilitator – Southside
As a community relation facilitator (CRF) for University Housing and Dining I actively engage in peer education with social justice and diversity issues through facilitation and events in the residence halls. I also act as a liaison between RA staff and the cultural centers. With my job comes a lot of professional development to further my knowledge on social justice and diversity issues. An opportunity given to me to further my development was attending the Power of One conference put on by both the University of Idaho and Washington State University. This conference was great for furthering my knowledge about the LGBT community and on how to become an even better Ally to the community.
I recently attended a meeting at the University of Idaho and Washington State University known as the Power of One, a leadership conference for LGBT and ally students. This was an unforgettable experience. I learned so much about issues ranging from the identities of transgender people to the oppressions of the LGBT community and people of color within the community. What I learned the most from was not the conference itself, but from the reactions of my family members when I told them that I would be attending this conference.
First, my grandfather heard me just mention the word “gay” and he exploded with frustration and anger towards the community. Asking questions like, “They aren’t trying to turn you gay, are they?” I became confused as to how I could ever explain to this man, whom I deeply respect, and who comes from a generation that has not been the most accepting, that “they” could never turn me gay. The people around me at this conference didn’t make a choice to identify in this way. In fact many shared their struggles as how they tried to conform to what society claims to be the norm, but they knew deep down that it was not possible for them to do so.
Then I had a conversation with my mother who said she was deeply concerned. She couldn’t believe that my job wanted to send me to an LGBT conference when I identify as a heterosexual male. She thought that I was forced to go rather than volunteering. My mother said she was not concerned that my job was trying to change my sexual identity, and that she accepts the gay community, but was concerned my friends would make fun of me for attending this conference. I told my mother if my friends didn’t accept what I believe in and decide to make fun of me for being surrounded by people from the LGBT community, then they were not my friends at all!
Hearing from my grandfather and my mother showed me views that are held by many in our society today. It crushes me to know that many within my own family claim to be accepting but in reality they are far from it. Our society has progressed leaps and bounds from my grandfather’s generation to mine, but we still have a long ways to go. They say the hardest people to confront and try to inform are those who are closest to you, but I feel if I can make even the tiniest baby step with my family, then I can clear even the largest obstacles set by my peers.
-Kevin Rodemack
Community Relations Facilitator – Westside
