Cultural Identity and Social Theory Insights

Mestiza consciousness

Awareness formed at the intersection of multiple cultures, identities, and contradictions; embraces ambiguity and hybridity.

False machismo

Insecurity masked as hypermasculinity; rooted in low self-esteem and oppression.

Visible yet invisible

Marginalized people are seen (via stereotypes) but not truly recognized or understood.

Traditional Epistemology

Four tenets: Objectivity through distance, Emotionless observation, Value-free research, Knowledge progresses via debate.

Black Feminist Epistemology

Lived experience, Dialogue, Personal accountability, Ethics of caring.

Matrix of domination

Systems of oppression (race, gender, class) that are interlocking.

Safe spaces for Black women

Relationships, music (blues), literature.

Single story

Reductive stereotypes formed when only one narrative is heard.

Why stories matter

Stories shape identity and worldviews. They can dehumanize or empower.

Capitalism

Is unstable → leads to socialism, then communism.

Proletariat

Produces wealth.

Class antagonism

Conflict between bourgeoisie (owners) & proletariat (workers).

False consciousness

Acceptance of inequality as normal.

Class

Socioeconomic group (income, education).

Status

Respect or prestige.

Lifestyle

Consumption choices, habits.

Key insight

People are judged and constrained by class markers.

Cultural capital

Knowledge, tastes, and habits that signal class.

Doxa

Unquestioned beliefs that shape power dynamics.

Distinction

Culture used to differentiate social classes.

Symbolic Interactionism

Meaning comes from interaction.

Role-playing

We perform identities (gender, class, etc.).

Rationalization

Replacing traditions with efficiency, predictability, calculability, control.

McDonaldization

Components: Efficiency, Predictability, Calculability, Control (often via tech).

Irrationality of rationality

Loss of creativity, sustainability, and quality (e.g., fast fashion, fast food, cheap housing).

Emotional labor

Managing emotions to present the "right" emotional state (e.g., flight attendants).

Marx's alienation

Just as workers are alienated from products, they're also alienated from their feelings.

Sex

Biological identity.

Gender

Socially constructed roles/expectations.

Gender expression

How one presents themselves externally.

Judith Butler

Gender is performative—not "real" but made real through repetition.

West & Zimmerman

"Doing gender" is acting out gender through interactions and institutions.

Foucault

Surveillance shapes how people behave (discipline is internalized).

Mead's tribes

Gender roles are not universal.

Sweden's gender-neutral pronoun 'Hen'

Shows gender varies culturally and over time.

Hijras (India)

Recognized third gender.

Sojourner Truth

Intersection of race and gender identity.

Popular culture

Widely consumed, crosses boundaries.

Multiculturalism

Values coexistence of distinct cultures.

Cultural Appropriation

Taking elements from another culture without respect, understanding, or acknowledgment.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Invisible in rock history.

Role of the Arts

Economics: Who produces, who profits; Politics: Telling stories, controlling narratives; Society: Reproduces race/class/gender ideas.

Music

Cultural expression + social connector/divider.

Dunbar's poem

The emotional mask of the marginalized.

James C. Scott

Public vs Hidden Transcripts: Public: What's said in front of power; Hidden: What's expressed in safe/private settings.

Political intelligence

Logic + compassion + desire to understand hard truths.

Successful protests

Recognize power, Build coalitions, Prioritize action, Exploit weak spots in power, Break unjust rules, Plan long-term, Make it fun.

Personal vs Civic Responsibility

Personal = managing your life; Civic = transforming unjust systems.

Agent vs structure

We didn't create systemic harm, but we are responsible for changing it.

Assata Shakur

Political exile, wrongly imprisoned.

Huey Newton

Co-founder of Black Panther Party.

Wilma Mankiller

First female Chief of Cherokee Nation.

Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta

Labor rights activists.

Malcolm X

Radical Black nationalist, emphasized self-determination.