Okay, this blog should have been here last week but I'm begging for some lenience... the weekend before was crazy bad. and ive been runnin' around with my head in cosmic chaos for the past week. one day, ill learn how to put myself n my needs first... but it never seems like good timing. oye.
Connolly and Noumair- Crossing Boundaries
Group Relations model is beyond merely the in-group/out-group paradigm, theorizing that the "other" designation on the basis of a difference acts through forces that are both conscious (i.e. signifying the difference, in this context, as being undesirable) and unconscious (splitting and projective) processes of identification. Inherently, this model encompasses both psychological and social forces :-) I approve. Projections are grouped with stereotypes under the group relations model, and in semi-sociological terms because every interaction has a symbolically attached meaning, whether it be to a word, color, object, whatever is being identified as the "other", rapid symbolic interaction serves as the projections and stereotypes that the mind uses constantly. The dialogue between the black and white females reveal the levels on which they connect, such as their sexuality, and the levels on which they themselves become the "other"
the "projective identification dynamic" that Medria mentions is interesting in that as a white woman, she feared most her identification as a lesbian, while Debra feared most that her identity as a black woman would fall short in that people would like what Medria had to say over what she did, both presenting vulnerabilities in certain aspects of their identities.
Medria reveals that the most daunting aspect of her black self is the arena of American culture's ideal of beauty. she feels that on the majority, her beauty will never measure up to the beauty that Debra inherently holds, being a white woman. she also reveals the stereotype of white women being weak, whiny, and in need of everyone to take care of them- this bothers her because she does not have the opportunity to take on the same role- "the legacy of slavery has taught us that we must take care of ourselves". Underneath the anger at the hatred of the negative sanctions that come with being black is being Hurt. and this hurt often leads her to act in certain situations as what others call "a wanna be white girl", a behavior that has some truth in it because talking "properly" and presenting herself as neutral, rather than angry or hurt. a lot of projection arises from this identity dynamic and she finds herself in avoidance of discussions about race, latching on to discussion about sexism, which is accepted across all women, rather than only black women. Such an aversion of racial identity greatly contributes to her perceived "white" characteristics. This seems somewhat counter-intuitive as most people of color are more in touch with their racial identity, therefore should be more comfortable with issues surrounding the topic, yet Medria finds herself immersed in white culture and latching on to her lesbian identity, as opposed to her black identity. We are all products of society, but we especially are products of situation- Medria being a well-educated black woman puts forth a 'face' that she deems more acceptable
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