WRT 205: Critical Research Dr. Rusty Bartels Wednesday January 16th, 2019 Week 1, Day 2

Overview Short Response review Kaplan – Identity Positionality Crenshaw – Intersectionality Strategic Reflection review (may be Friday) Wrap-up

Short Response First Response DUE Wednesday, January 23rd When we talk about "ethics" and "civic discourse," what are your initial thoughts about what each of those terms mean -- both independently, and in relation to each other? What are some topics, issues, conversations, events, etc. that you connect to these concepts?

Kaplan - Identity Personal Identity Social Identity Double Consciousness Identity Politics Politics of Recognition Deconstructivist Subversion Performativity FREEWRITE: Given your understanding of the reading, alongside the terms/concepts to the left, what are some key points, ideas, and/or arguments that you take away from Kaplan’s essay? Share in groups of 2-4 Hear from a representative of each group

Kaplan - Identity Some Key Points: There are ways that we personally can identify There are ways that society identifies or groups us There are benefits and limitations to identification it can be an opportunity to push for change, address issues of inequality It can lead to exclusion, misunderstanding, and gate-keeping

Kaplan - Identity What are some ways that someone might identify (e.g. “Race”) To add on a layer to this — are any of these identities “visible” to others? For example, if you just saw me walking down the hallway, what would be identities you think you could discern from me? (And this thought experiment assumes no/few/corrected visual limitations) This added layer of in/visibility then is about speaking to that difference between personal and social identification

Positionality 1980s “reflexive trend” in Anthropology & Sociology (and taken up by other fields) The researcher names and identifies their social position in relation to their research subjects Why might this be important? So it’s not just about naming your identities - however you understand them to be - but also understanding the social position which they occupy in relation to others

Crenshaw - Intersectionality Case Study: Emma DeGraffenreid vs. GM Claimed employment discrimination as a black woman Court threw out suit – claimed no discrimination case because GM hired both women and African-Americans Crenshaw identifies this a problem of framing because the courts had no framework to understand the intersections of these gendered & raced experiences 1989 article explores other legal cases and positions her conversation in relation to feminist and civil rights movements of the time – identifying limitations of a single- issue axis where neither movement is able to embrace the totality of their subjects

Crenshaw - Intersectionality “That Black women’s claims automatically raise the question of compound discrimination and white males’ “reverse discrimination” cases do not suggest that the notion of compoundedness is somehow contingent upon an implicit norm that is not neutral but is white male. Thus, Black women are perceived as a compound class because they are two steps removed from a white male norm, while white males are apparently not perceived as a compound class because they somehow represent the norm.” (Footnote 12, 142-143) “The plaintiffs are clearly entitled to a remedy if they have been discriminated against. However, they should not be allowed to combine statutory remedies to create a new ‘super-remedy’ which would give them relief beyond what the drafters of the relevant statutes intended.” (141, ruling from the court)

Crenshaw - Intersectionality FREEWRITE What identities and positions do you inhabit? Which of these do you feel are visible or invisible to others? How do the various facets of your identity influence each other? (e.g. race, gender, class, orientation, religion, etc.) You will not be sharing or discussing your responses with any one else.

Strategic Reflection

Wrap-up Today we: Discussed identity as a concept, its connection to ourselves and our understanding of the world Next time: Focus: Strategic Contemplation Reading: Royster & Kirsch Be sure to share a google drive folder with me at: rrbartel@g.syr.edu