An Analysis Of Tatum's The Complexity Of Identity

Jesri Joseph

EGL-1010

June 30 2023

An Analysis of Beverly Daniel Tatum’s “The Complexity of Identity: ‘Who Am I?’”

Understanding one's identity is a pivotal journey in life, as it encompasses figuring out who exactly we are. This journey can be complex, incorporating multiple factors and elements. In her essay, "Who Am I?" David Tatum explores this topic of identity by analyzing the diverse factors that contribute to its formation. Furthermore, Tatum focuses on the influence of power dynamics, specifically domination and subordination, and how individuals construct/present their identities based on these two factors. Throughout her essay Tatum presents multiple claims while also providing details and empirical evidence to support her claims.

One key claim, for example, is that our identities are multidimensional rather than simplistic. She states, “This “looking glass self” is not a flat one-dimensional reflection, but multidimensional. How one’s racial identity is experienced will be mediated by other dimensions…” (Tatum 1). In other words, our identity is not solely determined by a singular factor but by multiple factors and how those factors interact with each other. Another claim made by Tatum is that people’s perception of themselves are heavily impacted by the dominant group. In her essay she writes, “The dominant group holds the power and authority in society relative to the subordinates and determines how that power and authority may be acceptably used” (Tatum 3). She continues on to explain that dominant groups set the norm and when subordinate groups portray dominant traits it is set as an important part of their identity (Tatum 3).This is understandable as our uniqueness is often the focal point of our identities, if we carry a trait that is special among our group it will be a distinct part of our identity, even if that trait may be common within other

She utilizes personal anecdotes, research, historical examples, expert opinions, and case studies/interviews. For instance, Tatum quotes Audre Lorde utilizing her easy “Age. Race. Class. And Sex: Women Redefining Difference” Simply said, Tatum quotes the part of this essay that explains the mythical norm in America and its power, she also explains how those outside of the norms credit this norm for the oppression in America (Tatum 2-3). This evidence corroborates Tatums belief on the impacts dominant groups have on subordinates. Furthermore, by using a source from Audre Lorde who is part of multiple subordinate groups as a “Black lesbian feminist,” Tatum strengthens her point. Another instance where Tatum uses evidence is when he/she recalls a time when he/she asks a specific question during a class exercise. Tatum asks them to complete the sentence, “I am ___.” From this question Tatum reports a pattern within the student’s answers. Tatum explains how individuals usually mention the minority groups they are a part of and not the dominant ones. For example, women mentioned being female, colored people mentioned their racial/ethnic group, Jewish people mentioned their religion, etc (Tatum 2). This is a clear example of how people tend to focus on their uniqueness and backs up Tatums claim that the dominant groups take their characteristics for granted. Tatum further utilizes other expert