Reply #118: You are quite welcome. This is a fascinating discussion. :)

[political_Dem]

I'm sorry that a reply was a long time coming. However, your questions were quite fascinating.

To talk about the experiences that go beyond one's identity, they do exist. That would be the idea of the "collective experience" we have as human beings existing within a society (Jung). However, collective experiences can only go so far--especially when it has to do with one's influences and identity within a given societal system.


Without further ado, here goes in giving my reply to the issues you raised....

1)You posed a question concerning a person existing within the dominant culture, having to learn about its ways and whether it was possible for them to subvert the system.

Yes. There are a plethora of theorists from Angela Davis to Edward Said who discuss this very phenomenon. In fact, for a person in the margins to gain autonomy within a dominant system, some theorize that one must dismantle the power system "using the master's tools". In this manner, a person could run for office. Or, they could lobby for a bill that protects people on the margins. They could even form a group that lobbies on a specific issue. These are a few of many ways to do it.

Other ways of breaking down the system is exposing the corrupt influences of the power system and its social relations with its subjects. (Michel Foucault). That would concern the issue of activism and protest. The main issue is using truth as a form of power.

2)You asked whether it was possible for a person from one cultural identity to give a valid criticism of a President who is from another:

Of course. People do it everyday. However, it depends on who receives the message. Also it deals with whether the receivers either belongs or is knowledgeable about the cultures of the President or the speaker to interpret the message as valid or not. This is where all the societal influences on a person's identity come into play. How well the speaker and the receiver of the message knows about other cultures (including that of the POTUS) depends on how such a message will be interpreted. Therefore, the exchange of information in such a setting can grow quite complicated. Exchanging information is just like the kid's game of "Telephone" in which a simple utterance can be changed based on how the listener receives the message via the sum of their experiences.

3)Lastly, you asked that if a person who doesn't totally follow the "white dominant norms" to give a valid criticism about a person who has fully assimilated into that system:

Again, yes. Lots of people do it everyday. However, that would depend how the speaker does not subscribe to the "white dominant norms" in a given society. It would also depend on the person's point of view regarding assimilated society. On one hand, you could be talking about Emo/Goth culture. On the other hand, you could be discussing the Untouchables in India.

It has to do with a person's identity, experiences, influences, politics and environment. Thus, how the the message was transmitted and received plays into its interpretation. There are many factors that determine the validity, idea and weight of the answer. That's why one person could find such a message offensive while another could treat it as gospel.

Consequently, there aren't easy answers to this pertinent issue. That's why many philosophers, academics and theorists have studied and produced a body of work about communication, power relations and societal influences. However, I can tell that you have strong principles in trying to work at finding what truth, justice and power means to you. It's all about the communication of ideas and how one uses them in their daily life to get towards a deeper understanding of the world. That's why learning and empathizing with other cultures is rather important in that determination. It creates a sense of greater awareness than just being isolated under the influences of a particular set of information and behaviors.

As for the books that you have yet to read? Join the club. ;). Since I love exploring different theoretical ideas, there an many texts that are waiting for me when I find the time to read them. So don't feel bad.

I appreciate your questions and observances. I believe that the exchange of ideas in this manner is an effective way to develop understanding. :)