I am a black woman. In a world where the color of one’s skin gives people the first impression of an individual, this has influenced my life. Racism is still evident in the society today. Being in a country where black is seen as inferior and less attractive by the majority of the population, this identity has shaped my beliefs and self-concept an immense deal. History and the media have contributed to the worldview of black women that is sometimes contrary to individual experiences. A controversial article by Dr. Satoshi Kanazawa that appeared in Psychology Today on 15th May, 2011 argued that black women are “objectively” less attractive. Although the article drew a lot of criticism from all corners of the globe and has since been deleted, it shows how black women are still viewed in the society. This is because the article tried to justify the inferiority of black women.
This is one of the numerous experiences that have shaped my self-concept. This is because self-concept is a part of the social product and experience influenced by the attitudes and behavior of others towards an individual or group of individuals. Black women tend to be self-aware of their surroundings. They tend to wonder how the people around them think about them, even their fellow black counterparts (Parham, White and Ajamu 6). I am no exception. Black women tend to seek validation and approval from the society more than their counterparts from other races. They feel that they must work hard to show that they are worthy of love and support. This makes them work unnecessarily harder for others. This self-concept also makes black women to be suspicious of others, making them question the intention of other people even when it is unnecessary. Black ladies tend to question most things that happen in regard to them, always looking for that connection between the state of affairs and their “blackness” (Parham, White and Ajamu 23).
My identity has influenced my social interactions. This is in terms of whom I socialize with, who most of my friends are and how I interact with different groups of individuals. The realization that other races consider themselves more attractive and more appealing makes black ladies feel less secure in their company. This makes them feel comfortable in the company of their fellow blacks because they also feel comfortable in their company. It is not uncommon to see groups of black women isolating themselves and “sticking together” in various social settings. Black women will tend to consolidate themselves in order to present a higher bargaining power and feel at ease (Parham, White and Ajamu 45).
This worldview has influenced my experiences and approach in life. In history, past and recent, black women have achieved extraordinary feats, overcoming all odds along the way. This makes me understand that I have to work harder than my white counterparts for the same opportunities. The competition for career opportunities as well as for men (black or white) makes black ladies feel they need to work harder. Black women even tend to question the intention of black men because they think that they might go for the while ladies. They end up working too hard because they feel they are physically less attractive than their white counterparts hence they have to compensate for their inadequacies.
In conclusion, the influences that self-identity has on an individual almost entirely define who they are, their likes and dislikes as well as their social inclinations. Although things such as one's race are merely social constructions, they influence an individual’s identity a great deal (Parham, White and Ajamu 34).
Works cited
Parham, T. A., L.J White and A. Ajamu. The Psychology of Blacks: An African Centered
Perspective (3rd Edition). Prentice Hall, 1999.Print.
