Back to Search Start Over

Theorizing identity: beyond the 'us' and 'them' dichotomy.

Authors :
Yuval-Davis N
Source :
Patterns of prejudice [Patterns Prejudice] 2010; Vol. 44 (3), pp. 261-80.
Publication Year :
2010

Abstract

Yuval-Davis discusses three interconnected questions relating to identity. She first examines whether and in what ways the notion of identity should be theorized, on the one hand, and empirically researched, on the other, focusing on the opposing views of Stuart Hall and Robin Williams. She then examines the contested question of what is identity, positioning it in relation to notions of belonging and the politics of belonging, and in relation to several influential schools of thought, especially those that construct identity as a mode of narrative, as a mode of performativity or as a dialogical practice. Her third interrelated question concerns the boundaries of identity and the relationship between self and non-self. She explores both social psychological and psychoanalytical approaches to that question, and deals with questions such as reflexivity, identifications and forced identities. The last part of the article explores several types of relationships between self and non-self, such as: 'me' and 'us'; 'me/us' and 'them'; 'me' and other 'others'; 'me' and the transversal 'us/them'. Yuval-Davis's basic argument here is that dichotomous notions of identity and difference, when theorizing boundaries of individual and collective identities, are more misleading than explanatory.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0031-322X
Volume :
44
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Patterns of prejudice
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
20607907
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/0031322X.2010.489736