Holding Hope and Rethinking Silence
The Identity Trap: A story of Ideas and Power in Our Time, by Yascha Mounk, offered a clear perspective on the discord and polarization I encountered when I returned to the USA in 2014. Something had drastically changed over the years that I could not put my finger on and left me fearful of speaking up or voicing an opinion. Every topic seemed contentious. I felt like a modern day Rip Van Winkle. I chalked it up to reverse culture shock until that didn’t seem to fit my experience. I have carried a sense of shame at my silence, questioning my thoughts, and second-guessing myself. Understandably, I had no framework for the changes that seemingly took place overnight. Mounk’s well-researched look at the changes in thinking about identity and the current trends in response to inequity and injustice challenge me to look beyond the puzzling opinions and behaviors I witnessed and presents me with an invitation to reflect on my silence and formulate a thoughtful response.
Mounk historically and academically traced the origins of a new ideology he terms, “identity synthesis,” which describes the new way progressives think about identity and envision a future society defined by division into distinct identity groups based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability etc.[1] He highlighted the dangers and offered alternative responses. While Mounk acknowledges that identity synthesis spotlights real injustices he states, “I have grown convinced that the identity synthesis will prove deeply counterproductive.”[2] Mounk goes on to say, “The identity synthesis is a political trap, making it harder to sustain diverse societies whose citizens trust and respect each other. It is also a personal trap, one that makes misleading promises about how to gain the sense of belonging and social recognition that most humans naturally seek.”[3] I am relieved to know what I experienced has a name and alarmed by the intention and impact of such an ideology. Mounk’s writing opens up ways for reasonable, respectful, and reflective dialogue on the deeply personal experiences of identity and belonging which aids the formulation of well-articulated and informed responses to the injustice and oppression of human beings.
One aspect of identity synthesis which troubles and saddens me relates to standpoint theory in which there is an apparent rejection of hope and the belief that, “… members of different identity groups will never be able to understand one another.”[4] For someone who values deep listening and strives to be empathetic and understanding overcoming that barrier feels daunting. Those in identity groups different from me have suffered unjustly and are in deep pain. To not have hope is excruciatingly frightening and isolating. To not be seen, heard, have experiences and feelings validated, or amends offered is a desperate place to be. Maybe my silence is masking my defenses, shame, insensitivity, judgments, or fears of how I am perceived. Can I just get out of the way and listen? It is about their story, their experience, and their pain. All of which deserve acknowledgment, action, and healing. My question is how do I offer genuine listening, empathy, and hope to those who don’t believe it is possible? How do I respond to an ideology that feels dangerous and destructive to others, and ultimately to self, and one’s cause?
I was introduced to intersectionality through an Old Testament class. Experimenting with Kimberle Crenshaw’s concept while studying an OT passage was insightful. While Mounk notes that intersectionality has taken on a life of its own in ways Crenshaw did not foresee, I like her general premise as intersectionality invites me to look at people and their social situations through multiple layers of identity.[5] I admittedly have a simplistic view of intersectionality. I am concerned about how it supports the belief that people of different identity groups are incapable of understanding one another and how proponents of identity synthesis arrived at that conclusion. However, Crenshaw’s original ideas provide a valuable means of envisioning and relating to others’ experiences. In Intersectional Theology: An Introductory Guide, authors Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Susan M. Shaw describe intersectionality as a tool for analysis stating, “…intersectionality is a lens for understanding how gender, race, social class, sexual identity, and other forms of difference work concurrently to shape people and social institutions within multiple relationships of power.”[6] Whether applied to biblical passages or real people, intersectionality can be a useful tool when attending to the experiences of others and moves me to respond with empathy and compassion. I don’t have the “lived experience” of people in marginalized groups, but I am able to listen and honor their suffering. Intersectionality opens up space to broaden my understanding.
I don’t want my “lived experience” to be one of toxic positivity, denial, or pretense. I can’t help but to see the benefits of coming together to understand one another’s struggles and to share various cultural influences. I loved Mounk’s phrase, “the joy of mutual influence.”[7] I have a rich experience of sharing cultures, customs, and history, including suffering and trauma with those whose experiences are different from mine. I have learned from those who have risked their own vulnerabilities to let me into their world. I am inspired by their resilience, stories, and culture which opened up ways to celebrate our differences, honor our common humanity, and develop authentic relationships. Trust, respect, belonging, and social recognition can be restored in community and shared experiences. Maybe my voice is one of invitation and generous welcome.
At the beginning of this post I noted my shame in not speaking up. I identify myself as the “reluctant heretic.”[8] On the other hand, maybe silence is an appropriate response and has its rightful place. Listening and validating the experiences of others allows me to hold onto hope when others have none. My silence and willingness to listen is an important first step.
[1] Yascha Mounk, The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time (New York: Penguin Press, 2023), 9.
[2] Mounk, The Identity Trap, 13.
[3] Ibid., 14.
[4] Ibid., 135.
[5] Ibid., 59.
[6] Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Susan M. Shaw, Intersectional Theology: An Introductory guide (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2018), 2.
[7] Mounk, The Identity Trap, 158.
[8] Ibid., 273.
About the Author
Jenny Dooley
Jenny served as a missionary in Southeast Asia for 28 years. She currently resides in Gig Harbor, Washington, where she works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Spiritual Director in private practice with her husband, Eric. Jenny loves to listen and behold the image of God in others. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family which include 5 amazing adult children, 3 awesome sons-in-law, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and 8 delightful grandchildren.10 responses to “Holding Hope and Rethinking Silence”
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Counter productive. I so agree.
I wonder how we would be divided up if our peer group had to remain with its own tribe of whatever. I would be bereft of the wisdom and perspective that each of you bring into my life.
Why do humans create these walls and barriers (a product of the fall?) Did the tower of babel launch us on this path of different languages, different cultures – now a “rainbow” of differences.
The emergence and power of tribes? Keeping our blood pure? (flash forward to my immigration topic).
Oddly in these chaotic moments, I see our ROCK – Jesus Christ – as the only solid thing in these shifting sands.
Shalom
Hi Russell,
Your response has pondering the tower of Babel. It seems that the mixing of languages and resulting separation is only considered a punishment or consequence. I wonder if it might not have also been a gift, an invitation to rich cultural experiences, an opportunity to work through differences together, and learn to turn our attentions rightly toward God. We humans find all sorts of ways to form in groups and out groups. I wonder what was happening before the Tower of Babel. Who was left out of that towering aspiration? Who suffered injustices as a result of that endeavor? While I hold onto hope, I trust that God has some redemptive purpose for us and long for the day when we stand before God’s throne worshiping in spirit and in truth.
Hi, Jenny,
I hope you have had a chance to catch your breath after such a busy December.
You ended with such a profound statement…”My silence and willingness to listen is an important first step.” This is something I find I need to intentionally implement instead of going with my initial reaction to some of the ideologies that are prevelent.
Also, thank you for mentioning the concept of “intersectionality” and the source you listed. This is new to me but seems very helpful in understanding life on so many levels. Looking at “people and their social situations through multiple layers of identity” gives much more insight to understanding the complexities of people’s actions and motives. How have you applied this on a practical level in your ministry context?
Hi Esther,
I think I needed another week to catch my breath, but I am getting back to my routines which feels good. Thank you for asking and for the question regarding intersectionality.
In terms of my ministry context which includes counseling, spiritual direction, individual and small group conversation, multicultural experiences, and exploring biblical texts with others, I would say an intersectional perspective has opened up ways for me to be curious, listen without judgment, and broadened by understanding of the beauty and complexity of human beings and their lived experience. No one should be seen through only one lens of their identity. We all have multiple layers of identity and experience. I must apply intersectionality to myself as well. We all have very different experiences which require different responses. Taking an intersectional perspective helps my see injustices that I might have missed or not considered.
Esther, I left out a very important way intersectionality helps me in my ministry context. It helps me see the power differentials at work among people. In a variety of group contexts it helps me notice how a persons level of education, socio-economic status, exposure to the bible, gender, job description or role in the church etc… impacts who gets to make decisions, voice an opinion, or in other ways are dismissed or ignored. I’m still chewing on your question:)
Hi Jenny! Thanks for your inspiring post!
I am deeply intrigued by the sincere expressions you share in your writing. I wholeheartedly agree with you. This resonance is palpable in our conversations, in Cape Town and Oxford. I am also interested in your writing method which dialogues Mounk’s thoughts with Intersectional Theology. It is so brilliant! If I may inquire further, beyond opening a space for genuine encounters and a willingness to listen. Does Intersectional Theology also offer advocacy for efforts to fight for equal human dignity? How does it work? Thank you.
Hi Dinka,
I keep hitting the wrong reply button. My response is below.
Jenny,
Thank you for highlighting listening. I have found that for me, silence offers space to listen and pray. There are times to listen and times to speak up. I gain so much understanding and appreciation of Imago Dei in each person as I listen.
Thank you, Cathy,
The entire time I was writing my post James 1:19 was running through my head,
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
Holding space for silence and listening is no easy task. While James charges the task of listening to everyone, I am reminded that someone must to choose to listen first and let others speak their mind. Especially when people are hurting and treated unjustly. I don’t feel I have earned the right to speak until I have truly listened to understood.
Hi Dinka, Thank you for responding to my post. I am not sure I have answer for your question as I fear my interpretation and application of Intersectionality is my own and very simplistic. When intersectionality came up in Mounk’s writing I was curious about it given my limited exposure to it in a seminary class. I am not using it in terms of activism but simply as a way of being curious and noticing how we all come to the table with different identities that uniquely converge into one unique human being which uncovers injustices and imbalances of power. In that regard we can certainly become aware of injustices and take action. Mounk seems to imply that an intersectional view has morphed into something it was not intended and which may contribute to forms of activism that do not encourage much dialogue. I don’t think I have an answer to your question as I just have more questions. I need to do more reading on the subject and hope I am not totally missing the point!