The spring of 1978 my 6th grade class was preparing for graduation by rehearsing the song, \u201cThe Greatest Love of All\u201d1 Every time we sang it, there was one line we nearly screamed at the top of our lungs, \u201cNo matter what they take from me. They can’t take away my dignity\u201d This was because our 62-year-old teacher, Mrs. Geraldine Allen told us many stories about racism and that being black is a beautiful thing. The story that many of us remember with heartache is when Mrs. Allen quietly but boldly told us how Thomas Jefferson raped his 14-year-old slave, Sally Hemings and she actually gave birth to 6 of his children. This was quite disturbing for 12-year-old students but our parents were grateful Mrs. Allen educated us. No wonder she chose that song for our graduation. She, like many African Americans suffered a great loss of dignity due to the fact of a loss of identity. <\/p>\n
Speaking of identity, identify theft is so emotionally and mentally paralyzing. When a stranger has all your personal information, steals your money, closes accounts, leaves you with credit card and consumer debt, and then destroys your online reputation with the IRS, banks, and other creditors. Having your identity actually stolen or taken away from you feels like emotional rape. Once your identity is gone, losing your dignity is not far behind. <\/p>\n
This is why reading Francis Fukuyama\u2019s Identity: \u201cThe Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment,\u201d was so eye opening and affirming for me. \u201cA humiliated group seeking restitution of its dignity carries far more emotional weight than people simply pursuing their economic advantage.\u201d2 Fukuyama (I love that name) demonstrated how the French Revolution, the Arab Spring, the South African transition from apartheid, the Revolution of Dignity, the American Civil Rights Movement, and so many others were all based upon people\u2019s identity being stolen or taken away, which led to a loss in dignity. An important point Fukuyama brings out throughout his work is resentment is the result of indignities. People naturally become indignant, angry, or resentful when they are intentionally treated with disrespect. \u201cBecause human beings naturally crave recognition, the modern sense of identity evolves quickly into identity politics, in which individuals demand public recognition of their worth.\u201d3 <\/p>\n
Mrs. Allen may not have known much about identity politics, but she was right on in regard to helping her students understand their identity is tied to their dignity. Thus, she demanded her students learn this new hit song that spoke so well to uplifting people who were marginalized and disrespected due to their race. <\/p>\n
To help bring this home Fukuyama brought out 3 important concepts:<\/p>\n
1.\tThymos \u2013 the human desire for recognition, which is universal because we all have a desire for respect.
\n2.\tIsothymia \u2013 to be seen as just as good as everyone else. To be recognized as equal in dignity to others.
\n3.\tMegalothymia \u2013 recognition as superior4 <\/p>\n
As I look back 45 years ago, I can see how Mrs. Allen understood all three concepts and wanted to make sure we did not feel inferior to anyone. As I read this book, I thought about my clients. They have been severely abused in unimaginable ways and they come in with no identity or dignity…no \u201cvoice.\u201d It has been stolen by their abuser\/perpetrator and they long to be seen, heard, recognized. They want what they never had but deserve…dignity.<\/p>\n
This is why I agree with Fukuyama as he explores the concept of identity and its role in contemporary society. He examines how identity has become increasingly prominent in recent years. He argues that the politics of identity, where groups demand recognition and respect for their particular identity, has taken precedence over traditional economic or ideological politics. \u201cIdentity politics is everywhere a struggle for the recognition of dignity.\u201d5 Everywhere means everywhere- Ireland, Jamaica, Sudan, Guatemala, Washington D.C., Oxford, Aruba, and so on. It\u2019s everywhere because identity politics \u201cis a natural and inevitable response to injustice.\u201d6 This is why chapter eleven is about the powerful social movements that took place in the 1960\u2019s. There were many injustices and usually when there is an injustice, the Church is nowhere to be found. <\/p>\n
Finally, Fukuyama believes each country needs to work toward a national identity. \u201cNational identity begins with a shared belief in the legitimacy of the country\u2019s political system, whether that system is democratic or not.\u201d7 Even though national identity extends into the culture and values, it is also embodied in the formal laws institutions that dictate what the educational system will teach children about the country\u2019s past, present, and future. This makes national identity in the United States quite challenging to achieve. This is why many people groups will always be screaming at the top of their lungs, \u201cNo matter what they take from me. They can’t take away my dignity!\u201d8 <\/p>\n
1.\t\u201cThe Greatest Love of All\u201d written by Linda Creed. 1977.
\n2.\tFukuyama, Francis. Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2018. 7.
\n3.\tIbid. 10.
\n4.\tIbid. 81.
\n5.\tIbid. 103.
\n6.\tIbid. 115.
\n7.\tIbid. 126.
\n8.\t\u201cThe Greatest Love of All\u201d written by Linda Creed. 1977.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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