Opposing the Cycle

Noelle J.
Socialization & Identity Project
We are all uniquely different, but what makes us human is socialization. This is how we
learn our place and norms, whether it puts us at an advantage or disadvantage, we are given no
control of who we are, based on our sexuality, race, or gender. This way of socialization has
often led us to negatively oppress against one another, subconsciously continuing the cycle
weve come know as socialization. Bobbie Haro states in The Cycle of Socialization, We are
inundated with unquestioned and stereotypical messages that shape how we think and what we
believe about ourselves and others. In society, were ascribed at birth our identities and taught
who we should be by reinforced messages. Through society and media, I have been socialized to
think and believe racism is not a problem, and that white privilege doesnt exist.
We're stereotyped, injusticely judged, and if unlucky, shot. Racism has been alive since
the existence of humankind, and continues to hold a key role in our society today. In the article,
The Cycle of Socialization, Bobbie Haro states, We are unlucky to be born into target groups
and therefore devalued by existing society. Both groups are dehumanized by being socialized
into prescribed roles without consciousness or permission. In society, there are target groups
and agent groups. Target groups are people primarily subjectified against, and victimized by
prejudice, and discrimination, and agent groups are people with more privilege, often born as an
upper class white. Black, Hispanics, Muslims, and Native Americans are placed in target groups
mainly based on the pigmentation of their skin, culture, and stereotypes. This is shown in society
everyday when racially oppressed groups are discriminated against, and treated with unfair
treatment. I see this by how black lives are taken so easily by stereotypical judgements, often
thought as less than whites, and how Native Americans continue to be treated as second class
citizens on the land they lived upon, their history less valued than white, as if the genocide of
their race didnt leave a heavy impact. Even Hispanics and Muslims, they are also looked down
upon, and stereotyped, both groups discriminated against and threatened deportation from our
country in insensitive fear our society has taught. It seems that as human beings, we all
dehumanize one another, whether if its against our race, sexuality, or gender. The problem in my
perspective that we suffer from in society, is ignorance, and the incapability of not seeing each
other as human beings. Can we change? Ideally, yes, but we fear breaking the cycle of
socialization and becoming the opposing side, the unaccepted.
Ever heard of White privilege? Most likely you have. In our society, its become an
issue to recognize white privilege when there is existing denial. In Peggy McIntoshs article,
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, she states, I think whites are carefully
taught not to recognize white privilege, as males are taught not to recognize male privilege. This
is the foundation of how white people are institutionally and culturally socialized to not see
themselves as the oppressor, or individually privileged. Whether we are conscious or
subconscious to privilege in the white community, it does not end good no matter what
circumstance. White people dont need to worry about becoming a victim to police brutality, or
accused falsely based of their race, because in reality, they hold more advantages in the legal
system, which is why you hear many biased cases of white on black crimes. White privilege is

also seen in culture appropriation, where it is seemingly okay for a white person to ignorantly
dress as another culture, yet wrong if a non-white dresses in any way closely related to anything
white and devalued for it. As a native american, white privilege has been one of the main issues
Ive recognized to be a problem for the native community. With white privilege, its hypocritical
that different ethnic groups cannot criticize the government, challenge situations, or openly
vocalize problems. Itd be difficult to do so without being called out against by the color of their
skin, and the culture they come from. While people on the other hand can, with little to no
backlash of what they say. I believe white privilege in our society is one of the main issues
connected to racism and culture the most, damaging our community even worse. If we want to
end it, we need to educate ourselves, and push back against the cycle of socialization that runs
through us. But as Peggy McIntosh states in White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible
Knapsack, Disapproving of the system wont be enough to change them. I was taught to think
that racism could end if white individuals changed their attitude. But a white skin in the United
States opens many doors for whites whether or not we approve of the ways dominance has been
conferred on us. Individual acts can palliate but cannot end these problems.
In our present day, I am told that racism isnt a problem, and white privilege doesnt
exist, but it all derives from the history, up until now. These have been told to many different
ethnic beings, because at some point weve been taught to unconsciously conform to society. Of
course, these are two large prime examples, but we can change this cycle, yet in our time and
age, we dont. As the article The Cycle of Socialization acknowledges, Largely, we dont
ignore messages, rules, roles, structures, and assumptions because there are enforcements in
place to maintain them. People who try to contradict the norm pay a price for their independent
thinking. I believe that true reason we havent changed is because we fear we will become the
outcasts, and it prevents us from breaking from the cycle. How can we, and I as individuals break
the cycles of socialization? I think that I can break the cycle by doing what I feel that is me, and
not conform to society's expectations of roles. If we empower one another, we can help tear
down the cycle that negatively cages in our true identities, keeping who we really are hidden, and
changing ourselves in order to be accepted.

Mask Paragraph
We conform to Society whether we know it or not, by the way were socialized to think
about ourselves, whether if it's positive or negative. We are taught at a fairly young age by people
in our life the norms and beliefs that shape our ideal outlook on how we should act or look. As
we begin to mature as teens, we are exposed to more, and are influenced easily by our friends
and social media more than family. This may be what some may think as normal, but the truth is
by following what others believe in continues the cycle of socialization. That's why everyone has
a mask to cover their true identity, afraid to express who they truly are, because deep down, we
all want to fit in. My mask resembles who I define myself as by my race and culture by the
Native American four corners flag beneath my left eyes, and what I've been branded in our
society as someone who is vain because I like makeup. My lips are rainbow and it resembles
how I advocate for the LGBT community, and the black lines outlined being society wanting to
close off my voice. The music note surrounding my right eyes expresses my love for music, and
what some people may see me as a musician. My mask isn't really a mask for hiding my

identity. I'm outspoken and very proud of who I am, and I can say for myself that opposing the
cycle of socialization has made me more happier than I was years ago.