"Racism isn't different to other forms of tribalism. It's simply based on a different arbitrary cause."
Sebastian Junger makes a strong case for belonging to a tribe and mental health in some of his books, like "TRIBE: On Homecoming and Belonging" and his TED Talks. There are some very positive things found in belonging to a tribe. This m…
"Racism isn't different to other forms of tribalism. It's simply based on a different arbitrary cause."
Sebastian Junger makes a strong case for belonging to a tribe and mental health in some of his books, like "TRIBE: On Homecoming and Belonging" and his TED Talks. There are some very positive things found in belonging to a tribe. This makes it very difficult for people to renounce because of the negative aspects of tribalism like its relationship to racism.
"There are some very positive things found in belonging to a tribe."
Oh absolutely. We all need a "tribe" in some form or another. I guess my point is just that we can belong to a tribe without hating or fearing or generalising other tribes. That's where a healthy "tribalism" turns into something else.
This is reminding me, tangentially, of the concept of affinity groups in schools and workplaces. I participate in my own at work with a guilty feeling. At what point is my sense of belonging shutting another person out? Is it appropriate to lean into these aspects of my identity at work to the exclusion of others, especially when my minority identity actually privileges me in some way? (for example, I read a stat that lesbian and bi women are paid more on average than straight women)
"I participate in my own at work with a guilty feeling. At what point is my sense of belonging shutting another person out?"
Yeah, this is a tricky one. To me, groups like this should have a clear purpose that isn't easily achieved without them. There's nothing wrong with leaning into certain aspects of one's identity, my question is just; "is it necessary to exclude other identities in order do this?"
It's an open question, I don't think there's a "right" answer. But definitely one to consider.
"Racism isn't different to other forms of tribalism. It's simply based on a different arbitrary cause."
Sebastian Junger makes a strong case for belonging to a tribe and mental health in some of his books, like "TRIBE: On Homecoming and Belonging" and his TED Talks. There are some very positive things found in belonging to a tribe. This makes it very difficult for people to renounce because of the negative aspects of tribalism like its relationship to racism.
"There are some very positive things found in belonging to a tribe."
Oh absolutely. We all need a "tribe" in some form or another. I guess my point is just that we can belong to a tribe without hating or fearing or generalising other tribes. That's where a healthy "tribalism" turns into something else.
This is reminding me, tangentially, of the concept of affinity groups in schools and workplaces. I participate in my own at work with a guilty feeling. At what point is my sense of belonging shutting another person out? Is it appropriate to lean into these aspects of my identity at work to the exclusion of others, especially when my minority identity actually privileges me in some way? (for example, I read a stat that lesbian and bi women are paid more on average than straight women)
"I participate in my own at work with a guilty feeling. At what point is my sense of belonging shutting another person out?"
Yeah, this is a tricky one. To me, groups like this should have a clear purpose that isn't easily achieved without them. There's nothing wrong with leaning into certain aspects of one's identity, my question is just; "is it necessary to exclude other identities in order do this?"
It's an open question, I don't think there's a "right" answer. But definitely one to consider.