Friday, March 30, 2007
Blog #4: To binary or not to binary- that is a question
In class, we discuss how our realities have been constructed by forces far beyond pur control by politics, social norms and mores, gender roles, decorum, etc. When we fall into these binary constructs, how does that impact our identities? Is it possible to live outside of the binary and be socially accepted? How do we straddle the divide and also stay inwardly true to oursevles?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
25 comments:
When we fall into these binary constructs, for example, politics are identities I believe do not change. The other day I went out on a date and we got into the subject of politics. He wanted to know if I was a democrat or republican. My identity did not change at all when my date said he was a republican just because I am a democrat. I wouldn’t lie and say I was that just because he was. Even if I was in a big group and everyone was a republican I wouldn’t hide behind people just because I am a democrat. I have my own views on the subject and I wouldn’t change my way of thinking just because of someone else.
I believe it is possible to live outside of the binary and be socially accepted. But you will have some people that will not accept you just because you don’t have the same views as them. We live in a very critical and racist world.
We straddle the divide by stating our opinions but respecting our peers’ opinions also. The only way you can stay true to yourself I believe is to respect other peoples’ views.
“Fear the time that the bombing stops while the bombers still live” John Steinbeck wrote this in his book “The Grapes of Wrath”. I believe that this is an accurate way to describe that conflict is essential in our lives. The binary between war and peace is as old as mankind. Whether a person believes in the evolution theory or creationism, conflict is a part of the story. There are things that everyone in our class could agree on and things that most of us would disagree on, but I can’t imagine a world without the conflict of the binary. We all fall naturally into a binary construct when our point of view is not influenced by others, it is when we are forced to make decisions that we must choose whether to do what we feel or what we think is socially accepted. It is possible to live outside the binary and be socially accepted because people don’t affect the lives of others nearly as much as they think. People that consider themselves to be outside the binary seem to believe that if they acted in a more socially accepted manner that most of their problems would be over. This is far from the reality of the matter. Where I worked there were over a thousand employees and we all harassed each other any time the opportunity presented itself. It’s just the way life is, and if a person was upset by it they had to learn to fit in with the crowd, quit, or suffer needlessly. Perhaps a person could straddle the divide and also stay true to themselves but I believe that they would have to limit their contact with other people. Even while writing this I realize that some people consider themselves to be so far outside the social norm, that the harassment they receive is intolerable.
When we find ourselves outside the binary norm, we struggle to fit into society. The "non-norm" people tend to find others that share the same differences that they do. By sharing your life with people the same as you there has been a binary constructed with in this small group that makes the "norm" appear to be outside of the binary. This question makes me think of the upcoming presidential election. The binary construct of American Leadership has always been middle aged or older, white male, family man. What will happen this election? Will the binary society pick a less qualified person to run our county due to race and gender issues? Why is the "norm" so scared to evolve as a society together? What does it take to make a new binary construct? My answer is honesty and open mindless how do we as a society grow together without truly understanding each other?
I don't think that binaries would exist if there wasn't some truth to them. Sometimes people fall into them because they identify with the binary; sometimes people look for something to identify with. I believe it is possible to live in the middle as well. It's where you are comfortable. No matter if you identify in or out of the binary, we will get crap for it.
(sorry, I accidentally hit publish)
So it is important to at least get judged for something we believe in. I think that's how we can stay true to ourselves. If we accept ourselves, we will find a group of people that accept us as well.
As we discussed in class, there is comfort in the binary. By living within the confounds of societal binary constructs, our identities are stabilized, organized, and regulated. It is easier to thrive and gain acceptance by fitting into a category. Nevertheless, it is absolutely possible to live outside the binary, and at times to be socially accepted as well. This acceptance may not be universal, however, what one person is completely accepted, in all regards, on a world wide scale? There is always going to be some person who does not agree with your appearance, beliefs, values, or actions.
In response to Amberk's question of what does it take to make a new binary construct, I think it takes new trends, ideas, phenomenons, and revolutionary people. Societal shifts occur often, regardless of scale. I think in order to remain true to oneself, a person should not alienate themselves completely, in risk of their own mental health, but should do their best to abide by their own beliefs even in the face of adversity. And it is possible for change to occur, just not as quickly as we all might like.
Living in the binary of our society people can find comfort and can remain stabilized within our society. Society pushes us to join a side, either black or white. Being in the grey area or middle of two views is almost unacceptable. Society feels that people need to choose one side or the other to form an identity. Not everyone has the same views on every situation. If people lived outside the binary norm the world would not come to an end, in fact I feel that this is exactly what makes every person unique in their own beliefs.
I think living outside the binary is possible and probably better assists in shaping identities. Like we said in class that a binary is opposite ends of a pole. They are the most concentrated at these ends. Falling completely within one end of a binary would give a person a very strong identity, but limited number of identities. Identifying yourself somewhere in the middle of two binarys gives you characteristics of each identity, I think it would make for a more well rounded identity. You don't have to be just one or the other, it is the mix of different characteristics that makes us unique, makes us ourselves and I think that is being true.
Personally, I truly think that the binary is horribly constricting. People feel the need to fit in for fear of some form of stigma attached to falling outside of the traditional binary. I knew some people here at IUP last year who definately fell outside of the binary when it came to relationships, gender constructs and ideologies. They knew that their way of life was not necessarily for everyone, but they were some of the happiest and coolest people that I had ever met in my life. They fell outside the binary as some of them were transgendered, some were homosexual, some were polyamorous etc. How many stories have we seen on the news about people who were not able to just accept themselves? These are the people that need to be worried about stigma. When we worry about the binary is when we fall victim to it. If we are unable to accept who we are, then we cannot accept who others are either and that is where the problem truly lies. When we are able to accept who we are as people we are able to straddle the divide between and outside the binary and be completely true to who we are as people.
By living our lives within binaries, I believe we are stabilized, regulated, and in order. When we go out of this box, it brings different opinions and chaos. We are all different people in this world, with different religions, political views, physical appearances, etc. There will always be someone who has an opinion on how and why you are the way you are. But there will also hopefully be someone to take your side and understand you for who you are. My sister and I grew up in the same household, yet our religious views and political views are completely opposite. Sometimes I think she has such strong opinions because she wants so badly to be separated from the “norm”. We still get along, even though we both have such strong opinions on issues today. My family is constantly fighting with her because they all agree with one side, while she always chooses to argue the other side. No matter how hard we state facts, she stays true to herself and her personal beliefs, so I do believe it is possible to live outside of the binary, but it may not always be accepted. Living outside of the binary just creates most of the time a negative image on your identity and who you are. An opinion is always formed. There is nothing wrong with this, because everyone is different. We all go through different incidents and phases in life, and it all shapes our identity and who we are. If we don’t accept people who are outside of the binary, how do we know they couldn’t have had a huge impact on our personal identity? We are on this world to help people and learn things from them. Even if we have extremely strong opinions, shouldn’t we at least listen to other sides and see where they are coming from? This is how we discover and are taught new things in life, things we previously knew nothing about.
In class we said the binary is two opposites end of the poles. And as Mike Beal said society feels that people need to choose one side or the other to form identity. I totally agree with him. It seems if you pick the wrong identity, society looks down append you. Not everyone in the world has the same ideas, issues and views on how you view something. And if you have some were in the middle, one side or the other, I feel that how you learn who you are.
When we fall into these binary constructs, I feel that in most cases we do change however in others we do not. I hang out with mostly guys back home, and I dont feel that because I hang out with guys that my identity as a girl changes. This just proves that one can live outside the binary and still be accepted. To stay true to ourselves we have to be comfortable with our identity and don't let these divides change that.
I believe that living outside the binary is entirely possible, but it takes a lot more effort. If people choose to live within confounds of the binary, and force themselves to choose sides, it almost seems as if they are too scared to “think outside the box” and be an individual. People today would rather go along with the crowd, where everything is black or white, where there is go gray area. People like stabilization, it never changes, and people don’t question it; their identity remains stable. If a person decides to go against the norm and not live within the two extreme ends of the binary, society seems to label them a “freak” or say they are rebelling against the world. These people have chosen to take their own stance somewhere within the two extremes of the binary, not completely conforming, and fitting into the nice, neat, safe place, but being an individual. By people choosing not to live within in the binary, they are choosing to be unique, and if more of these people were society today, it may give others a reason to stand up and be an individual as well, and not just go along with what society wants to fit in and be “normal”. No one can explain what “normal” is; the leaders of our country try to create a norm, but if everyone listened to that, this world would be a very boring place. Lastly, by not living within the binary, people can actually think for themselves and choose what they want. We can look at all aspects of the binary and pick and choose what we want to believe in; we can take things we like from the different extremes, and mix them together.
I think that binaries are a double edged sword. I think that if you actually fit into the binaries you are stereotyped and if you don’t fit into them you are looked at as a freak. The way I see it there is no way out. Some people feel secure fitting into them and others just don’t want to be considered part of the masses. I think that it is possible to live outside the binary and be socially accepted today. We all know that many years ago if you didn’t fit into a binary you were not accepted. I think today with people demanding acceptance there is more tolerance. Nothing is going to change without challenges. People that fit outside the binaries may not be totally accepted now but with people gaining more knowledge and becoming more tolerant it will eventually happen. I think that many people straddle the divide and stay true to themselves by having weekend selves and work selves. Many people change their identities depending on the time of day and day of the week. We even discussed this in class. People will be in suits Monday-Friday but when they are out of work Friday afternoon their “true self” comes out. I don’t think people will ever be able to be themselves in the corporate world, whether they fit in the binaries or not. I just think there are business demeanors and social demeanors. I don’t think that they can ever be combined and if they are I don’t think people will be truly happy. People need a release and if they don’t get it because they are constantly the same there will be more identity and binary problems then there are now.
I think ultimately binaries exist because we want them to, even if we preach they shouldn't exist, and should be able to follow our own individuality, etc. If the rebel speaks up against the binary and chooses to live outside the binary to be his own person, others will follow and then that the person who originally left will inevitably begin to create a structure that is appropriate for HIS binary, and those who do not follow it will be outcasted once again. Similar to the end of George Orwell's Animal Farm- the animals broke free of the binary restrictions that the humans forced unto them, but the two ring leaders walked off together on their two legs anyway. To binary or not to binary is an irrelevant question because binaries are all around us, everywhere we turn. And we cannot justly speak out against them because we each took part in creating them whether we knew it or not. It is our innate human instinct to compete, to evolve, to improve ourselves based on the lives of someone else- it is one of the few characteristics that all human beings have in common. Even if we don't want to thrive to be better than average, we take pride in the fact that we are better off than the hobo on the street corner. I don't feel that our binaries are right or wrong, but natural, and it is societies that try to strip their people of creating binaries that is wrong, and a bit oppressive.
The great Howard Zinn can be accredited for the phrase, "you can't stay neutral on a moving train". It's an amazing truth, especially in a world of so many binaries. I think that polarity exists because that's where meaning is found. If there isn't something you believe in strongly enough to advocate for, it's harder to find a purpose or meaning to existence. I guess in choosing sides people have found worth...an identity. My friend just recently did a documentary in which he interviewed college students asking them "how do you identify yourself?" The most popular reply was "a college student". But one only stays in college for a short period of a lifetime, and once they exit they must redefine themselves. Therefore, are our identities only constructed by the social institutions? Are, then, our identities a product of our atmosphere? I think a lot of it has to do with validation. Humans are always searching for validation, for reassurance in their existence. If you can identify yourself with either side of a binary, you are validated by a collective. Think of the phrase "I am..." and all the many ways in which you can complete that sentence. Most of what is said could have a binary, and somewhere in the world someone is that binary.
I feel that people who live out of the binary just have a different view on life. I do not think that it would segregate them to the point of not being socially accepted though. Especially since everyone generally has their own perceptions on life anyway. Every single individual has a slightly different view on things then the person standing next to them. We all see things differently and we all have a different belief system. I personally agree with the people saying that they can not imagine a world without conflict of the binaries though. I feel that no matter what the topic is people with ultimately take opposite positions. To straddle the divide I think we must know ourselves and be stand by our beliefs. Also we must accept the fact that while we may or may not have the right answer, other people may have an entirely different point of view.
Binaries are everywhere and are here to stay. Now I am not very religious, but most people believe in one form of religion or another. From the book of genesis, God create binaries; night and day, good and evil; so people seem to have always been affected by them. So do binaries even have an impact on our identities? Some people do notice binaries and fight them, but then they seem to not fit in socially. It is only human to fight what is normal. Without this our world history would be very boring. Binaries are shape shifters throughout history, ultimately imposing the same thing on people of the world. All binaries will be gradually accepted and then new binaries will be created to replace them.
Binaries are what make your identity. Without binaries you wouldn't have a stand on certain things, or maybe not even a purpose in life, even if you are in the gray of two binaries that still effects who you are. Even if you are on one side of the binary like politics or religion that doesn't mean others on the other side wont accept you. I feel like I have a strong stand on some binaries like religion and politics but most of my friend have completely different beliefs from me. I feel like I get along better with people who have different ideas and binaries then me. Although I may be in the black I still want to learn about the white and understand others views. I find for most situations I am in the gray, and I feel the gray is more in the norm because you are going to be more accepted if you have an open mind and take time to get understand both sides.
When we fall into these binary constructs our identities are impacted in different ways but mostly they are impacted positively because we are accepted by the majority. Our identities are stabilized. I feel it is possible to live outside of the binary today and be socially accepted. Years ago it was not possible to live outside of the binary and be accepted. However, i feel that there is a breaking point. By that i mean that it is possible to live just outside the binary and still be accepted but if you live extremely outside then you are not going to be socially accepted. It's sad but true. Even if you are accepted by individuals you are likely to not be accepted socially. I think we can straddle the divide and stay true to ourselves by being accepting and having knowledgeable reasons for living the way you do. If you are able to defend yourself for your actions and with good reason then you give society something to think about, at least.
I do not believe in a binary world. We cannot quantify everything into polar opposites. There is too much grey area that exists that is not considered when looking at binaries. While binaries are certainly a good start to learning critical theory, a binary world is a human construct because we have a need to make meaning out of the world around us. In the case of binaries it is simplification of more complex ideas. The reality is much more complicated.
I think those who fall into the binary constructs are those individuals that society accepts for following the norms. The minutes someone steps outside of a binary and decides to fall within a middle category, society sees them as an outkast and they have to deal with the ridicule that's comes with being different. I think there will always be a point in our lives where everyone experiences what it is like to be apart of a binary construct, and because every individual is so different, i think everyone will also find themselves riding outside of a binary at least once throughout thier lifetime.
we all fall into a binary, often without thinking about them. They are forces that we cannot control becuase of the level that they are on. Do we need binaries to survive as a social structure? that is a tough question to answer wihtout knwoing what it owuld be like to live without them. For example, boys and girls are a binary, a simple one, but without the social construct of binaries would we know the difference between the two? would we all be consdiered just people?
I feel that binaries are a way for us to separte things, and that even if we said we didnt them they would always exist. Apples and oranges.
I think living in the Binary is a safeguard to be accepted by society. If you choose to live outside of the Binary, you are choosing to be different. Being diffrent results in society not accepted you. Our society feels threaten by diffrent people. They tend to ridicule, stare, and make things harder for those who do not live in the Binary.
Post a Comment