If I’m going to study representation and identity, it would do well to delve into racial identity development. There are three core development models.
Cross – POC Identity Model (Originally for black poc [1971] but can be applied to non-black poc. [1991])
Helms – White Identity Model
Poston – Biracial/Multiracial Identity Model
(Lecture by Rashida Love from TESC’s First Peoples Multicultural Advising Services)
William E. Cross Jr (ph.D) – POC Identity Model [1991]
Stage 1: Pre-Encounter
Characterized by individuals identifying primarily with European American mainstream culture and rejecting their own culture.
Possible Characteristics:
- the individual does not “see” race
- follows mainstream ideology
- does not recognize oppression in other groups
- rejects other poc who do not try to assimilate
- does not recognize internalized racism
Stage 2: Encounter
Takes place when an event (or several) that forces the individual to acknowledge the impact of racism in one’s life. The individual is forced to focus on their identity as a member of a group targeted by racism.
Possible Characteristics:
- senses acts of discrimination
- starts to acknowledge the impact of racism
- not ready to be proactive
- notices “code-switching” (use of mixed jargon, dialects, and languages)
- may feel “lost”
Stage 3: Immersion/Emersion
Individuals immerse themselves in their own culture (stereotypically) and reject whiteness. During emersion, the individual engages in deeper learning about their culture and history and reevaluates their own identity.
Possible Characteristics:
- may feel the need to become the “super” brown person.
- use their own lens to mirror everyone else
- may reject other poc who are “not on their level”
- may reject the dominant group
- want to “soak in” everything about their culture
Stage 4: Internalization
The internalized individual is willing to establish meaningful relationships with whites who acknowledge and are respectful of their self-definition. The individual is also ready to build coalitions with members of other oppressed groups.
Possible Characteristics:
- comfortable creating coalitions
- starts to see themselves as part of the movement
- realizes racism is systematic
- strategically chooses battles
- values self-worth
Stage 5: Internalization-Commitment
The individual has become more objective and is able to translate their personal feelings about their racial identity into a sustained commitment to the betterment of their community in our larger society.
Possible Characteristics:
- acceptance of allies
- recognizing/demonstrating commitment to addressing human “isms”
- selectively is willing to assist in teaching agents about anti-oppression
WS Carlos Poston – Biracial Identity Model 1990
Stage 1: Personal Identity
The individual is not aware of their mixed heritage.
Possible Characteristics:
- individual tends to pass for one or the other
- they are typically treated how you appear in society
Stage 2: Choice of Group Categorization
As a result of societal influences, the individual feels pressured to choose one racial identity over another.
Possible Characteristics:
- individual may feel conflicted about choosing one parent over another
- begins to realize that people are treated differently based on skin color
Stage 3: Enmeshment/Denial
The individual feels guilty/disloyal by choosing one group over another, subsequently denying any differences in identifying with both racial groups.
Possible Characteristics:
- “We’re all just human.”
- “I don’t really see color.”
Stage 4: Appreciation
Individuals identifying as one group begin to appreciate the other group.
Possible Characteristics:
- begins to learn about the other parent’s culture
- begins to reconcile the complexity of their identity
Stage 5: Integration
The individual may still identify with one group but appreciates the integration of their multiple racial identities.
Possible Characteristics:
- appreciates and is proud of their racial background
- can acknowledge and address the complexity of their privilege (or lack of privilege) status
Side Notes
- based on what is true for most people most of the time
- stages of racial identity may vary from person to person
- stages are not linear
- we may skip stages in accordance to our environment/situation
- stages have no good or bad connotations