Racial Identity Model
According to Evans et al. (2010), Omi and Winant (2004) defines race “‘as unstable’ and ‘decentered’” (p.254). However, an individual’s racial identity is a sense of belonging to a community of people who share a similar, specific heritage.
Atkinson, Morten, and Sue’s Racial and Cultural Identity Development: Five Stage Model (1979,1989, 1993, 1998):
Served as foundation for the variety of racial and ethnic identity development models to follow. * Conformity * One identifies with white culture, learns and assumer stereotypes and has no inkling to identify or learn about their own racial or ethnic heritage. * Dissonance * Encounter is the catalyst for one to question white culture and begin an interest in one’s own racial or ethnic group * Resistance and Immersion * Individual withdrawals from white culture to delve into his or her own racial or ethnic exploration in the effort to define a new identity. * Introspection * Individual actively seeks to integrate the redefined identity into the dominant culture without compromising aspects of his or her own racial or ethnic identity * Synergistic Articulation and Awareness * Optimum identity; Individual is able to identify as he or she wishes, appreciate other cultures including the dominant culture and balance all aspects of his or her heritage. * Atkinson et al.’s model served to be the primary model of all of the racial identity theories. The model conceptualizes the basic progressions an individual goes through when defining his or her racial identity. Although there are many models that have followed this premier, student affairs professionals can still facilitate conversations about race through this model, especially when a group is compromised of mixed races.
The model that most resonate with me is the Helms’ White Racial Identity Development Model. I’m African American, but this model is quite universal and most of the stages relates to some
Atkinson, Morten, and Sue’s Racial and Cultural Identity Development: Five Stage Model (1979,1989, 1993, 1998):
Served as foundation for the variety of racial and ethnic identity development models to follow. * Conformity * One identifies with white culture, learns and assumer stereotypes and has no inkling to identify or learn about their own racial or ethnic heritage. * Dissonance * Encounter is the catalyst for one to question white culture and begin an interest in one’s own racial or ethnic group * Resistance and Immersion * Individual withdrawals from white culture to delve into his or her own racial or ethnic exploration in the effort to define a new identity. * Introspection * Individual actively seeks to integrate the redefined identity into the dominant culture without compromising aspects of his or her own racial or ethnic identity * Synergistic Articulation and Awareness * Optimum identity; Individual is able to identify as he or she wishes, appreciate other cultures including the dominant culture and balance all aspects of his or her heritage. * Atkinson et al.’s model served to be the primary model of all of the racial identity theories. The model conceptualizes the basic progressions an individual goes through when defining his or her racial identity. Although there are many models that have followed this premier, student affairs professionals can still facilitate conversations about race through this model, especially when a group is compromised of mixed races.
The model that most resonate with me is the Helms’ White Racial Identity Development Model. I’m African American, but this model is quite universal and most of the stages relates to some
References: Helm’e s White Racial Identity Development Model Two Phases: Abandonment of Racism & Defining a Non-Racist Identity .(1998). Retreved: http://edweb.csus.edu/edc/class-downloads/senna/edc171_white_id.pdf