My Theory of Race, Gender and Sexuality

 

Gender?  Credit deamtime.com

Frederick Bruce Thomas- Wikipedia

My Theory of Race, Gender and Sexuality

 My sister-in-law objected to my mother-in-law saying that from behind she might be mistaken for a man. My daughter often is, with her short hair and unisex attire.  But does it matter?  The status and definitive attributes of gender seems to be in decline.  Do we really need to be defined by our gender?  It remains a powerful descriptor, and perhaps always will be.  Two children recently refused to work with me, citing my gender as the problem.  A colleague of mine was recently working in a girls school, where the student she met identified as a boy, what's more he had a boyfriend, who was also at the school.  Surely the school needed to redefine itself as co-ed?  

When we note a difference in ethnicity, it appears to be almost obligatory to remark on it.  “I was visited by that nice neighbour of yours;  you know, the black one.” When gender remains unknow, it is an open question that needs an answer.  "Did they have a girl or a boy?"  I'm not sure, does it matter?

Research demonstrates that little children pick up on race and gender as young as three years old.  They are also aware of the status there family occupies in society.  Awareness of race and gender appear to be subliminal.  It is very difficult not to notice race and gender.  With it come a host of social constructions and assumptions.  These are created by the prevailing culture of the time.  Perhaps the detection of difference has an inherent biological function, but it is certainly complicated by the social mire of rank and power. 

In the book ‘The BlackRussian’ by Vladimir Alexandrov, Frederick Thomas, born in 1872, an American second generation freed (black) slave, notes that in Russia he did not appear to experience the racism that the black people experienced in America.  It was a pleasant surprise.  However he also recognised that discrimination towards Jews was prevalent, so was very aware that Russia was no utopia. 

Sexuality is one of those differences that has for time immemorial caused concern, indignation and hatred in most mysterious ways to the majority (but never all) of society.  It is still very dangerous in many countries to be openly homosexual.  Even in the UK, sexuality still creates a stir, and I again put this down to inherent biases relating to biology, rather than ethics.  The thought of homosexual sex make most heterosexual people squirm, (and I guess it does in the opposite way round).  Queen Vitoria famously expressed views that there was nothing wrong with lesbianism because she could not see how women could have sex.  

My theory is that a process goes on it a greater or lesser extent in all of us, as we detect gender, race and to some extent sexuality automatically (ie subliminally before thinking about it.)  Sometimes when early assumptions are challenged, for example when we realise a boy is a girl, there can be a recognisable shift in our thinking in our brain that we can observe.  Likewise if we have 'clocked' someone to be one ethnicity, and we discover they are something different, we can observe the 'recomputing' that goes on in our brain. 

The recompute happens because we have social stereotypes are automatically being fitted to the person, and now must he removed and reappraised. 

If my theory is correct I suggest that the best approach, to ensure that this does not control our behaviour and attitudes, is to first accept that this happens, and then to put it to one side, and take the negative power out of the assumption.

A Nigerian psychiatrist told me once that he sadly assumed all the people he met would be racist, even the black people.  "Is the doctor properly qualified?  What did they learn in 'their' country?  We I be able to understand them?  Should I get a second opinion?"  When people treated him with respect, he was pleasantly surprise.

I try to recognise the assumptions that are coming into my mind.  I do not blame myself for these.  These are swilling around in society.  But my job is to spot them, and ensure that their power is limited.