Diversity and Identity in Identity Formation and Acknowledgement

Running head: DIVERSITY AND IDENTITY
DIVERSITY AND IDENTITY
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1DIVERSITY AND IDENTITY
There are various markers of diversity which goes in to the formation or shaping, and
subsequent processes of reshaping of identities (Villesèche, Muhr, & Holck, 2018). These
markers often leads to the formulation certain structured stereotypes based on dominant
socio-cultural features, which prevents a nuanced approach towards identity formation or
acknowledgement of the same. This gives rise to post-structuralist discourses of identity
formation by acknowledging the diversities, much in line with the post-colonial ideas of ‘self’
and the ‘other’.
The progress of any community or organization depends on the how it treats this
diversity (Carroll, Ford & Taylor, 2015). The inclusion and empowerment of Maori in the
political environment of New Zealand, and its subsequent cultural impacts is a problematic
area subject to much debates for over a period of time. While on one hand the their ability to
do justice with the legislative power is a questionable issue, on the other hand, depriving
them a chance to climb the socio-political ladder amounts to social inequality. The latter
would lead to cultural antagonisms, whereas the former to a unification of the cultural codes,
whereby the originality and uniqueness of both may be hampered.
Social Identity Theory (SIT) recognizes certain structured areas of commonality
based on which the diverse individuals or groups are categorized (Holck, Muhr & Villesèche,
2016). The dominant areas of demarcation in this regard are race, gender, class, ethnicity and
the like. It breeds identity formation based on certain strict grounds of inclusion and
exclusion.
Conversely, the post-structuralist discourse rejects such strict notions and
emphasizes upon subjectivity rather than identity formation. Going by the propositions of the
famous philosopher Michel Foucault, the very idea of identity formation stands on power
politics through creation of stereotypes (Holck, Muhr & Villesèche, 2016). The post-
structuralist perspective focuses on subjectivity, where the one’s perception of oneself and of