Deep, dark thought of the day:
Is “authenticity” a privilege?
(thread)
Is “authenticity” a privilege?
(thread)
Everyone wants to be authentic. Show their real emotions. Tell people what they really think.
But those with less power or lower status have to spend energy self-monitoring because their well-being depends on what people think of them.
Lower status people smile more often, for example (Ketelaar, 2012). They need to be liked.
Lower status people smile more often, for example (Ketelaar, 2012). They need to be liked.
A successful Black entrepreneur told me he doesn’t feel like he’s allowed to get angry. When someone insults him he has to grit his teeth and smile.
A white entrepreneur might make the same decision, but he’d feel like he had a choice.
A white entrepreneur might make the same decision, but he’d feel like he had a choice.
Women use “diminishers” more often
“I could be wrong, but maybe”
“I was wondering if it might be possible”
We’re trying to show warmth, but what we’re really demonstrating is self-consciousness.
“I could be wrong, but maybe”
“I was wondering if it might be possible”
We’re trying to show warmth, but what we’re really demonstrating is self-consciousness.
Those in power, on the other hand, can say what they want. They can get angry. Or make inappropriate remarks. Share TMI.
We listen to their boring stories and laugh at their dumb jokes.
We listen to their boring stories and laugh at their dumb jokes.
It’s not like privileged people are so impressively authentic. But status determines who gets to speak their mind. Even among elites you find stark differences.
It makes me angry that something so deeply human and personal could be distorted by inequality.
“Be yourself” should be the most basic human right.
“Be yourself” should be the most basic human right.
Curious what you (really) think.
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