Summary Of How Labels Like Black And Working Class Shape Your Identity

Being labeled as “black,” “white,” or anything that include positive or negative values can impact a person’s life in the long run. In “How Labels Like Black and Working Class Shape Your Identity,” Adam Alter asserts that language, specifically social labels, can significantly affect, not only individual and group identities, but also their shared destinies. Using quasi-experimental studies, findings indicated that belonging to a specific group or social label can facilitate or hinder a person’s access to diverse opportunities (Alter). Alter argues that social labels can strongly affect self-beliefs, as well as the perceptions and treatment of others; additionally, those that convey negative meanings can have particularly damaging effects on
Elliott denied the brown-eyed students access to privileges (Alter par. 4) that could have improved their self-esteem and ability plus motivation to study. If this is compared to what black or minority students experience in public schools, then it can greatly impact their resources in the future too. Labels that hurt their confidence can make them less willing to continue studies and accept low-income jobs. At the same time, even when disempowered, many would get used to it and probably remain timid throughout their life (Alter par. 4), unless they receive corrective programs and life mentors who can guide them toward success. Another example in real life is when a student is labeled as poorly performing and lumped with others like him. The social label can get stuck in his head and further reduce his motivation to study. Also, when he interacts only with poor performers, he lacks models for high academic performance. Consequently, he may not enjoy studying anymore, drop out in class, and engage in jobs that will result in a low-income status. Mere classroom labels, in turn, can drastically diminish his social, economic, and political