CAPS #2 Lindy Rauscher

Cultural Group Histories

            Cultural group history is defined by Martin and Nakayama as a history that can help develop cultural identity within a larger culture or history, but that is often unrecorded (Martin & Nakayama, 125).  Any culture or identity can be included in this definition.  It can include religious, gender, sexual, race, and ethnicity identities; it can include immigrant, Native American, homosexual, disabled, and military veteran cultures.  Sometimes these cultural group histories are recorded, but they are often absent or hidden histories that challenge the grand narrative of a national history (Martin & Nakayama, 134).  Cultural group histories can be difficult to articulate because they have been suppressed in favor of the dominant culture or ideology.

                                       

            Gender identity and gender identity within a cultural group have not always been included in the mainstream history.  Julia T. Wood elaborates on this point by demonstrating that language use is indicative of exclusion by its marginalizing effect (Wood, 5).  If a historical text does not use language that is inclusive of multiple genders, the genders that are not included are assumed to not be important to that history.  Krolokke and Sorensen explain that there are sets of assumptions and stereotypes scholars can introduce to studying this subject that can seriously influence the course of the research (Krolokke & Sorensen, viii).  When studying cultural group history from the perspective of gender, preconceived assumptions dictate our expectations. 

            The work of Wood and Krolokke & Sorensen reinforces the need for self-awareness and sensitivity to intercultural communication experiences.  It is important to be aware of underlying assumptions and omissions in a historic text because those texts inform our communication experiences.  This awareness will help communicators recognize and appreciate alternative histories when they are encountered.  Being self-aware of historic and personal assumptions about a cultural group will help to improve your acceptance of a history and experience that does not match the mainstream.  I will try to be more self-aware, especially because gender assumptions are applied to me and applied by me.

References

Martin, Judith N. and Nakayama, Thomas K. (2010). Intercultural Communication in Contexts.  5^th Edition. McGraw-Hill.

Krolokke, Charlotte and Sorensen, Anne Scott. (2006). Gender Communication Theories and Analyses: From Silence to Performance. Sage Publications.

Wood, Julia T. (2009). Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender and Culture. 9^th Edition. Wadsworth.