Group Identity: Changing the Outsider's Perspective

41 Pages Posted: 22 Jan 2008 Last revised: 4 Jan 2011

See all articles by Melissa L. Tatum

Melissa L. Tatum

University of Arizona - James E. Rogers College of Law

Abstract

Since the beginning of time, people have used groups to achieve particular purposes and have manipulated group identity to make their task easier. This article, published in the George Mason University Civil Rights Law Journal, explores those efforts, providing both examples of the types of manipulations that occur and an examination of why those efforts are successful. Manipulations of group identity are especially successful when the group in question is a marginalized, politically powerless group. Before the marginalized group can seek meaningful reform or oppose particular legislative efforts, the group must first battle against the manipulation of its identity. The article concludes by providing some strategies for groups to use in trying to change the way they are viewed by outsiders.

Keywords: group rights, civil rights, discrimination

JEL Classification: K40

Suggested Citation

Tatum, Melissa, Group Identity: Changing the Outsider's Perspective. George Mason University Civil Rights Law Journal (CRLJ), Vol. 10, p. 357, 2000, University of Tulsa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2008-12, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1086104

Melissa Tatum (Contact Author)

University of Arizona - James E. Rogers College of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 210176
Tucson, AZ 85721-0176
United States

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