Group Identity: Changing the Outsider's Perspective

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.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 41

Keywords: group rights, civil rights, discrimination

JEL Classification: K40

Accepted Paper Series