People often find themselves
asking the question: Who am I?
This is a difficult question to grasp, as there are many different
components that make up who we are.
Our identities, which are highly dependent on how we view our world,
shape who we are and affect how we behave in our society. There are different approaches to
identity that highlight specific characteristics: Social Science, Interpretive,
and Critical (Martin & Nakayama, 2013). The Social Science approach focuses on identities being created
by self and groups, the Interpretive approach focuses on the creation of
identity by communicating with others, and the Critical approach focuses on
identity shaped through social structures (Martin & Nakayama, 2013). All of these approaches aid in
providing a deeper meaning to the concept of identity.
Nothing so
starkly depicts the differences in American and Russian culture than the
conflict surrounding the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Tensions with Sochi officials and the
rest of the world began mounting in late 2013 when the gay propaganda law was
passed. This law bans the
distribution of gay rights material to minors (CBC News, 2013). Since then, there have been many
outbreaks and attacks targeting gays.
Recently, the Mayor of Sochi made a statement that claimed “there are no
gay people in his town” (CTV News, 2014, para. 1). Many were taken aback by the Mayor’s comments and wish to be
left alone. The statement that was
released depicts the lack of freedom that Russians are facing. This is completely opposite of the First Amendment here in the United States, which grants all citizens the right of free speech. There is an underlying concern about how to keep fans and athletes safe
while attending the Olympics (CBC News, 2013). Many fear that they will be criticized for supporting gay
rights, something that is condemned in Russia. The Canadian Olympic Committee has reassured them “that the
new anti-gay law will not affect Olympic attendees” (CBC News, 2013, para.7). There are socio-cultural identities
that are at play in this conflict.
Sexual identity is the biggest socio-cultural identity to focus on. In Russia, peoples’ sexual identity is
being discriminated against.
Russian culture is very suppressive of sexual identity that does not
align with heteronormativity. Ethnic
identity is also relevant. Many
citizens are sensitive to their ethnic group membership and have trouble
identifying with being Russian because of the political instability that has
occurred in the country since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. These two socio-cultural identities can
inform our understanding of the conflict in Russia.
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| Retrieved from CBC News |
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| Retrieved from CBC News |
Your identity makes you who
you are and not all people will agree with the socio-cultural identities that
you identify with. In order for
intercultural communication to move forward one must recognize that
communication is ever-changing and different cultures have different ways of
expressing themselves and their identities.
CBC News. (2013,
July 26). Should Olympians fear Russia’s
anti-gay laws? Retrieved from
CTV News. (2014,
January 27). No gay? No way! Reaction in
Sochi to the mayor’s comments. Retrieved from
Martin, J.N.,
& Nakayama, T.K. (2013). Intercultural
communication in contexts (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IUwAOVD05s
Since I love the winter Olympics I have also kept up on this controversy and find it really interesting. I do not believe in the law that Russia recently passed or that there has been many attacks on gays because of it.
ReplyDeleteIt creates a really interesting dynamic and difficult position for many people that people from the United States with the first amendment, and people from other countries, are entering a country with these laws.
I believe the Mayor's comment is ridiculous and ignorant. He may have a clear identity of himself but he really doesn't understand that people of his town could have different identities.
Although I do believe in same sex marriage and homosexuality I do believe it is important to respect the culture you are in. That being said I think athletes and fans that attend the Olympics need to respect their laws.This does not mean to hide yourself or your identity, but to respect the identity and culture of Russia.
This will be a very exciting experience and I hope that everyone can respectfully communicate and represent their cultures.
-Kate Nevanen
Great discussion of identity and your current event. Two things to work on moving forward, first make sure you fully develop your application paragraph. Second, integrate the a/v materials into the blog to help create natural transitions between your points.
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