Social Divisions, Identity, and Political Expression

Social Divisions: Not Just Big Countries Like India?

It is not correct to say that social divisions exist only in big countries like India. We can take the example of Belgium. The ethnic composition of this small country is very complex. Of the country’s total population, 59% live in the Flemish region and speak the Dutch language. Another 40% live in the Wallonia region and speak French. The remaining 1% of Belgians speak German. In the capital city, Brussels, 80% of people speak French while 20% are Dutch-speaking.

Multiple Identities in Different Contexts Explained

The statement "We have different identities in different contexts" can be supported by the following facts:

• It is common for people belonging to the same religion to feel that they do not belong to the same community because their caste or sect is different.
• It is also possible for people from different religions to have the same caste and feel close to each other.
• Rich and poor people from the same family often do not keep close relations with each other because they feel they are very different.

Thus, we indeed have different identities in different contexts.

Benefits of Political Expression of Social Divisions

In a democracy, the political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy. This allows various disadvantaged and marginal groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these issues. The expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in them cancelling one another out, thus reducing their overall intensity. This process leads to the strengthening of a democracy.

African-American Athletes' Protest at Mexico Olympics

At the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City, two US African-American athletes, Tommie Smith (gold medal) and John Carlos (bronze medal), used the medal ceremony to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. During the ceremony, while the US national anthem was played, they stood with clenched fists upraised and heads bowed. They also wore black socks and no shoes to represent the poverty prevalent among the Black community. With this gesture, they aimed to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. The black glove and raised clenched fist were meant to symbolize Black Power.