Kenji Yoshino’s article is about a concept called “covering”. Covering can be used to describe the action of changing or hiding who you are in order to fit in to society. It is in fact a form of assimilation which has unfortunately, become a very big issue in the United States. People from other cultures today struggle with feeling the need to cover up parts of their identities by “acting white”. This results in them changing their names or even acting differently because they feel like it would benefit them either socially, professionally or economically. Yoshino also explains how being a “gay Asian-American” he has learned that “covering” can be applied to any minority groups. This article also mentions theorist D.W Winnicot who talks presents the idea that within each person is a “True Self” and a “Fake Self”. Your “True Self” is the person that you are and what to be. Your False Self can be associated with assimilation and it is the people pleasing version of yourself. In Yoshino’s case his True Self was his gay self but, his False Self protected him until it was safe for the True Self to come out. This article also mentions how politics and civil rights are intertwined with covering. In conclusion, covering is something that needs to be correctly handle because it could cause a severe and painful identity crisis for many people.
“Your “True Self” is the person that you are and what to be. Your False Self can be associated with assimilation and it is the people pleasing version of yourself.”
This a excellent break down of the true and false selves. Do you think most people let their false selves dominate the majority of their lives?
Quote: People from other cultures today struggle with feeling the need to cover up parts of their identities by “acting white”.
Comment: It is still shocking that people have to hide their true self in order to fit into society, and it isn’t safe to open up some of the time.
Question: How do poeple know when it is safe to open up about their true self?