Eaton- Cultural Identity and Post

Although he is only 50% Italian, my dad tried to act one with the natives when he visited Italy last year, mispronouncing phrases like “Buongiorno.”  While he was confident with his personal identity as an Italian, the locals were not, giving him weird looks.  Martin and Nakayama (2013) consider the relationship identity has with culture and communication somewhat of a bridge, and my dad’s story is an example of the problems that can arise when one’s identity is questioned.  To further understand the connection with identity and communication, Intercultural Communication in Contexts gives three different perspectives.  The social science perspective deems both the self and their relations with a group equally beneficial in the creation of identity.  Cross-cultural perspectives lead to different formations of self-identity: individualized identity, familial identity, or spiritual identity can be formed, depending on the culture involved.  Second, the interpretive perspective reasons that identities are formed from communication and exchanges with others.  In this case, identities can conflict between how people see themselves (avowal process) and how others identify them (ascription process).  Core symbols, such as beliefs shared by cultural group members, are also responsible for identity.  Third, the critical perspective underlines some issues individuals may come across when identifying themselves.  Contextually, issues may arise when individuals feel that they aren’t “one” with the general identity, such as heterosexual.  Individuals may resist the social forces.  Social forces are also always changing their dynamic, such as what it means to be “Russian.”  Individuals can consider themselves part of multiple groups, as well.  People may identify themselves with various identities, including those that are gender-based, sexual-based, racially based, and class-based.  Identities can differ among cultures, and potentially can lead to conflict, like the issues in Syria and the relating United States involvement.

With the current civil war in Syria, many countries and areas have become split with the issue about outside involvement, primarily because of how they identify themselves.  Of course, in Syria alone, the country is split between the regime and the rebels.  Individuals are choosing which side they are on, and fighting (Fisher, 2013).  For the most part, each has different political and religious views as well.  Outside of Syria, there are conflicting identities as well.  While the United Nations may want to intervene, Russia is not allowing that to happen because Russia identifies itself as a trade partner with Syria (Yan, 2013).  Russia supplies arms to the country, and holds a naval building in Syria too. 

In a broader spectrum, the United States is also, in a way, being threatened by Iran if it attempts to strike Syria.  This is because, as Iran’s leader Ali Khamenei said Thursday, the “turmoil in the Middle East” cannot be stopped by outside countries (Botelho, Pearson, 2013).   Here, Iran is identifying itself as one with the rest of the Middle East, an example of regional identity.  Finally, there is a current issue with personal identities.  The group Anonymous, which opposes Internet censorship and control, claims to have the names of some members of the Syrian Electronic Army, which has been hacking multiple accounts recently.  While Anonymous thinks its necessary to reveal the names, the group is also concerned some may be killed because of it (Murphy, 2013).  Overall, there are multiple conflicting identities on different levels that are being taken into account during the Syrian civil war.

After taking note of the various identities that are connected to the Syrian war, it can be understandable that, at times, it is difficult for intercultural communication to move forward, in a sense.  For example, the United States has to work around the United Nations in order to strike Syria because Russia identifies itself as an ally with Syria.  Many countries hope the rebels and the regime will reach an agreement, but it is nearly impossible to see who identifies as what group, let alone who identifies as the rebel’s leader.  It is hard to come to conclusions with multiple identities are at play.  In the midst of the Syrian civil war, I unfortunately think, like the Iran leader Khamenei said, it might just need to work itself out.  It would be ideal if a rebel leader or leaders would step up and identify themselves, but I think the conflict in the Middle East has spiraled downhill so much that it might be too difficult. 

Botelho, G., & Pearson, M. (2013).  Iranian Leader: U.S. will ‘definitely suffer’ if it leads strike on Syria.  CNN.  Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/05/world/meast/syria-civil-war/

Fisher, M.  (2013).  9 Questions About Syria you were too Embarrassed to Ask.  The Washington Post.  Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/29/9-questions-about-syria-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask/

Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T.K. (2013). Intercultural communication in contexts (6th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw Hill. 

Murphy, L. (2013).  Anonymous isn’t ready to publish the identities of the Syrian Electronic           Army-yet.  The Daily Dot.  Retrieved from http://www.dailydot.com/news/anonymous-syrian-electronic-army-names/

Yan, H. (2013).  Syria allies: Why Russia, Iran and China are standing by the regime.  CNN.              Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/29/world/meast/syria-iran-china-russia-supporters/

Here is the link to my  Cultural Identity Video