Zantel 11.4.10

Allen provides an in-depth analysis of socialization based on the idea of assimilating newcomers to organizational culture and traditions. I thought this was a great article because it does provide some insight into the processes in which African-American women make sense of their expected roles within the organization as a professional bounded often by stereotypes.

As an African American female scholar, I can relate to much of what is said in this article. Using Black Feminist Standpoint theory, we can also begin to understand socialization in this context by bringing more emphasis to the implicit and explicit influence of stereotypes on socialization and organizational identity. There is a constant flux in identity African American women and other marginalized groups experience as we attempt to assimilate to organizational norms. I would like to see more research on this within organizational communication.

1. I argue the very existence of stereotypes, conscious or unconscious, creates a role different from other newcomers for African American women and other marginalized groups in which to assimilate.

2. In an effort not to prescribe to stereotypical roles within organizations, African American women and other marginalized groups are often in flux in attempts to enact identities that shy away from various stereotypes. There is an added stress of second-guessing and negotiation of the appropriate enactment of an identity within organizations. (see pg. 201, 2nd column)

There’s an instance in the article (page187, 2^nd paragraph) in which she references how often times people assume that “a black woman’s scholarship focuses on race and/or gender. This stereotype probably stems from the notions that people of color are responsible for studying these topics and that we are not qualified to study other disciplines.” I know a several African American scholars who are well versed in this research area, but will not attempt to publish in it for fear of being boxed in. I think we lose valuable research because of it.

a. In what ways as scholars can we begin to embrace scholarship of difference as part of the collective rather than a separate area of study such as cultural studies?

b. I want to study race and gender, but I don’t want to be bound to it. Can you think of ways I can go about this area of research and not be pigeonholed?