In today's society, the concept of visibility is often touted as one of the most important factors for achieving personal growth and success.
What happens when individuals are consistently denied the opportunity to be seen or heard due to their identities? What impact does this have on their sense of self and ability to assert themselves? This essay explores these questions through the lens of invisibility and erasure.
It is crucial to understand that experiences of invisibility can take many forms, such as being ignored, forgotten, or invisible to others because they do not fit into predominant social norms or expectations. These experiences may occur across different aspects of life, including workplaces, educational institutions, political arenas, and even interpersonal interactions.
People who identify as LGBTQIA+, persons of color, women, or individuals with disabilities may face significant challenges in finding their voices and expressing themselves in certain contexts due to systemic oppression and marginalization.
Being constantly excluded from discussions or ignored by those in power can lead to feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. People may question their value and contribution to society, leading them to internalize negative messages about their identity. Consequently, they may become hesitant to speak up or actively participate in situations where they feel unwelcome or unseen. As a result, it becomes difficult for them to validate their own identities and stand up for their rights or needs.
Experiences of erasure involve more than just invisibility - they represent a complete removal or denial of an individual's existence or contributions. Erasure can be intentional or unintentional, affecting both personal and collective histories.
Indigenous communities have faced widespread erasure in terms of cultural practices, languages, beliefs, and knowledge. Similarly, women have been frequently removed from historical narratives, reducing their roles and impact on society. In these instances, the effects on self-assertion are particularly profound since individuals no longer see themselves reflected in the world around them. This further reinforces feelings of isolation and alienation, making it challenging to assert one's identity or validate one's experiences.
Experiences of invisibility and erasure pose significant threats to an individual's sense of self and ability to assert themselves in society. They can lead to feelings of worthlessness, confusion, and helplessness, making it difficult for people to find their voices and stand up for their rights or needs. Therefore, we must work towards creating environments that promote visibility and validation for all individuals, regardless of their identities. By doing so, we can create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, leading to greater overall well-being and success.
How do experiences of invisibility or erasure affect your self-assertion and identity validation?
Invisibility can lead to feelings of inadequacy, lack of confidence and difficulty in asserting oneself. It is often experienced by marginalized communities such as women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities. When these groups are ignored or overlooked, they may feel that their contributions and existence are not valued, which can impact their sense of belonging and esteem.