Diffusion of the Margins into the Center

Throughout the Enloe reading about those in the center and those in the margins, I continued to wonder at what point does a naive self-existence begin to infringe on the existence of others. With that in mind, although the lives of those in the center may be easier as there is not as much social struggle and turmoil to exist, is their naive and simple life easier and therefore more powerful as believed by Karl Deutsch? 

According to Deutsch, those in the center have more power by not having to learn to be a part of the majority and can be represented without a fight. Conversely, those in the margins hold less power as they need to work to have representation and be acknowledged by those in the center. However, there is a difference between power and understanding. Just because those in the center find themselves with more power, does not mean that they understand their society. I find that the challenge those in the margin face through their double consciousness and having to work to rise in the hierarchy, have a better understanding and ability to relate to a greater majority of people in the world. As spoken by W.E.B DuBois, these individuals in the margin are “born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight.” This second sight it was allows those in the margin to understand life through a multitude of viewpoints. Those that fall into the double consciousness and living within the margins are set for a life with greater difficulty for acceptance, however, their perspective on the world and global issues encompass more. 

It is with this that I feel there is a growing gray area between the power and understanding division between the center and the margins. With the increase of awareness and acknowledgment that those in the margins can achieve in recent years through more representation and protests, I feel there is an overlap between the power believed to be held in the center and the understanding held in the margins. This is allowing power derives from the understanding held by individuals in the margin. The idea of knowledge being power challenges Deutsch’s belief of power deriving from not having to learn. As greater proportions of the margins are represented, the double consciousness is reaching farther than the inherent power and capabilities owned by those in the center.

 I find that a step in the direction of dealing with the multiplicity of double consciousness and further overlapping those in the margin and those in the center can occur through greater awareness of the minorities that surround the majority. In recent years, there has been the acknowledgment of many issues that had previously been pushed away or disguised: race, identity, ethnicity, disability, financial standing, and many other matters that create minorities amongst our society. While many solutions or societal changes have not yet been enacted, bringing understanding to those in the center is what will even out the hierarchy.