Summary

In Chapter 1, “An Introduction: At the Root of Identity,” Steele describes some of the ways humans categorize each other, like race and gender, and hold stereotypes about those groups. Identity contingencies are the ways members of some groups face obstacles that others do not. Unlike physical barriers, like how black families were only allowed to use the public pool on Wednesday when Steele was growing up, identity contingencies are unseen, hanging “in the air” (11). Steele gives the example of a friend and colleague of his who went to college in Chicago in the 70s. As a young black man, he found that people would act afraid or nervous when they saw him. Since his also made him nervous, he would often whistle. He noticed that when he whistled classical music, people acted friendlier. He broke the negative stereotypes they formed looking at him...