This last summer I was introduced to the concept of 'master status'. I am no sociologist, but from what I understand of the concept, from all the different identities we possess--brother, sister, christian, parent, student, American, teenager, etc.--there seems to be one that rises to the top in our own view or in the view of others. Which master status rises to the top depends on surroundings and circumstances. For example, if an individual feels that one of their identities is persecuted by the majority, they will make that identity their 'master status.' This process comes about because of the individual and the majority. The majority sees what is different about others, and we try to differentiate ourselves from the majority.
This summer, I experienced this phenomenon in very stark terms. Emerging from almost two years at Brigham Young University where almost everyone is Mormon, I spent a few months in a small, medieval German town with students from all across the world, almost none of whom were religious. I found that all the Americans there knew readily that I was a Mormon as soon as I told them where I came from. My "mormonism" became my master status in their eyes immediately. In fact, "Mormon" became my name. This was mostly just amusing, but also somewhat frustrating because I did not see myself as just "Mormon." My environment at BYU possibly contributed to me trying to differentiate myself and view myself as a student of history, a young adult with a specific personality, etc. I was therefore frustrated when all that I was seen as was a "Mormon" with all my characteristics a priori thrust upon me.
Many observations could be made here about how we interact as human beings in terms of identity and stereotypes, especially in contrasting the way Americans viewed me as opposed to people from the rest of the world who did not know much about "Mormons." They definitely were intrigued by this aspect of my identity and we spoke much of it, but it was different in that their lack of knowledge automatically prevented them from stereotyping and they assumed a more understanding, curious attitude. Likewise, I spent most of my time with my non-American friends because they were also interested in my non-Mormon identities: American, student of History and German, young adult, etc. My one identity did not block out the others.
