Paradox of Cultural Dexterity

Racial psychologists believe that the problem with double jeopardy is the intricately woven complexity of circumstances, which influence human thought and emotion. A few race psychologists speculate that the problem with researchers and double jeopardy refers to racial-ethnic minorities expressing their relationship as a “paradox of cultural dexterity.” In order for a paradox to exist, society must consistently be motivated in a direction contrary to how events should happen yet consistent with what is right, practical, or possible—an intriguing duality between value and social systems—otherwise a cultural paradox function. First, cultural dexterity is the ability of a people to function outside social roles, family norms, and community, collectively. Furthermore, it is the power of social customs, organizations, or achievements from a particular culture, group, or people to persuade or influence governments, institutions, and agencies, affecting reform in their policies. That is, cultural dexterity shows the level of skills a society has to effect change concerning public affairs, especially activities that are sensible and wise in the circumstances. Cultural dexterity was well documented after the gay community, expressing dissent, forced Rap star and Hip-Hop recording artist, Marshall Mathers (Eminem) to stop producing songs with inflammatory language tense on public radio, haltering his career for a period of years. Activists and gender equality groups are two such measures of cultural dexterity.

A cultural paradox exists in the contexts of paternalism—a policy restricting freedoms and responsibilities of conquered people or dependents in their supposed best interest rather than letting them achieve status as independents—and pluralism, which is a function of multicultural societies. For instance, African Americans who vote republican would put themselves in double jeopardy of losing respect with Euro-Americans and minorities, many of whom see Black morality as the marker for disenfranchisement. Although they may gain in status by seeking higher social standing with people of the majority culture, conventional wisdom dictates that a Black republican can attain no position others are inclined to respect. In the same sense, racial groups appear to have a problem with treating African Americans justly who advocated holding conservative values understanding the unanimous position of segregation held by republicans since 1967. Finding acceptance in mainstream culture will, in fact, doubly jeopardize any African American who so chooses to achieve status through a position of republicanism. But, being republican has always been an influence in the historical development of African Americans into higher social status.