Voluntary shape-shifting differs fundamentally from being assigned insignificance

Evidence

The Elemenos are “a shifting people constantly changing their form, color, [and] pattern, in a quest for invisibility” (Senna, 1988:7). Indeed, “a quest for invisibility” and being assigned insignificance are two different realities. — David Theo Goldberg, John Solomos, A Companion to Racial and Ethnic Studies, 2472

Categorization

• XREF: The Elemenos’ voluntary shape-shifting vs. imposed margininalization echoes themes in The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Ways of Seeing about the difference between chosen and imposed identity.
• SEED: Article angle: the ethical difference between camouflage as survival strategy and camouflage as denial — when passing is chosen versus assigned.