Hidden Brain: Dropping the Mask

Host: Shankar Vedantam
Guest: Kenji Yoshino, Legal Scholar at New York University
Release Date: March 3, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Dropping the Mask," Hidden Brain explores the intricate ways individuals disguise their true selves to fit into societal norms or achieve personal and professional success. Host Shankar Vedantam engages in a profound conversation with Kenji Yoshino, a renowned legal scholar, to uncover the psychological and social implications of such self-concealment, a concept Yoshino terms "covering."

Understanding Covering

Kenji Yoshino introduces the concept of covering, drawing from Erving Goffman's seminal work on stigma and identity management. Covering involves downplaying or altering aspects of one's identity to align with societal expectations without completely hiding one's true self.

[23:00] Kenji Yoshino: "...individuals who are quite open about the fact that they belong to a stigmatized group, open because they either cannot or will not, you know, hide that fact, nonetheless expend an enormous amount of energy to downplay that identity so that others around them can have greater comfort."

Historical Examples of Covering

1. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR):
   Despite his polio-induced disability, FDR meticulously managed his public image to appear robust and capable. Yoshino explains how FDR's strategies, like only being photographed from the waist up and using a specially designed car, were acts of covering rather than attempts to deceive.

   [04:17] Kenji Yoshino: "Franklin Delano Roosevelt was struck by polio... he was able to minimize or edit his public persona so that his disability was in the background rather than in the foreground of his interactions with others."

2. Margaret Thatcher:
   The former British Prime Minister underwent voice coaching to adopt a more authoritative tone, distancing herself from her blue-collar roots to embody the image of an iron-willed leader.

   [07:28] Kenji Yoshino: "And one of the things that, like, you know, FDR, she did was to carefully, you know, orchestrate her speaking voice."

3. Ben Kingsley:
   Born Krishna Banji, he changed his name to Ben Kingsley to navigate the theatrical world more effectively. This name change exemplifies covering by altering one's identity to fit societal expectations.

   [10:43] Kenji Yoshino: "Ben Kingsley was born Krishna Banji, and he changed his name when he began his theatrical career because he thought that his birth name would limit the roles that he would be able to acquire."

4. Helen Keller:
   Despite being a renowned disability rights advocate, Keller opted for cosmetic changes, such as replacing her eyes with glass ones, to appear more "normal," highlighting the pervasive nature of covering.

   [28:27] Kenji Yoshino: "She later had her eyes replaced with glass eyes... that none of us ever evolve away from the force of these covering demands."

Kenji Yoshino’s Personal Journey

Yoshino shares his own experiences with covering, beginning in boarding school where he concealed his sexual orientation. This journey of self-concealment and eventual acceptance underscored the pervasive impact of societal pressures on personal identity.

[13:33] Kenji Yoshino: "I first realized I was gay... by having a girlfriend... in the mid-80s, and I think that this is unfortunately a very common narrative."

His move to academia further exposed him to the pressures of covering, especially when faced with the decision to conceal his identity to secure tenure.

[20:20] Kenji Yoshino: "...you'll have a lot smoother ride to getting tenure if you are a homosexual professional rather than a professional homosexual."

Research Findings on Covering

Collaborating with Deloitte, Yoshino conducted surveys revealing that covering is a widespread phenomenon affecting diverse demographics, including the seemingly privileged groups. Notably, 61% of respondents reported engaging in covering, with significant portions acknowledging its detrimental effects on their sense of self.

[45:03] Kenji Yoshino: "We found 61% of people overall reported covering. And of that 61%, 60 to 73%, depending on the axis of covering, said that this was somewhat to extremely detrimental to their sense of self."

Moreover, even 45% of straight white men reported instances of covering, primarily related to age, socioeconomic status, mental health, and other non-dominant traits.

[51:37] Kenji Yoshino: "This is one of the most remarkable findings of the Deloitte study, which was that we found that 45% of straight white men reported covering."

Impact on Belonging and Authenticity

Yoshino emphasizes that covering undermines genuine belonging and authenticity. He argues that true inclusion requires individuals to reveal their authentic selves without fearing judgment or exclusion.

[58:21] Kenji Yoshino: "This project is really trying to make sure that people find a pathway to belonging that is based, as I think it has to be, on authenticity."

He introduces two storytelling techniques to promote authenticity:

1. Distinct Storytelling: Sharing significant, personal anecdotes that highlight moments of rejecting covering and embracing authenticity.

   [61:26] Kenji Yoshino: "Distinct storytelling is... stories or anecdotes that just illustrate to people the power of authenticity."

2. Diffuse Storytelling: Incorporating small, everyday revelations that subtly encourage others to embrace their true selves without the pressure of formal narratives.

   [63:08] Kenji Yoshino: "Diffuse storytelling sort of takes a bit of the pressure off... It can really just be this diffuse, very offhanded comment."

Techniques to Uncover True Identities

Yoshino advocates for both distinct and diffuse storytelling as means to foster environments where individuals feel safe to express their authentic selves. By doing so, organizations and communities can mitigate the harmful effects of covering, leading to enhanced commitment and well-being among members.

[65:08] Kenji Yoshino: "Our survey... found that covering demands are hurtful and that they're particularly hurtful when they come from leaders within the organization."

Conclusion

"Dropping the Mask" offers a compelling examination of how societal pressures compel individuals to conceal facets of their identities, often at great personal cost. Through historical examples, personal narratives, and empirical research, Kenji Yoshino elucidates the pervasive nature of covering and its implications for authenticity and belonging. The episode calls for a societal shift towards embracing individual authenticity, thereby fostering genuine inclusion and enhancing collective well-being.

Notable Quotes

• Kenji Yoshino [23:00]:
  "...individuals who are quite open about the fact that they belong to a stigmatized group, open because they either cannot or will not, you know, hide that fact, nonetheless expend an enormous amount of energy to downplay that identity so that others around them can have greater comfort."

• Shankar Vedantam [06:32]:
  "That's exactly right. So, again, he wasn't trying to fool anybody, nor could he have, but what he was trying to do was to soften the impression that this made a difference."

• Kenji Yoshino [25:56]:
  "...if you actually say to somebody, yes, you have to, you know, downplay your obnoxious personality, and I say, well, that's an impingement on my authenticity."

• Kenji Yoshino [58:21]:
  "...we are talking about how to actually achieve belonging... if I say to my community, this is who I truly am, and then the community responds by saying, and you belong as you, that's when I can really trust that sense of belonging."

Support Hidden Brain:
If you have follow-up questions about covering and identity, please record a voice memo and email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org with the subject line "covering."

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