What concept describes the awareness of being part of two social identities, particularly in the context of race?

Double Consciousness is a concept that refers to the internal struggle and awareness experienced by individuals who belong to two distinct social identities, particularly in the context of race. This idea was developed by sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois to articulate the unique challenges faced by African Americans, who navigate their identity as both Black and American, often experiencing societal perception and self-perception in a contradictory manner.

By being aware of how they are viewed by the dominant culture while simultaneously developing their self-identity, individuals experience a duality that can create tension and conflict. This consciousness can lead to feelings of dislocation or fragmentation as they reconcile their own identity with societal expectations and stereotypes.

The other concepts, such as social stratification, functionalism, and social cohesion, address different aspects of social dynamics. Social stratification relates to the hierarchy and inequalities in society, functionalism explores how social institutions contribute to societal stability, and social cohesion focuses on the bonds that bring a society together. While these concepts are important in sociology, they do not specifically capture the dual identity awareness emphasized in Double Consciousness.