Phenomenological Sociology of Erasure

Marginalization Involving Untypificaiton

Abstract

In traditional views of discrimination or exclusion, it is usually taken for granted that the object of marginalization is differentiated from the majority group. However, some people are marginalized or made invisible in a way that does not differentiate them. This paper conceptualizes such marginalization as “erasure,” and theoretically considers the erasure through a reading of discrimination studies in phenomenological sociology as well as Alfred Schutz`s text.

One of the pioneering discussions on this topic is Judith Butler` s theory of “foreclosure,” which differs from overt prohibition. However, Butlerʼs theory is about sexuality that is socially differentiated as an object of disgust, and thus, fails to capture the erasure conceptualized in this paper. Therefore, this paper focuses on phenomenological sociology that theorizes processes of generating/non-generating meaning or type.

First, referring to Schutzʼ account of “untypified,” this paper defines erasure as “marginalization involving untypification. ”Next, through a re-reading of Schutzʼs text about “the idealization of the congruence of relevance systems” and “topic disappearing,” this paper discusses the problem of relevance which maintains erasure. Then, this paper explains that erasure causes a“denial of subjective meaning-world” and indirect marginalization. Finally, this paper briefly discusses situations in which erasure may be reconsidered.