exclusion and inclusion

I find this whole issue of inclusion and exclusion very interesting. As Stoler notes, in most scenarios, “class, gender, and cultural markers deny and designate exclusionary practices at the same time”(521) and that none of these categories “is privileged at any moment”(521). Stoler goes on to elaborate the complexities involved with these categories and how they carried slightly different meanings in different situations.
However, what about the idea of self- exclusion or inclusion? Is inclusion and exclusion to a particular group only defined and sanctioned by the ones in authority, or can it be discussed from a more personal, individualistic level? For instance, in Burmese Days, we see Flory othering his own people, constantly referring to his white people as “Them”, with an obvious dislike towards them. On the other hand, we see Dr. Veraswami getting agitated when Flory criticizes his own white club members. Hence, while Flory excludes himself form the white community, in his attitude towards them, the Doctor includes and associates himself with the white community, like mimic man. Perhaps then it is this sense of inclusion and exclusion that is far more strong and important, for it defeats any categories set out by the larger authority. Yet, the question really is, even while an individual can include or exclude himself from HIS group or community in thought, can he ever be freed from his larger community that defines him? Can he ever be free form its expectations and demands of him? Orwell leaves this open- he criticizes neither the Doctor nor Flory, which seems to suggest that both are right in wanting what they want, and both are also perhaps stuck in a sort of liminal, inevitable position, somewhere in between inclusion and exclusion- which perhaps is the colonial experience for both the colonizer and colonized.

(300 words)