Oppositional identity describes how some members of involuntary minority groups come to define their identity partly in opposition to the dominant culture and its institutions, including school. Within this framework, academic success can be experienced as "acting White"—a betrayal of group belonging—so high-achieving students may be accused by peers of abandoning their community. As a result, some students redirect effort and status-seeking into alternative pursuits, such as sports and music, that are perceived as more consistent with the group's oppositional culture.