Identity is something we all have. It is something we are proud of for the most part. Sometimes our entire lives seem to based on our identity. For some, that can be totally true. Think England's royals. Think being Irish. Think be African American. Think being Native American.
It is ok to identify with a certain group but is that our real identity?
Dorothy West did not think our identity is solely based on who our Mother or Father is and I tend to agree. Our identity is wrapped around numerous things but I think two of the biggies is circumstances and choice!
Circumstances definitely play on how we see ourselves but we do not have to let those circumstances rule us. We can change our circumstances.
Even the royals do! Think Lady Diana...RIP!
So maybe, it comes down to our identity being of choice. We choose to be a certain way or not be a certain way. We choose to let our circumstance of life rule us or we don't. We choose...we choose...we choose and the we identify!
Sometimes, we even choose differently and identify another way.
Yes, I do think it does come down to choice.
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So, how do I identify myself?
At this moment I am:
Woman (hear me roar...lol)
I have many attributes that I identify with but for right now, at this very moment...
I am just me and that is enough! For that alone, I am grateful!
10 comments:
I would have to disagree - in part - I agree circumstances are a choice but one's circumstances is not their Identity. One's Identity is not a choice. For their Identity is who they are deep inside, it is their being that makes up who they are. This is not a choice. Yes they can change some things about themselves if they wish to refine sometimes - such as to be more positive, but even those things are not their true Identity, their being. But, instead part of their personality. Their Identity - is the attribution of yourself (consciously or unconsciously) of the characteristics of your Identity as it is experienced - such as male or female.
We are not who we start out to be because it's life that changes who we really are or could be. Some get better. Some get worse. Some make the wrong choices. Some don't. It's liking who you are now that counts. I like who you are now, and maybe years ago I may not have liked you or liked you even more. Today is today my friend, and I call no one friend likely. :) Have a great weekend.
I once asked my grandmother what nationalities she was. She said she was only one - American! Yeah, she was the one that gave me my Mexican and Swedish roots, but she was only an American. I am just like everyone else here, too - an American mutt!
From my point of view identity is not a choice it just is. The other part of that is that identity is determined by culture and environment..I guess circumstance is somewhere in environment. One can always change there environment but before you get to the age where you can make that choice it too late. You're already who you're gonna be. Thought provoking post. Thanks for sharing. A visiting A to Z er
I think you did not understand what I was saying. I said that somethings we are born with and those things we cannot always change but I do not think they make up our identity as how we see ourselves. Just because I am white does not mean I necessarily mean I identify with all Caucasians. I might actually identify more with Cherokee Nation which is part of my heritage. (Caveat, I am not saying this is true, only by example.)
You are talking biology, I am talking how one feels about themselves as a whole and those things are made up of how we choose.
I am not talking about whether you like me or not. Although, I am glad you do. I am talking about how you see yourself and that is how you identify.
I do not agree. Ones circumstances or environment can be changed even if your circumstance or environment was harsh. There are many a people who have overcomes their circumstances.
Great post! I do think there's a bit of who we are that's nature, but we do choose who we are. Just take two siblings coming from the same household and how very different they are.
Good luck with the Challenge! :)
For me, my ancestors represent my past - the legacies and traditions passed down to me; some of which I will cherish, others I may discard. My own little family is my now - where we get to establish some of our own traditions and make memories to carry with us a lifetime. And all that shapes my future -- all that I carry with me, all that I leave behind: and I all that I hope for. But yes, it's all in the choosing what to highlight - hopefully the best parts! What to learn from - often the hardest parts. And what to let go of. All of it applies whether I am woman, mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend: those are just the various roles I inhabit. No singular one is All of Me.
I love these thought provoking posts and you got some wonderful responses. It is nice to see people debate an idea. Identity is not an easy concept to grasp and sometimes we tend to mix it with personality. I agree with you that just because one might identify with a group it doesn't mean that they take on all the qualities but that is more about generalities versus individuality. Once again,commend you on posting such a thought provoking post and encouraging debate.
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