The Importance Of Identity

What identity means to me is how a person or thing describes itself or is described. A person’s identity is based on their personality and who they are as a person. If a person is kind to other people and helps others this shows the person is caring so one of the person’s identity is that he/she is caring. People might identify themselves by saying that their compassionate, courageous, easygoing, determined, sensitive or even that their independent . Three words that identify me are that I am venturesome, ambitious, and athletic.

In her essay, "Are We Worried About Storm's Identity or Our own?" Patricia J. Williams asks the philosophical question, "Are we worried about Storm's identity or our own?" Her argument implies that we worry about our own identity as she describes her analytical process, a personal narration from which she derives her analytical thoughts, as well as an analogy. Williams' writing thoughts are effectively expressed in her essay and consequently, the philosophical question, "are we worried about Storm's identity or our own?"

Once again, we see that identity can be both politically and culturally constructed by the dominant paradigm. Language (as channeled through mass media and politics) becomes the fulcrum on which the social conscious sways. This is the notion of ‘framing’, the construction of a phenomenon facilitated by media sources, political or social movement, or external actors and organisations. ‘Participation in a language community influences an individual's perception of the meanings attributed to words or phrases.’ (Lakoff, 2010). Group identities, therefore, emerge from dialogue at the centre, whose grasp on reality seldom include knowledge and awareness of those who live in the margins. As a consequence, collective identities lack wholeness, lack a wider analysis that encompasses the variety of human experience. It is generally the social ‘elite’ that dictates and monitors public discourse. However, as Bauman (2013) states, it is fallacious to assume that the ‘differentiation of social positions, capacities, entitlements and rewards reflects the differences …in the contribution of its members to society.”

Identity is a state of mind in which someone recognizes/identifies their character traits that leads to finding out who they are and what they do and not that of someone else. In other words it's basically who you are and what you define yourself as being. The theme of identity is often expressed in books/novels or basically any other piece of literature so that the reader can intrigue themselves and relate to the characters and their emotions. It's useful in helping readers understand that a person's state of mind is full of arduous thoughts about who they are and what they want to be. People can try to modify their identity as much as they want but that can never change. The theme of identity is a very strenuous topic to understand

Philosophers from ancient Greece and Rome to modern scholars have contemplated what defines one’s identity. Everyone is a product of both their heredity and environment, and this is demonstrated in modern texts and podcasts. Individuals have limited control on their environment, actions of others, and genetics; however, memories and experiences influences how people behave and act.

One of the most powerful components of an identity is a shared history - shared experiences as well, or shared trauma. Historical events, periods of time, wars, and traumas all have the power not only to shape someone’s identity, but to help them identify with others who have experienced the same thing. While I would not argue that there is any component of identity that is more significant than the others (language, religion, geography, et. al.), I would say that a shared history or shared trauma can be one of the most impactful. In a way, these experiences have the power to change an identity forever. We can find examples of this across history, but one of the most notable is in the case of Ukraine. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in

The identity of one’s self, as well as the curriculum they were exposed to in school can highly have an effect on the student as they choose to advance their education. Which is why I will be talking about how one’s identity is impacted by the curriculum circumstances one is brought upon. Specifically, both Jean Anyon, and James Paul Gee speak of different factors that can have an impact on the student. Gee mentions identity kit, and enculturation, while Anyon mentions the different curriculum knowledge taught upon different social classes.

In the novel Americanah written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, it can be agreed that the author has used characters such as Ifemelu and Obinze and the issues that they face throughout their lives in order to discuss certain situations that society faces. Situations that affect ones relationships and identity in terms of how you see yourself as a person with the status that society has given you.

What is identity? When someone speaks of identity one might think of your action, habits, character, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or gender. However, when I think of identity, I think of where you come from and the things you learn that shape you into the person that you are today. I think identity is a collection of memories and interactions that we share with the people we encounter in our lifetime. I also believe your identity is something you develop about yourself that evolves over the course of your life. My family plays a big part in the person I am today. My great-grandmother was the woman who practically raised me. "She is without a doubt one of the most influential people in my life;" she taught me many life lessons at

What is a personal identity, and how does one go by gaining one? This is a question that has been asked and debated for centuries by many philosophers who at one time in their life asked themselves, who am I? Personal identity is the personal “qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person different from others (Merriam-Webster)”. Many people think personal identity comes from a specific pivotal moment in your life where others, feel that you receive personal identity at conception. Yet some believe that you get it based off of the life experiences that you have. It is true to an extant that you have an identity at birth, although you gain more of a semi-permanent identity in time after you have learned through

beliefs. Sober uses the example of lightning. He points out that according to the Greeks,

McCarthy, Sarah J., and Elizabeth Birr Moje. 2002. "Identity Matters." Reading Research Quarterly 37 (2): 228–238.

It's simple. We don't understand it because we don't want to. We only want to grab onto short lived ecstasies for they are strongly desired by all people. Thus, attainment of these will somehow add an armour of superiority to that person. It brings only temporary happiness, and that too in things that are silly. Imagine a kid breaking the neck of a doll and then being filled with happiness. Maybe its something we simply can not help. Since emotionally dependent infants too display this tendency.

Identity not only helped me define who I am, but the concept of identity helped me construct my perception of myself. Confidence is a trait I sometimes lacked throughout my lifetime. Confidence is hard to acquire living in such a competitive, evolving world. Everything in life is a competition. My grades, personality, and confidence all contribute to who I am.

Identity refers to structured sense of self, which manipulates itself in threads of life (Burr, 2015). Figure 1 of Tūrangawaewae shows individuals identity can be classified under our age, our gender (male or female), the values and beliefs we share (religious or non- religious), the experiences ( good or bad), the people we surround ourselves with (friends and family), also not limited to, from our genetic inheritance (ancestors or parents). However, identity threads are not pre inherited but are pre-constructed idea influenced by social experiences (Kahu, 2015). I am a woman, 21 years of age, Christian by faith, Fijian Indian by ethnicity. I use mind set of goals to convey through my identity. For example, excelling