2.1 What is Identity?
What is Identity?
Websters II New College Dictionary defines identity as:
The collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing or person is definitively recognized or known. The set of behavioral or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group.
Think about how a person’s different identity categories might create sameness as well as uniqueness.
Our identity consists of the various characteristics we use to categorize and define ourselves and the various characteristics that are constructed by those around us. Sometimes people only think of identity as those visible characteristics of a person, but sometimes our identity characteristics are invisible. Read the following identity characteristics list:
Gender
Ethnicity
Race
Religion
Socioeconomic status
Language
Marital/relationship status
Parent or childless
Family size and composition
Sexual orientation
Education
Career
Think about which of these characteristics are visible, and which are invisible?
Activity
Now, let’s spend some time thinking about our own identities.
The following activity will take you through a series of statements about your identity.
Step 1—Create a two-column chart like the one below on a sheet of paper.
Step 2—For each statement, offer one to three different endings. For example, if the statement begins with “I am,” you can complete the sentence by saying a teacher, happy, a runner.
When completed reflect on the following questions. This can be an internal or written reflection.
Were you surprised by any of your answers?
How do these statements help you to better understand who you are as a person?
What are the visible characteristics of your identity?
What are the invisible characteristics?
References
Social justice Standards: Unpacking identity. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.learningforjustice.org/professional-development/social-justice-standards-unpacking-identity
Next: 2.2 How is identity developed?
Back: Unit 2: Valuing and Validating Your Students’ Cultural Identities