A Western Identity Crisis

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This country was founded by immigrants and is known for its population from a wide array of cultural backgrounds. Living in a westernized society that is so diverse, we are forced to choose an identity for ourselves at one point or another in our lives. Some choose to identify by their outer qualities, while others may identify by their inner qualities. One may identify by their looks, gender, sexuality, political views, or their beliefs. Some may have an identity that is dynamic and ever changing depending on the events faced in life, or some my identify by a single aspect throughout their whole life. Some may even struggle finding an identity due to the countless influence both conscious and unconscious. “In the Borderlands of Chicano Identity,” Saenz shares why it is necessary to find an identity and also presents various difficulties due to our surrounding culture and politics.
Choosing ones identity is complex and multilayered. Choosing a single aspect of one’s life to identify by can be confusing and difficult, but at times a necessity. There are so many ways I could identify myself, whether by my race, gender, or cultural background. For the purpose of government forms, I identify as a Caucasian female, but this doesn’t even begin to identify who I truly am. Identifying yourself solely on the basis of race and gender is somewhat irrational because neither of these aspects truly define who you are. We all have a story of where we came from, our parents came from and their parents. The various aspects that have shaped us into the person we are today, and have given us the different views and dreams that shape our lives.
I am one of six children whom was raised by a single mother in the lower working class. I am the second ...

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... point that it is impossible to live in our society without an identity (75). Whether it is an identity we choose or an unwanted identity chosen for us, having an identity in inescapable.
There will always be inequalities and differences among us, forcing us to choose an identity or have an identity forced upon us. ”The politics of identity cannot be separated from these inequalities. Identity politics in the work place, for all its disturbing problematic, is at least a recognition that we live in a racist society and a demonstration of a willingness to meet and confront that racist society with solutions” (79). Choose who you are, what values you want to live by, what beliefs you want to believe in, and what dreams you want to make reality before an unwanted, false, public identity is forced upon you.

Works Cited

"In the borderlands of Chicano Identity" Saenz

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