Immigration has its rewards, not that I would know. That said, as an innocent bystander, I have learned a couple things. In particular, I feel equipped to tackle the what is identity question.
Here’s the answer as an acronym.
Imaginary
Those random noises that come from your mouth? That house of worship you hang out at? They may seem really important, but they’re made up.
Dangerous
When your identity doesn’t match someone else’s, that’s a reason to hate them—according to people who don’t know this acronym.
Expendable
If identity interferes with or facilitates money and power, it should be disregarded or embraced.
Nonscientific
Go back far enough, and your identity is the same as everyone’s. Starting the story in the middle is arbitrary.
Temporary
Even if you insist on starting in the middle, by rewinding or fast forwarding, your identity will be different, no matter how hard you try.
Imitated
Brainwash your children enough, and they will believe your imaginary stories.
Tribal
Given that you shop at a grocery store and eat at restaurants, it’s safe to ditch the tribe thing at this point.
Yours
As in yours to ignore—if you can.
Feel free to disagree, as I’m sure you will.
6 Responses
I- impression you have of yourself and impression others have of you
D- definition. How you want to define yourself to the world vs how others define you
E- endless possibilities or empty buckets to place people
N- nostalgia. part of identity can be rooted in nostalgia of the past
T- together. Bringing people together based on common interests such as food, sports, hobbies
I- interests. Interests and hobbies shape an identity (See T)
T- tensile strength. Having an identity may provide a strength that allows you to bear great loads and be stretched in many directions.
Y- yoga…If you enjoy yoga this too can be part of your identity 🙂
I think the existential crisis is creating one’s own identity vs having one ascribed to you based on external appearance…
Wow! Your acronym seems to be more uplifting than mine. 🙂
loved it. Identity and tribal mentality are not the same.
Thanks. Very true—many are able to simply enjoy the cultural aspects of their identity without being tribal.
I-dentity starts with I. So it is for one to decide how to shape it. What one is born into and taught are good however one can evolve their identity based on what appeals to them. It is a choice!
Well said!!