Importance of Identity

Lexi Vogel

2/14/16

ENGW 1100

Professor Young

Importance of Identity

            “Who am I? I don’t know who I am anymore,” the young boy, Sam, cried as he laid in bed, depressed and unsure of who he has become. Tiny water droplets trickled down his face as his body trembled. Too many emotions were bottled up inside Sam’s mind and it all exploded all at once. He could no longer handle situations as he would normally handle them and he was starting to slip into a dark place that he didn’t want to. Each day was more tragic for him then the next day; he didn’t know who he had become. These depressed emotions were overpowering him and this wasn’t the guy he had used to be. The guy Sam used to be was Sam’s true identity. However, the person Sam is now is also part of Sam’s identity.

            Identity is the concept one develops about themselves that evolves over time. Sometimes identity is something that is uncontrollable, just like Sam’s. Identity is demonstrated through clothing, language, attitude, how people interact with each other. In other words, identity could be how someone would stereotypically describe themselves. Therefore, if someone doesn’t know who they are or how to describe themselves, they would have a loss of identity. It takes people a while to find a sense of self and identity; people wrestle with identity for a while because of the struggles it can cause. The concept of identity is so complex because many people don’t understand who they are.

            To continue, identity is so important because it helps people discover who they are. Identity is a realization of self and it is understanding who we are, our strengths, and our flaws. The importance of identity is so significant because if we never find our true selves we can’t experience life as a whole. “You can’t love someone until you love yourself” (Unknown). How can someone experience life, love and happiness without the experience of loving and understanding themselves? Identity is so essential to experience the best things in one’s life.

            Furthermore, my identity is important to my life experiences because it has helped me in my future. I have realized who I am as an individual. My strengths and weaknesses have helped me grow as a person. For example, I discovered that I am extremely sensitive. I know that is part of who I am and my identity. For the future, I walk on thin ice when it comes to situation that I know can lead to sensitivity. I use my flaws to my advantage and as a warning so I don’t react to certain things in a sensitive way. My weaknesses and identity has helped me as a person.

            Another person that comes to mind whose identity helped them as a person is Anzaldua from the story, “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzaldua. In “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”, Anzaldua discusses her thoughts on cultural problems for Mexican immigrants. She compares the languages between English, Spanish, and few variations. Anzaldua mentions that language is a big part of someone’s identity and who they are. “I am my language.” (82) Language is part of culture and culture is what defines a person most.

            In conclusion, the concept of identity is idea a person creates for themselves over time. Sam’s identity is still something he is unsure about but his new struggles are still a part of his identity because identity is something that evolves. As for myself, my identity includes multiple strengths and weaknesses that have helped me grow, struggle, and change as an individual. Lastly, Anzaldua’s identity is her Spanish heritage and language. She has a strong belief that her language is what defines her and her culture makes up her identity. To conclude, identity is a part of who we are and how we live.