Critical Thinking Choice

I recognize that the text brings out gender as being a key factor in identity and I truly appreciate Queen Latifa's stand on how women are treated and how we allow someone to treat us. I get that same feeling from parent's at our childcare center that treat us like we are teenage babysitters, instead of the people that are raising up the next generation.  We have taken a stand that our parents will not disrespect our staff and that a parent's behavior toward the staff can be a reason that we would disenroll their child.

Some of the choices were; race, age, gender, job or vocation, hobby, family role, religion, political views and sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and culture.  I may still be missing one or two.  So I do believe that all of these can be "Identity Markers" - They are, to some extent how we are defined by others as well as how define ourselves. Race, culture and ethnicity as an identity marker can divide us into groups.  Most of these markers are distinguishable visually, but I can see how race and ethnicity can define us quickly. I am sure that it can still have some impact on our social grouping. 

Age is definitely an Identity Marker; we see how groups’ peel off all the time based on age.  We usually do not share the same view, life experiences or tastes. We also don't have the same responsibilities. In the Overachievers, we learn about "Julie" working so hard, just to get into a great college and that was her dream.  In the reading, Alpha male; we hear about men and being strong and fighting their way to the top and about women who fight their way to the top, but listen to others on the way up. So we also see how gender falls into place as a marker and because it is a visual marker, it is instantaneous. It is another way that we divide ourselves into groups.  Society as a whole tends to view men as stronger and women as emotional.  Those social preconceptions help to use it to define us. Our jobs define us, usually more so for success evaluation.  If I tell you that I am an Early Childhood Program Director, you might think more of me that if I say that I work in Child Care.  I 'm not sure how hobbies can define identity unless you think about the skydiver's, racecar drivers or something else physical and thrill seeking, that just tells me that you're crazy. Family roles define us by who else we are responsible for.  As a mother, I have trained children to become intelligent, productive citizens and because of that, at least one of my children serves to provide freedom for our country every day. In our reading about Baba and Daddy Gus, The reading from Bell Hooks, We learn about the family roles of the grandparents and how strong those roles were Baba's as outspoken and harsh and Daddy Gus' as reserved and loving.  We also hear about how Bell's mother and Aunts didn't agree with their mother, but didn't mess with her either. Religion, to me, is the most important Identity Marker. For without a belief that I am a child of God, I would have or be nothing. I hold a very personal responsibility in serving people and raising my children to honor God and others. Political views and sexual orientation rank very low, not only on my list, but on most people's lists (in our class).  Whether I'm republican or married to a man, seems to bother no one that I run with except my husband.

"Where you are from is a large part of who you are. Where you grow up can have an immeasurable impact on who you are."  Amanda Vandenbosch

Hmmmm, I'm not sure that I'm buyin' this, Amanda. I grew up in the Air Force.

I was born in Illinois, I got stitches in Georgia, I became a big sister in Kansas, learned to play the clarinet in California and graduated from High School and College in Florida. Is where I'm from bigger than the events of my life? Does it really matter where I got stitches or a baby brother or got my first clarinet?  Where I was is just geography. My friends from High School are all over the world. My parents have passed away, what does Tampa hold? Memories of Tampa or memories of people?

Thank you for making me think.  It was a nice stroll down memory lane.

Debbie

 "An identity marker is any obvious feature a person has that other people use to generalize opinions about them." Connor Blikre

Connor,

Do you think that Identity markers are only on the outside? Do you have any thoughts about how religion, politics or sexual orientation define our identity?

You wouldn't know it to look at me, but I play the acoustic guitar and bass, I'm quite talented.  Music is a big part of my identity especially as it applies to being active with my church's worship ministry. This leads to a vital part of my identity as a Child of God.

Let me know what you think.

Debbie