Blog Post 2

Natasha Benedetti

In Communication: A Critical/Cultural Introduction, Warren and Fasset(2015) state in chapter 6 that, "identity is a compilation of one's experiences, as influenced by the social, political, and cultural factors that frame and mark those experiences"(p. 99) Each person's identity is different. Identities can vary drastically between person to person, or just as easily can be very similar. Many different variables contribute to our identity and I will cover some throughout this blog post.
Identity is a very broad topic to discuss because there are so many factors that go along with identity and it can take lots of turns.  Identity is very complex because of the many components or sections that go into person. Things that can make up a person's identity is their age, gender, race, profession, etc. A word that really ties this idea together is, intersectionality. Intersectionality is exactly as it sounds, when all things that make up a person intersect to make you, who you are. Points of intersections are positionalities. To put this simply is, "where you stand in elements of difference." Picture a Mexican woman who highly educated, heterosexual, and non disabled. In some positions she is part of a minority, like by being Mexican and a woman, but in other positions she falls along the majority (in the USA).
An annoying factor that goes with many things in life are stereotypes. Even though that Mexican woman may be highly educated, just because one or even a couple of the identifying parts of her life fall into the category of a minority people may be quick to assume that she isn't just because of her race or even her gender. Stereotyping is inevitable but everyone should control their snap judgements because people can surprise you.
I think identity and the parts that make up identity are very interesting. It is exciting to meet people with similar paths in life but also intriguing to meet people who are much different than you so we can continue to learn and grow. I think that it is important to try and understand someone and their identity before coming to conclusions as to who they are as a person. Some things in nature a person can't control whether it be where they are born or what race they are when born, but other parts of identity are shaped by the social environment around us and we have the power to be whoever we want to be. Identity is who you are, fortunately you're the only one who decides that for yourself!