Essay On Identity Politics

Identity politics

I am positively inclined to the positions enunciated by the contributors on identity and personality. Indeed, as it has been put by one, Elon James White, identity not only identifies the personality of an individual, but it equally lays responsibility on the person. One incurs responsibility for his identity. A suitable example could be seen in light of the African American on national television. He bares the identity and responsibility of being black. Consequently, whatever he presents and the manner, in which he carries himself, reflects on the entire black populace that he represents. In an equal breadth, the feminist and New Yorker, Nona Willis, would essentially represent the feminist identity and populace. The identity of an individual ought not to be simplistically interpreted. One should appreciate the complexity that accrues with identity. Just like the individuals who were asked to describe themselves using only one word, one’s identity should bring out his or her overall character. The four responders described themselves as consistent, courageous, resolute and cheerful respectively. One’s identity does not accrue only out of the societal groupings he belongs to; rather, it arises out of one’s character, demeanor, societal group, among other issues. In a similar vein, the incumbent president, Barrack Obama, in giving his opinion on the sale of medication to underage persons such as eleven and ten year olds identified himself as a father. In that situation, the president identified himself as a father. He, therefore, reasoned like a father would, in appreciation of their children. Identity clearly commits one to some form of responsibility and course of action. Finally, it should be noted that one’s identity is not a subject that could be easily changed.