Most, if not all of these generalizations do not fit me as a person, so being called "male," aside from the obvious biological identity inherent in the word, is not something I necessarily enjoy being called. Being male usually means that you are masculine, tough, aggressive if not violent, extroverted, breadwinner, career-driven, and oppressive. Being male usually means that you have privileges not granted to women. However, I feel that by being labelled "male" there are certain generalizations that go along with that identity that I don't see as appropriate. To say the very least, I'm sure my wife would say I'm all male (with just a dash of sarcasm, of course). I guess the doctor who delivered me at birth is ultimately responsible for my identity as a male, but I think it might go back farther than that. I often have intentional facial hair, I have a "male" voice, I dress like a male, and when it comes right down to it I have all the appropriate male parts. First of all, most people, me included, label me a male because I fit the stereotypical mold of a male. Male - I guess this is an easy one, but can also bring with it a wealth of issues. Obviously, this is a hot button issue for me, so I'll move on.
#Ascribed and avowed identity skin#
Therefore, I do not agree with the idea that skin color should have anything to do with one's identity, especially when it is used so often as a way of making generalizations or stereotypes about a person.
Additionally, being "white" or "black" or "brown" or whatever skin color you can name has very little, if anything to do with who we are as people. I also do not believe that being "white" is culturally appropriate concerning my lineage, just as calling someone African American just because they are brown-skinned is appropriate since brown-skinned people come from all over the world, not just Africa. I find that the generalizations that come with being labelled "white" do not identify me as a person. Being called "white" often ties in to other ascribed identities, such as being privileged, being protestant, being prejudiced towards non-white groups, among others. I find that most everyone is responsible for placing this identity on me, as it is such a easy generalization that provides people with general assumptions about me. This identity seems to bring with it the baggage of being privileged, oppressive, and without culture. White - this identity has been placed on me, just as it has been placed on nearly all people of European lineage.
To better analyze these ascribed identities, who placed them on me, and what my reactions have been to these identities, I will address several uniquely ascribed identities on a case by case basis to illustrate my point. Most of my ascribed identities were the result of labels received because of my relation to my family, my friends, and those with whom I interact on a regular basis.
Using these lists I will then explain how I obtained many of my ascribed identities and what, if anything, I have done to overcome these identities.Īscribed Identities: white, male, protestant, middle class, privileged, old, father, son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, crazy, lazy, immature, intelligent, creative, balding, skinhead, prejudiced, anti-social, humorous, perfectionist, philosophical, tall, short, rock star, struggling musician, author, student, strange, weird, and geeky.Īvowed Identities: male, agnostic, working class, youthful, father, son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, intellectual, ethically conscious, culturally educated, creative, musician, author, student, passionate, philosophical, political, compassionate, and geeky. Before looking into the way I have obtained or struggled to overcome many of my ascribed identities, I would like to first provide a list of both my ascribed identities and my avowed identities.
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