How do YOU self-identify?

October 1st, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

Young Black Professional Guide Who do YOU self-identify?
The comments and conversations about how Egyptians self-identify reminded me of a conversation I had with a YBP some time back.

She asked me how I self-identify and in what order. After thinking about it, I told her that I view myself as a Christian first; person of faith second; black third; so on and so on. She thought this was interesting as she views herself as black first; female second; Christian third; so on and so on.

I was involved in a similar conversation not too long after the NABJ convention where some people view themselves by their profession first – even before their race and nationality.

My wife and I had a similar conversation this weekend and it was very interesting to see how people of color of self-identify and how that affects their concepts of solidarity.

How do you self-identify - if you do? And how does this affect your concept of unity?

Do you feel like you have more in common with all people of color than anything else?
Or do you feel like the solidarity you share with your gender is the most significant?
Do you recognize the diversity of “classifications” and thus don’t feel an intense solidarity with people just because you’re of the same race? Sexual orientation? Geographic region? Age? Etc.?

Let me know what you’re thinking.

Eugene is a journalist in Phoenix. Check out some of his lighter guest contributions at Intelligent Ignorance.

Viewing 7 Comments

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    I would identify myself as an African-Canadian, female, Ph.D. student in my chosen field. Actually I think that I might say female first. Or maybe say I am an African-Canadian woman and then my education and field of study. I think that being female is an important identifier and you can tell it by looking at someone or reading their name most of the time. The African-Canadian part is also apparent by looking at me but no one would know it on paper, over the phone, or by reading my name. I think I identify with being Black first, then female, then being a student.
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    It's usually contextual. But in my head I identify by my profession first, then gender, then racially. But when surrounded by others of the same profession, I identify racially first, then by gender. When surrounded by a group of ybp I identify professionally first, then by gender.

    Now that I think about it...the order in which I identify myself is usually in a way that makes it clear to others that I distingush myself from everyone else.

    Hmm, what does that say about me -- I like to stand apart??
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    Like Eugene, I identify myself as a Christian or child of God. My gender, level of education, and profession have become more irrelevant as my level of spiritual maturity has increased.God said let us make man ( and woman) our own image, likeness, and He gave man dominion. All Christians have probably read this verse in the book of Genesis and probably can quote it vebatim. However, they fail to recognize that this scripture makes all other self identifiers pretext. We should indentify with God's image and likness... unfortunately most people identify with what they call self-accomplishments. We live in a world of apostasy.
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    Speak, ColePhoenix! I am God's light. Divine Love made flesh. He must increase and I, and everything else the world would have me believe, must decrease!
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    Very interesting how so few YBPs identify themselves as black first. Not that it's surprising to me. From my interactions with folks, it seems like middle to upper class blacks are less likely to see themselves as black first often due to the media images that even they see of what being black - and especially black first - means.
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    I don't really rank my "different identities," as I feel a sense of solidarity with all peoples. But I refuse to be on "the same page" or refer to some as "my people" just because we are of the same race.
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    I do not view myself as anything physical or definitive within any the worldly terms at all first, and I believe everyone should view themselves individually first not associated with anyone or thing else then move outward. In the Koran the word teaches us that "we are made different so that we may know why we differ." Humans did not always differ in race. but things happened to bring it about both supernatural and physical challenges. So I believe once we can all accept the order of ::RACE
 
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