Comments on: How do YOU self-identify?

By: mostajee

mostajee — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 03:22:56 +0000

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

By: jem

jem — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:41:42 +0000

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.

By: mmm

mmm — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:41:05 +0000

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.

By: GIB

GIB — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:32:50 +0000

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!

By: ColePhoenix

ColePhoenix — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:55:24 +0000

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.

By: The Urban Scientist

The Urban Scientist — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:01:44 +0000

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??

By: BronzeTrinity

BronzeTrinity — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:24:41 +0000

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.