Lately, I’ve been contemplating the idea of identity, specifically my own. It’s a subject that has captured my interest due to the ongoing discussions about how we want to be perceived and acknowledged.
The sheer multitude of identities present in today’s world has become overwhelming for me to grasp. As more and more people express their identities, I find myself struggling to connect and comprehend them all.
This has led me to question how I should define myself. There are countless options available, each carrying its own implications.
Various forms and documents require me to disclose personal details about my identity, as if the government or corporations have a vested interest in knowing who I am. They inquire about physical attributes like the color of my skin, eyes, and hair. They want to know my height, weight, belt size, inseam, and even my race and gender. Some even delve into my sexual orientation, political beliefs, and religious affiliations. They inquire about my country of origin and residence, my education, and my income. As I’ve grown older, the questions have become more intrusive and personal.
With the rise of technology, this invasion of privacy has become even more pervasive. They no longer ask questions; they simply observe and listen to our interactions with technology. They want us to believe that they know us better than we know ourselves. However, time and again, they have proven that they don’t truly understand who I am. They place me in a predetermined category and assign either positive or negative attributes to me. Once they have labeled me, they expect everyone else to perceive me in the same way.
Social media exemplifies this phenomenon, where people attempt to define your identity without truly knowing you. They even make assumptions about the news channels you watch, despite having zero knowledge. In an instant, they decide whether they like you or not, and may even declare you an enemy. It’s a rather absurd reality, but unfortunately, it’s the world we live in today.
All this information is collected by various agencies and individuals, shaping their perception of my so-called identity. Governments, corporations, and everyday people look at this data and make judgments about who I am. However, my experience has shown that they get it all wrong. Eventually, a label is attached to me, and I am judged based on that label. I am then placed into a category that fosters tribalism. People look at these labels and decide, without even knowing me, whether they like me or not.
There is a complete disregard for the fact that each of us is a unique individual, just like you are the only you on this planet. You are as unique as you’re one of a kind fingerprint. It is impossible to accurately categorize any of us. Some individuals exploit these external differences to gain power, using fear, uncertainty, and doubt to manipulate anyone who doesn’t fit into their tribal category.
If these external features only reflect a superficial aspect of my identity, then what truly defines me? I refuse to let others dictate my identity based on their perceptions of my outward appearance.
My identity is deeply personal and introspective. To truly understand my true identity, one would have to know me on a deeper level. It’s astonishing how much people think they know about someone based solely on external markers of identity.
My identity revolves around my attitude towards life and how I treat those around me. It is about how I speak of others when they are not present. My identity is not determined by my gender, sexual orientation, or race. Those are merely surface-level characteristics.
I identify as a human being. I believe I can relate to anyone, regardless of our external differences. I know this because I do it every day. I choose to identify as a kind human being, and I genuinely don’t care about the superficial disparities that those in power love to endless talk about.
I don’t need to conform to everyone else’s identity to understand them. I don’t use my identity as a barrier that separates people, nor do I victimize myself and use my experiences to bully or shame others.
Furthermore, I refuse to employ identity politics as a means to demand loyalty or exert power over others.
What truly matters to me is not our differences, but rather what we have in common. Identifying as a kind human being allows me to focus on that.
I can be kind, irrespective of my gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, or country of origin.
So, remember, when you encounter a form that fails to ask whether you are kind or whether you are human, it misses the essence of your entire existence. It overlooks your true identity.
External identities breed tribalism, and tribalism breeds conflict, which ultimately leads to human suffering and war.
When we look for what we have in common and we will find it everytime. Look for differences and we will find that as well. Be a kind human the rest doesn’t matter as much as those in control would like it to be. They profit from the chaos they create by over magnifying the differences that never really mattered.
I’m just stating the obvious once again… 😏
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