Final Paper

Identity is a very important to everyone’s lives. No matter what is going on with your life, you have an identity of some kind. One’s identity can be anything from his/her education to his/her race or nationality. It can be one thing or several combined. Basically, your identity is how you would define yourself when asked “Who are you?” I would consider my own identity as my nationality, race, and gender. These aspects of my life all give, or take, away to my movement through the world.

As all of ours, my nationality is American. Americans are privileged in many different ways. This is the land of the free; this is where people come to escape prosecution and poverty. If I, as an American, go to the European, Australian, and even the African countries, I would be treated with a decent level of respect. The civilians typically know English as a second language so Americans don’t necessarily need to be fluent in another language. Going to the Middle Eastern countries, for example, would definitely be a downside of American. I can imagine the civilians would be very standoffish towards me and hesitant to help me around, not because they would be rude but because doing so would pose a potential danger to their own lives. The Middle Eastern government, I would think, would be downright rude and would try to delay my entrance with any and everything possible. The governments over there see Americans as a threat to their power and religion. I would not feel safe here, as I would in the European, Australian, or African countries, because of my nationality. Nationality is a key point to think about when thinking about going to a foreign country.

Again, as most of us are, I am of the Caucasian race. Here in the United States, white is definitely the dominant race. Being of the white race would help me in countries, such as Europe and Australia, where white is also the dominant race because there is that mutual respect. Africa would be a weird experience because black is the majority but white is dominant in power. So I, as a white person, would have mixed feelings because the white, even though the minority, receive more respect than the blacks. While talking to a friend, I learned that in Africa there is still the unequal human rights thing going on discretely. The officials are white and black but the white have the upper hand; the white have the money while the black live in little huts. There is no eye contact between the white and black people and the respect is one sided towards the white. I think it would be very awkward for an American to experience that type of society because we are used to equality.

As a female, I have many advantages, but just like everything else, it has its disadvantages as well. In the work force there are rules against gender discrimination but it will always happen. I am more likely to get a job as a nurse than a construction worker because gender roles still influence society. When traveling, I wouldn’t be watched as closely as a big, rough-looking man. Upon entering a foreign country, such as Africa, Australia, or Europe, I would be received in a more welcoming way rather than the hostile way a grown man might be welcomed. The downside of being a female, would be that when entering a country in the Middle East, I would not be given as much respect as a male because females aren’t considered equal to men there. In America, there is the understood rule that men don’t hit women—ever. Of course no one is supposed to hit anyone, but women beaters are especially disliked. Bottom line is that being of the female gender in America provides me with many advantages, not so much with the other countries.

Everyone has an identity which effects their movement through the world in one way or another. There are many different possibilities for identities and movements for each person depending on his or her lifestyle, personality, and habits. Both are very important aspects of everyone’s lives.