Premium Essay

Personal Identity

In:

Submitted By jkrazie
Words 547
Pages 3
Personal Identity
In the story “Song for my Father” written by Eric Liu, Liu recalls his awkwardness from the people around him because of his hair and skin tone. He finds it hard to fit in because he is different from those around him. His father, an Air Force pilot, immigrated to the United States with his family. Liu was young then and as he adjusts in a different country, he grows apart from his native born land as well. He calls himself “1.5 lingual” because he cannot speak his native Chinese language fluently and have also forgotten how to write in Chinese. As a grown man, he now struggles to face reality and is confined from embracing his own identity.
From reading the story, I learned about his struggles and the discrimination he faces. But I also realized that Eric Liu is not different from me and from my culture. We also faced the same discrimination and prejudice from different groups of people. However, his struggle and his purpose is different from mine. I want to be known for who I really am and where I come from, but in his case, he wants to completely forget about his past. His fragmented knowledge about his father, his father’s past has left him a feeling of being incomplete which makes him ungrounded. In this case, he lacks the knowledge of his collective (personal and family) history which makes him lack the anchor for a sense of self and a bridge of intimacy and connection to people.
My story is different from Eric Liu because if he feels ashamed of his true identity, I am proud of where I came from. I embrace my own native culture and traditions. I migrated to America from the Philippines with my family when I was twelve years old. Even if I am fully adjusted here, me and my family still holds a bridge and connection with our fellow Filipinos. My family and I still speak with our own native tongue and celebrate the Filipino

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Influence Of John Locke On Personal Identity

...Locke believes that one’s personal identity is made up from their conscious memories. His view is that a person can only be the same person as they were in the past if they can expand their consciousness back to their previous actions and memories. So, everything that a person can remember from their past are what makes up their personal identity. An example that Locke gives of the memory theory is the idea of body switching. He explains that if two people switched bodies, then the two individuals would still be themselves, because they still have their memories, which Locke believes that is what makes up someone’s personal identity. He uses the example of a prince entering the body of a cobbler. He states that the person would still be the same as the prince and not the cobbler, because he still has his memories and experiences from being a prince. Another example that supports the memory theory is amnesia. When a person suffers from irreversible amnesia, many people take it almost as if that person is dying. Although, the individual is still alive and still a person, they do not have the memories and experiences that make up their personal identity. Even though that person is still themselves and is still in their own body, what gave them their personality and made them who they are is gone....

Words: 451 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Determining Personal Identity

...Personal identity is the identity we were born with to inform others we are whom we say we are. Personal identity is highly important for many reasons; for example: getting a job, filing taxes, and buying merchandise that requires credit checks such as cars, housing, etc. Without proof of our identity, we will most likely fail at moving forward. It is always important to protect our identities; Failure to do so could lead to it being stolen; Everyone is born with an identity but with a different one; Simply because we are all different people, with different assets and features; Which makes it impossible for anyone to steal our identity completely; Meaning that the suspect would be caught eventually for fraud. Ways our personal identity could...

Words: 430 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Personal Narrative: My Identity

...perceives us. This is called our identity. Our identity is a collection of the unique differences we possess and what ties us together in groups, clubs, or even countries. I observe myself as a person who is particularly dedicated. The identity I have formed for myself has shaped the way I interact with classmates, friends, and family. It defines who I am today and who I will be tomorrow. Dedication has pushed me, kept me back, warped my perceptions and ideals, and has given me my drive to succeed. My commitment and ability to fully apply myself and focus on a single...

Words: 1068 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Personal Narrative: My Personal Identity

...my first nickname, Catie, like my father wanted, and that’s how I started my life. I grew up as Catie, my friends, my family, and I, myself, knew me as Catie. It wasn’t Cathrine, or Cathrine Sarah, but Catie. I lived my first couple years going by this nickname, and I loved it. I even felt possessive over my name. It was mine, not the girls sitting next to me, I didn’t care about being called by a name given to me due to the pressures of society, the requirements of a specific name that would be used to place me in a specific group of people for a specific job position. I was free to choose what I wanted to be called, in school I went my Catie, it was my way to keep control of my life where control had been taken away from me. It was a personal right to change it as I saw fit, I had to abide by a strict schedule, a schedule set by those who were above...

Words: 898 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Personal Narrative: My Identity

...One of the lessons I learn every year in high school revolves around the theme of identity. “Who am I?” is the question I ask myself frequently. It’s very typical for high schoolers to be confused and constantly change how they view themselves. The figurative cards that they hold might be one of the reasons they change their minds. I don’t know what kinds of cards other applicants were dealt, but the my deck will be face up. In 1998, I was adopted from China by a single parent. Growing up, I knew I was different from other kids around me. My mom had me read plenty of books about being different. We even talked about and embraced my Chinese roots. As time went on, the differences I saw between myself and the people in my community seemed to fade. I managed to fit in quite well in little Kittery, Maine. Now for the irony: saying how I fit in, when the whole point is to show how I stand out. My ability to fit in, however, can be applied to a variety of different groups. I fit in on a sports team, on a robotics team, in the music world, in an academic club, or an animal service program. My versatility and ability to fit in with any group allows me to feel comfortable as I learn new experiences and information. I can later apply the of one area...

Words: 497 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Personal Narrative: My Identity

...Identity I’ve been identified by many labels, but many of them have come from first glances. Although I have many things that I can be identified by, there are a few common things that I and other people have observed. One thing people see me as, is humorous. I’ve realized that I will always try to make someone laugh to feel better about myself. It’s a way of self-verification when I witness others laughing and acknowledging me as a “someone” to them. Another word I am labeled as is kind. I always make sure that I am friendly and considerate of others. Trustworthiness is a trait that I am also recognized by. My friends can always trust me with their secrets, and I am reliable when it is appropriate.Those were just three of the many labels...

Words: 648 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Personal Narrative: My Identity

...What is my identity? That is a loaded question, because there are so many different aspects that make up who I am. I am a white, middle-class, heterosexual, cis-female. I’m very privileged in this position and I acknowledge that. I will never go through the struggles that someone apart of the LBGT+ or other races will go through. I will never have to worry about disappointing my parents because I wasn’t the sexuality they wanted me to be. I will never have to worry about which bathroom I can use. I will never have to even worry that someone won’t hire me for some reason other than I’m not qualified or the best choice. A strong part of who I am and take pride in is that I’m a woman. I have never been the most “girly girl” but as I’ve grown...

Words: 409 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Personal Narrative: Self Identity

...Who am I? Self identity can be difficult because it takes time and thought. It is easy for me to rely on my best friend to know who I am and vice versa. Even as I got this assignment I felt the need to ask the people around me to help identify things in me to put on the medicine wheel. But it is very important to know yourself, knowing who you are shapes who you can be. I wanted to be intentional in the layout of my medicine wheel, I wanted it to be unique and encompass who I am; I used the set up as an element of shape. Although I think all categories are important and very present in my life I believe some of them have a stronger influence on who I am. Spirituality not only plays a big role in my life but completely encompasses it, it...

Words: 1143 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Personal Narrative: My Cultural Identity

...Cultural identity is the identity of a group, culture, or individual, influenced by one's belonging to a group of culture. Everybody has their own culture and cultural identity. We usually never think about our culture but if you did, what would your cultural identity be? My cultural identity is one big eclectic pasta dish filled with several different ingredients. with an Italian and American family I'm introduced to many different foods and traditions. My family celebrates American holidays and of course, traditional foods come along with them. On Thanksgiving we go visit family friends in Alabama. They live on a farm and we get to ride go karts and see all the animals. I'm always very voracious for Thanksgiving dinner. We eat turkey, ham,...

Words: 677 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Personal Response on Sexuality Identity

...Personal Response on Sexuality Identity Jonathan Scroggins Psychology of Human Sexuality/PSY265 April 4, 2015 Kimberly Sampson Personal Response on Sexuality Identity Personal Response on Sexuality Identity My personal response regarding my sexuality and identity are laced with religious beliefs, above all else. I believe that my attitude to the diversity of sexual orientation and identity is very open-minded. There are many things that I have learned, regarding sexuality, since first starting this class, and there are other things that have merely been confirmed or solidified in determining my personal sexuality identity. Growing up, I was influenced heavily by religious beliefs. As far back as I can remember, there has always been the church in my life. It was a strict code of rules and was void a relationship that so many Christians refer to as a fundamental basis of their faith. Sex was never discussed except for the “lustful” thoughts, acts, or implications. Sin was always associated with sex (or lust). Hardly ever were there any “good” sermons, counsel, or guidance regarding sex, sexual identity, or sexual orientation. It was a rather close-minded idea of how a person should act. Like many others, as I became an adult, I began to think on my own. It was not until I started college that I understood the concept of critical thinking. Since then, I have been able to evaluate my stand as a Christian and its relevance to sexual identity. My attitude towards sexual...

Words: 1609 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Personal Response on Sexuality Identity

...Personal Response on Sexuality Identity Lillian M. Floyd PSY/265 Lauren Lappe February 16.2014 A person’s sexual identity may seem like something obvious, something that should be an essential characteristic of our lives. However as we have found, these things are not always so simple, often finding that our sexual identity, is ever changing most of our lives. I have given my own identity some thought and I find for me it wasn’t easy. In this essay I will be discussing my own identity and my reasons for coming to the conclusions that I have come to, and why I came to them (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005) Sexuality is and will always be a natural and healthy part of living. All of us have different values or strong beliefs. Our sexuality is like a beautiful diamond being multifaceted with different ethical, emotional, psychological, and physical dimensions. Regardless, there are effects and consequences for any sexual decision we make (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005) I was a reckless teenager never taking into consideration the consequences of my actions by being so promiscuous. After looking over the different sexual values in our text it seem that when I was younger I favored hedonism because I was more into the pleasure that I received from it (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005) I can relate to more than one sexual value system(s). Legalism for example, because I come from a very religious family...

Words: 1429 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Personal Essay: The Role Of Identity Fraud In The United States

...In 2013 an article in CNN Money estimated that identity fraud occurs every two seconds. Identity fraud is a serious problem that claims millions of innocent victims. Our identity is what makes us unique. In 2013 my purse was stolen while I was volunteering at a local private school. The thieves falsely presented themselves as me, using my driver’s license and social security number to diminish my entire bank account in less than 2 hours. Thousands of my dollars, my entire life savings, had been stolen. I worked years to save money and become financially independent, and in 2 hours that was all ripped away from me. Identity is the “distinguishing character or personality of an individual”. When one’s name, address, social security, credit history, and life’s savings are stolen one feels violated. I struggled to reclaim my name and my self-worth. I wanted –I needed- my lives earnings and savings back. I did not have a penny to my name. Simple things I took for granted, paying rent, utilities, and buying groceries were now impossible. My credit score dropped overnight, my loans began to default, and I began the process of trying to clear my name and restore my identity....

Words: 474 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

The Personal Identity

...Parfit’s reductionism of personal identity comes into picture as a radical solution to the duplication problem (assuming that we accept the psychological continuity theory), wherein a personal identity in terms of its psychological continuity could branch into two (or more) successors, each of which is continuous of the previous personal identity before branching and is hence identical to each other, thereby we would seem to have two (or more) persons (or agents) having one and the same identity, thus violating the rule of numerical sameness upon which we build our previous accounts of personal identity. Instead of simply adding the clause such as “this psychological continuity does not take a branching form” as a way to tackle this duplication problem, Parfit has otherwise suggested his reductionism view. This account entails two major arguments, as that 1) the thing as we call “personal identity” is indeterminate and consequently we should see how 2) (the issue of) personal identity might not be as important as it seems to be. These two arguments would be in order discussed to explain his argument for reductionism. First, to say that the personal identity is indeterminate is to say that personal identity is not numerical identity, implying that every bit of changes of the either person’s material constitution (in terms of the spatiotemporal continuity) or of his psychological states (in terms of the psychological continuity) does change the person into a different one; this...

Words: 1302 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Personal Identity

...comJess Ramirez Professor. Williams Philosophy 180 9.18.12 Personal Identity. What am I? A mind or a body? Between both my mental and physical realities my true self is found in my mind. An intangible but highly influential, very private set of thoughts construct the perception of how I allow the physical world to experience my being. My body is a physical representation of the collective effort of thoughts and experiences of my mind. In essence our body serves as a vessel or shell for our very soul. The question, “what am I?” could also be “who are you?” What constitutes an individual’s identity? I believe between the two options of physical and mental realities that my prolonged mental consciousness gives me my identity. My memories are who I am. Without my memories I am just a body a tabula rasa all over again. This idea of memory serving as our identity can be seen with the example of Alzheimer’s patients. Alzheimer’s is an autoimmune disease that even with today’s modern medicine is still misunderstood. The patient suffering AD experiences a slow wipe out of their memory. Even though, still unclear to how or why this happens to millions of people worldwide we are able to see first hand years of life disappear into nowhere and how destructive this is to families, loved ones, and an individuals identity. They exist physically as a shell and nothing more. Their connection and relationship to the physical world is of no use without the mind. For the record I am by no means...

Words: 2652 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Personal Identity

...what kind of person you truly are, it’s very easy and possible to loose yourself. Loose how you were raised, loose some of the most important lessons you have learned thus far in life,but most importantly, loose your overall identity. For a very long time through my teenage years, I didn’t know who I was or who I was “supposed to be”. And if you were not already previously aware, unfortunately there isn't just a manual or some kind of app in the App store to teach you how to re-find who you are. Its personal. It’s a responsibility that you just have to figure...

Words: 609 - Pages: 3