Debating Identity…

During, Simon. “Debating Identity” In Cultural Studies: A Critical Introduction, Routledge: London, 2005, 145-152.

I am young, female, Australian, a student, middle class, brunette…. and the list goes on. Which of these identities is the most concrete? What parts of society and its sub-cultures do these labels slot me into?

The reading by During this week discusses the various identities an individual can adopt or be labeled with and in turn the way in which the individual, their identity and society interrelate with each other. Our identities differentiate us as individuals but, in doing so, also categorise us with others that share the same trait or traits. This raises the question of whether in identifying one’s-self are we in turn reducing our individuality? In saying this, it seems like an impossible feat to be ‘un-labeled’ by a species that focuses immensely on social relationships.

Identities in our society do, however, remain transient and there is much room for shifts and changes within and around them. They both gain and lose prominence and priority through the course of time and space as examined by During. In various cultures different identities are of different importance and prominence, for example in Muslim (religious label) culture one’s gender is of a greater importance than one’s job title whereas in Western culture job titles often reign supreme.The concept of identity allows us to make some sense of incredibly complex cultural social networks and our own internal states.

The plethora of ‘identities’ that are allocated to us throughout our lives moulds us into who we are, whether we like the idea of it or not. Society creates categories for each person and the categories an individual decides to accept as part of their perceived identity becomes internalised thus becoming part of who they are within themselves.

To eliminate ‘identity’ is impossible! Even a ‘recluse’ or ‘hermit’ may think they have escaped the grasps of the ‘labelling machine’ that is society, but in doing so have we not just named them and identified them regardless? Our very existence is one of categorization and identity. We as individuals need to be switched on to our given identities and realise that they do not make who we are as a whole, but rather contribute to it.

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