Advanced Essay #2: Steer Clear of the Herd

Identity is an extremely powerful concept. People fight every day for their identity and their right to be themselves. However, there are other people that choose to stick with the heard and do not separate themselves as an individual. This is one of the biggest tragedies that can happen to someone. Everyone should be given the opportunity to grow as their own person and create their own set of values.

My parents have always had a huge impact on me. The way I speak, the way I present myself, and the opinions I have. However, it was very important to me to have my own opinions and my own thoughts, and not just regurgitate what my parents were saying. This happens most frequently in the realm of politics, which can make things a bit heated at times. My parents lean towards the left, and can sometimes add to the idea of having beliefs just based on party lines. So when I started to question some of the ideas that have always been presented to be in my household it wasn’t received very well. I’m not saying I’m a republican though, not even close, however, I wouldn’t vote for a reality TV personality if they decided to run on the Democratic ballot either. The ideals and values that I have about this make an impact on my identity.

These values are what makes up the majority of who we are. Kwame Anthony Appiah, author of The Lies That Bind, wrote that “having these ideas at hand will help us chart our way through religion, nation, race, class, and culture as sources of identity” (Appiah, 31). Being able to successfully sort through our identities is the only way we can truly be 100% ourselves. Appiah points out that in order to truly be confident in who we are we have to thoroughly investigate our values and how they tie together. This quote ties directly into my ability to differentiate my own opinions and ideas from my parents and be my own person. I was able to do this because I took the time to go through all of the sources of my identity. This is something everyone should be able to do in order to be more confident about the things that make them up.

There was one night where we were sitting in the living room and were watching the news. And there was a reporter that brought forward a point that was borderline conservative. As soon as the words left the woman’s mouth, my parents were going crazy. Immediately were upset and started to attack the point, as if trying to beat it out of existence. I was taken aback at first. I didn’t realize that it didn’t have anything to do with the actual point that was made but instead the side that was presenting the point. That didn’t sit well with me and I began to question why one side was automatically right, and the other didn't deserve to be listened to. This experience stuck with me whenever I was confronted with an idea that simply followed a group mentality.

A sense of personal identity is one of the greatest things someone can have. The ability to know who you are apart from everyone else is something that everyone should try to achieve. I have spent a majority of my recent years trying to become my own person, separate from the hurricane of ideas and beliefs swirling around me, and I believe I am better for it. It’s because of this firsthand that I believe separation from group identity is necessary.