What are identities?
We’re going to begin by thinking about the concept of identities.
Pause to reflect
Please think about how you currently understand what “identity” means. What aspects of yourself do you think of when you reflect on your own identities?
For some people, when they think of their identities, what first comes to mind are their individual characteristics – what we call one’s personal identity. This includes the combination of things that make you a unique individual. For example, your likes and dislikes, your experiences, your relationships and your skills.
When considering equity, diversity, and inclusion, however, we also place emphasis on the importance of our social identities, or how we, as individuals, are also part of larger collectives.
Social identities don’t make personal identities less important; in fact, they help us to better understand how who we are as individuals has been impacted by the groups or categories in which we belong.
| Aspects of Social Identity | |
|---|---|
|
|
The unique aspects of a person’s self-definition, such as values, experiences, personality traits, and individual choices. Personal identity reflects how people see themselves beyond group affiliations or external labels.
