Jacob Gallagher
Engw 1100 3J
Prof. Young

Identity

      Identity can be defined many ways including origin, ethnicity, culture, gender and many more. To me, my identity means a lot. It means a lot to me because I am unique and I know that there is no one else in the world who has the same exact identity as me. My identity comes from my family and without them I don't know where I would be today. My family have helped me develop my identity into who I am today. My identity also helps others understand who I am and where I come from.
      Identity is also special to me because, no matter how much the world tries to change you, deep down you will always know your true identity. "My tongue keeps pushing out the wads of cotton, pushing back the drills, the long thin needles"(Anzaldua 256). In this quote, Anzaldua is saying that no matter how hard the American culture tries to change her, she will always know her true identity in her heart, that she is a Chicano Mexican.  Identity is a gift that is given to everyone but everyone's is different.  Discovering other people's true identities is an amazing thing. Since everyone is different in their own ways, we get to learn about other cultures and backgrounds just by meeting new people. It is crazy to realize that every person has a different way of saying words and expressing their thoughts. Identity is an amazing thing that helps us understand the perspectives of others.
      So with all of this being said, how could identity not be meaningful in a person's life. Identity brings the world together be helping people of different origins, cultures, and ethnicities understand each other. Identity is a gift that we as individuals all possess. It is whether or not we are willing to accept others that we will truly understand the meaning of identity.