Exploring Racial
Identity
We All Have One.
What Is “Identity”?
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Identity is ...
“the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by
which a thing or person is definitively recognized or
known”
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Identity is ...
“the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by
which a thing or person is definitively recognized or
known”
“the set of behavioral or personal characteristics by
which an individual is recognizable as a member of a
group”
What Shapes Our
Identities?
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Social characteristics like race or gender
Where we live
Conditions in which we live
Religious beliefs
Political or social leanings
What Shapes Our
Identities?
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We construct our own identities.
Society also can impose them onto us.
Our Racial
Identities
Raise your hand if your answer is “yes” ...
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Write a biography of your racial
identity.
When and how did you become aware of your racial or ethnic
identity(ies?)
Describe a moment when your racial identity(ies) were important
to, or took on particular meaning, for you.
Describe a moment when your racial identity(ies) were important
to, or took on particular meaning, for others.
How do you benefit from your racial identity(ies)?
How do you suffer from or “miss out” because of your racial
identity(ies)?
Group Discussion Prompts
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Were some of the questions easier, or more difficult,
for you to answer than others? Why might this be?
Did members of the group have similar or different
experiences with the questions? Why might this be?
Has racial identity affected your lives to the same
degree? Why?
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In Summary
Although we construct our racial identities to some
extent, society does, too.
In the U.S., we all have a racial identity.
Our racial identities affect the way we interact with
the world.
Our racial identities affect the way the world interacts
with us.