A2 Blog 2: Un-Identified

Do I think it is possible to be completely un-identified in modern day culture? No.  People are told their identity by their parents and relatives from a very young age because it gives them knowledge about their family, their culture, and who they are as a person.  Identity is a necessity because it connects people with people of similar interests and heritage, while creating a large network of people who have endured similar things in their life.  Instantly people are identified in society based on their phenotype and then continue to gain labels based on their interests and background.  Although racial barriers have come a long way, there is simply no way for people to stop differentiating people based on their race.  In 3rd Rock from the Sun, Dick says he doesn't see race and his colleagues laugh at him, showing the innate nature of people to make quick judgements abut a person's racial identity.

There would be advantages of being un-identified of finally tearing down all race barriers and for the first time in history all races would be seen as completely equal with no phenotype to create a distinction.  Prejudice would end leading people to no longer make assumptions about people based on first impressions, allowing people to improve their interactions with one another.  However, many drawback exist as well.  Un-identified people would have no immediate community of people with similar interest and backgrounds to seek for advice, support, and friendship.  It gives people pride, meaning, and a purpose to carry themselves the way they do.

The media engrains images of identity in all aspects of life.  For example, popular children's television shows play upon many stereotypes and identities.  Many shows take place in a school, typically high school, setting where there are several groups portrayed: the jocks who all wear Letterman jackets, the popular girls who wear far too much make-up and act stuck up, the friendly classmates, and the nerds who are often sympathize with for their mistreatment.  This is a conscious choice made by the shows producers and it forces the viewers to not only see the prevalence of identities, but it also causes them to chose which identity they want to associate with. 

Is this what society is pushing for as they continue to racialize people?  A homogenous world would lack diversity of perspectives and be far less superior to a diverse society; however, those with ethnic backgrounds feel the need to fit the mold perpetuated by society and media.