Use Your Difference to Make a Difference

8Identity

Largely concerned with the two questions “Who am I?” and “What does it mean to be who I am?,” identity relates to our basic values that dictate the choices we make (e.g., relationships, school, career). We discussed this largely in Part I, but when you go back to the two stories I started Part II with, you can see how institutions having incomplete stories of people can lead to a lack of opportunities as well as a negative perpetuation cycle.

The problem persists when institutions think of identities as one-dimensional rather than their intersectional characteristics. Identities are intersectional because they include race, gender, religion/spirituality, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other dimensions that describe groups of people. The basic principle is that we all have multiple identities.

Revealing My Identities

My multiple identities, for example, include me being a Nigerian, a third-culture kid, a speaker, a consultant, a writer, a podcaster, a brother, a man, and a son. Taken separately, each of these unique aspects of who I am don't paint the full picture of my identity. Only when you sum up these aspects do you get close to my total identity.

As a Nigerian, I identify as a member of the Yoruba tribe, a West African, and an African. I proudly support my national soccer team and I generally root for Nigerians all over the world. I am filled with a tremendous amount of pride when I see people like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Chimamanda ...