Learning about oneself is an important part of Anti-racism work. We all have different identities that we utilize to navigate our place in society daily.

Identities help us feel connected to communities around us. Identities may be aspects we celebrate about ourselves as defining ways in which we see ourselves in the world (our race, our gender, our culture, our sexual orientations, our physical abilities, our education, our passions etc.). Identities also sometimes impact who we are often “allowed” to be, how we view ourselves, and how others may view us.

Reflect on your different identities 

Take a few minutes and consider your answers to the following prompts. Then reflect on the questions below, as you consider how your identity may impact the way you move through the world, and the way you interact with your community.

Personal Identity

 

  1. People can call me: _____________________________________
  2. I am most affirmed when people use: ________ and _________ pronouns.
  3. The places I call home are: _______________________________
  4. I live in a: ___________________________________________
  5. I like to spend my time: __________________________________
  6. I have learned to: ______________________________________
  7. I am naturally talented at: ________________________________
  8. I celebrate my birth by: ___________________________________
  9. My loved ones are: _____________________________________
  10. I am always worried about: _______________________________
  11. Conflict causes me to: __________________________________
  12. When people look into my eyes, they will see: __________________
  13. I love spending time with: _______________________________
  14. What brings me hope is: ________________________________

(Adapted from Britt Hawthorne, 2022)

Social Identity

 

  1. The country that I currently live in: _________________________
  2. My racialized identity is: _________________________________
  3. My ethnicity is: _______________________________________
  4. My worldview or political affiliation is: _______________________
  5. My sex assigned at birth is: _______________________________
  6. My gender is: ________________________________________
  7. My sexuality is: _____________________________________
  8. My physical ability is: __________________________________
  9. My mental health status is: ______________________________
  10. My family’s socio-economic (or class) status is: ________________
  11. My current economic stability is: __________________________
  12. My citizenship is: _____________________________________
  13. My home language is: __________________________________
  14. My highest level of education is: ___________________________

After reflecting on your different personal and social identities, ask yourself:

  • Which identities did you think about on a daily basis?
  • Which identities do you feel comfortable, confident, or have a sense of pride in?
  • Which identities do you notice you’re hiding from co-workers, friends, family members and/or strangers?
  • Which identities have you never considered that some people may feel impacted by?
  • Which one of these unique characteristics can I use to do racial equity and diversity work with?

All of these questions help us understand our own biases, and where those biases may come from. While we all have biases, it is important to know what they are, and how they impact our daily interactions.

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Checking our Privilege