The thoughts and behavior of most people are influenced by their racial or ethnic identity.
Our identities are affected by many things, including social characteristics such as race or gender; where we live or grew up (e.g., the South, the East Coast, a big city, a small town); the conditions in which we live (e.g., socioeconomic status); religious beliefs; and social or political orientations (e.g., liberal, moderate, conservative). Some of us are more conscious of our racial and ethnic identity than others. In the United States people of color, immigrants, and people whose dominant language is not English tend to be more conscious of their racial and ethnic identity than others.
There is great diversity within groups; identities, while shaped by generalized definitions of racial and ethnic characteristics, are more nuanced and can—and often do—vary greatly within commonly labeled groups. The significance we place on our different identity characteristics—how we prioritize what is most important to us—shapes how we see ourselves. We construct our own identities, but they also are imposed upon us by others. Our identities affect the way we see the world and the way the world sees us. In these activities, we'll look at how race shapes self-perception.
To explore more about the prevalence of racial disparity, examine the following resources.
Learning Resources and Activities
- Linda Darling-Hammond talks about how different group affiliations can affect the development of group of identity.
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- UCLA professor Kris Gutierrez explains why diversity within groups should inform pedagogy.
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