How do you identify yourself?

[owl10]

Watching CNN earlier (I know.... but its the only English speaking channel I have...) there was some story about a woman director who had won some kind of cinematic award.

It was apparently significant as she was the first black person to win this award.

Upon interview she was describing her work, there was a clip, and her comments went something like this;

"through the direction, sound, picture the work tells you about me, who I am... and who am I? I'm a 'sister' "

Now apart from the language used (which makes me cringe anyway)makes me think what a twat...) I thought this a little strange. Here she is and the primary thing she chooses to identify herself as is as a 'black person'.

I find it strange because this doesnt tell me anything about the person.

Personally I identify myself as a lot of different things, a Biker, a petrolhead (into cars as well as bikes). My work is also plays a strong part in the way I identify myslef - Im lucky to have a Job i enjoy in a company which treats me fairly well which has products I really believe in (Civil Aerospace), so I identify myself as a 'professional'.

I'm a white man is something which, for me at least is far down the list of self identification.

(I am probably identified as a white person by many others here in Asia, but thats a different matter!)

So thinking about this I feel that self identification by colour is tends to be more common with particular ethnicities rather than others (or at least the media leads me to belive this is the case).

Am I alone in tihnking this is a bit wierd? Anyone else here identfy themselves firstly by their colour? If so, why?

How do you identify yourself?
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[Flatbadger]

Hmm, there's a morning musing.

Like you, I identify myself by what I'm doing and I'm white/English. I think a lot of it is to do with oppression or what's perceived anyway. Take the Scots or Welsh, they each have a strong national identity and would more likely see themselves as Scottish/Welsh higher up the list of attributes.

The English have been the oppressors and so have grown a bit flabby when it comes to that sort of thing. Same with race, I suppose you're bound to push back if you're trodden on (or think you're being trodden on) and identify with others along those lines, creatng a strong group identity.
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[Dazbo666]

[cornish]

I would say cornish was quite high up on mine. Probably for the things you mentioned and also because at present i've lost some of the major things that i feel identify me so those that are left are a pretty short list

Not working takes away any kind of function, job-title or direction. The resulting lack of cash removes lots of other things. Most significantly by far for me is the bike but also travelling, education, diving, any kind of social-life, home, music, hobbies and just general lifestyle things. I find it significantly difficult to give up part of myself and grovel for money that's not even mine on the (regular) occasions that the benefits 'people' cock us around. It's a real dignity-stripper and it's important not to give in to it. I'm often referred to by a number and have to respond on command to people who control most aspects of our lives so i tend to get all uppity and precious about the things i have left that do identify me. Woe betide the cretinous DSS maggot that calls me english

In addition i love the sea here and do feel very much that i belong to it. Everywhere is close to it and i can often hear it in my daily life, which i only appreciate properly now that i've spent years living in cities. I feel a bit more like myself now that it's always in my field of vision no matter where i look
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[The999Kid]

I identify as white British male... I think that's everything
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[T0MMY]

Some people really do identify themselves entirely by their race though...it's a little illogical because it doesn't define your personality. Likewise hobbies and stuff. I have quite a few and all of them have a certain cliquey "type" associated with them which for most of them I would describe as slightly twattish. i.e. Biker (not so bad but I definitely am not one), snow boarder (think they're too cool for words), rugby player (loutish lager swillers), scuba diver (words can't describe how arrogant and irritating I find most people who are really into this).

The thing that most defines your personality in my opinion is your fundamental political allegiance. I don't mean particular parties or that you even necessarily follow or know anything about politics, I just mean that general split between left wing and right wing mind set which I think is maybe indicative of how you view the world more than any other single factor. I think that alone says quite a lot about people if you had to just pick one trait to use but it's far from complete obviously.

Overall I just consider myself human and don't decide to ally myself with people based on such stupid things as being born in a certain location geograhically. That's not a very logical thing to do.
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[Pete.]

I look in the mirror and say "Yep, it's definately me".
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a.k.a 'Geri'

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[Kickstart]

Hi

Can't say I really identify my self with anything like that. There are things I do and things I enjoy, but don't really think they identify me.

All the best

Keith
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[T0MMY]

[Skudd]

I'm me and unique............ just like all the rst.


I hate it when they call someone a black actor/musician etc.
I would rather have them say they are actors/ musicians who happen to be black.

Some of the people I admire, I admire because of their music, talents, what they have done. The race has nothing to do with it.
I hate things like Miss Black UK of the MOBO awards or the Black Police Federation, ot the lesbian gay transgender brigade. Setting themselves apart all the time, like the British Muslims, we don't say British Christians or methodists etc. No prpblem them saying that hey are British, but I don't need the extra bit.
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[Fisty]

English, white, biker.
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[pepperami]

Me?, I identify myself as?....... A f*cking horrible c*nt

I am what I am! I happen to be White & English (a lot to hate there )
What ever I am, I`m not going to applogise for it.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[smegballs]

I don't really have much of a personal identity along lines like activities/background etc. I must say I've noticed the difference between "gay people" and "people who happen to be gay". I've got friends in both camps (no pun intended) and it really is noticeable. The former group seems define themselves and their life along the fact they are gay, facebook always going on about gay this and that etc etc. The latter group are just regular people, who happen to like making out with the same sex. They don't seem to make it a defining point of their life.

[Frost]

For legal reasons I cannot be identified.

[Ariel Badger]

I am a Brummie, Birmingham is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, There is no child in Brum that is now not part of an ethnic minority and I work in an environment where over 40 languages are spoken.
Brummie is what unites us.
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[J4mes]

[Kradmelder]

[Kradmelder]

[T0MMY]

Remind me never to move to South Africa

And that's balls.
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[Kradmelder]

[T0MMY]

[Kradmelder]

[T0MMY]

[Cunnington]

A mate was in his brother's car when they were pulled by the plod. When his brother was asked to identify himself, apparently turning the rearview mirror to look at himself before saying "yes, that's me" was not the response they were looking for.
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The Shaggy D.A. wrote: "You are invisible. Those who can see you are trying to kill you."

[Kradmelder]