Icebergs and snowflakes of your identity (Exercise)
- You will need: pen and paper
- Estimated time: 25 minutes
Task description
This exercise is about our identities and showing how our identities are complex and dynamic constructs that constantly change and adapt to social contexts. None of our identities are restricted to just one social context. In every social context (family, work, etc.) different part(s) of our identities come to the fore-front (the tip of the iceberg), but the identities in the background (the underwater part of the iceberg) also do not disappear, they are just less visible at the time.
First, familiarize yourself with the following Identity Signs! These signs are representing different aspects of your identities.
- RACE
- ETHNICITY
- SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS
- GENDER
- SEX
- SEXUAL ORIENTATION
- NATURAL ORIGIN
- FIRST LANGUAGE
- PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL (DIS)ABILITY
- AGE
- RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL AFFILIATION
Now we will present you a series of sentences: each sentence will be about your identities, but instead of the actual identity there will be a blank space in each sentence. To fill these blank spaces you will choose an Identity Sign that is most relevant for you based on that sentence.
Example: “The part of my identity that my clients are aware mostly is GENDER.”
| Sentences about your identity
● The part of my identity that I am most aware of on a daily basis is_________. ● The part of my identity that I am the least aware of on a daily basis is_________. ● The part of my identity that was most emphasized or important in my family growing up was _________. ● The part of my identity that has the greatest effect on how others perceive me is ______. ● The part of my identity that I most often use to connect with others is ______. ● The part of my identity that most often comes up directly or indirectly when talking with colleagues is _______. ● The part of my identity that almost or almost never comes up when talking with colleagues is _______. ● The part of my identity that I wish I knew more about is _________. ● The part of my identity that provides me the most privilege is _________. ● The part of my identity that I believe is the most misunderstood by others is _________. ● The part of my identity that I feel is difficult to discuss with others who identify differently is _________. |
After filling in all the blanks for yourself on your paper, reflect on the process:
- Was it difficult to choose just one identity sign, or was it easy? Why? Did you have a different experience with each sentence?
- Do you think any identity sign was missing? What identity sign would you add to the ones on the list?
- Were there any identity signs that you almost never considered in your choosing process? Something you almost never felt to be important when thinking about the sentences? Which one and why?
- Do you think there is an identity element that is only relevant in certain social contexts, situations, and not in others?
- Were there any sentences, or are there any social contexts in your life where you felt that sex, sexual orientation or gender are not at all important?
- How do you think this activity is relevant for the topic of coming out?
*This activity is adapted from the Identity Signs activity outlined by Meg Bolger in The Social Justice Toolbox.
