Constructing Identity

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Your personal identity is things that make us stand out in the crowd. To construct our own identity we must first understand our purpose and reasoning for being on this earth. Some would say their identity is based on where they are from, their interest, or even their goals and aspirations in life. However, true self identity is portrayed through who you are on the inside and not by external forces that was socially conditioned on to you. Some of us share the same identity features such as religion, group, gender, nationalism, ideology, and politics. Judith Howard writes,"identity was to a great extent assigned, rather than selected or adopted."(Howard, 367) These are all mechanisms of social conditioning where there is a blurred lined as to if we had a choice in the matter of choosing these particular concepts for ourselves. This concept relates to our class discussions because we discussed in which we talk about power, gender, race and more. Our class trips to the Montclair Museum taught me a lot about the different aspects of identity and its true meaning through many interesting pieces of artwork. One of the artworks shown at the Montclair Art museum that struck my eye was Shannon Linder entitled, "Grievance Quilt"(2018). She used her artistry to air out feelings of grievances she had bottled up inside and grievances that others would not even think about discussing. On one of the quilts it says, “Gun Violence” which is a very controversial topic in today's society, Gun violence has become a public health epidemic that has worsened throughout the years. According to Violence Policy Center, in the year 2016, their have been more than 38,000 Americans died in suicides, homicides, and unintentional shootings. More than two and a half times that number are injured. America’s gun death rate is unacceptably high and far above other Western industrialized nations. Not everyone has the curious to voice their opinion on this topic but that is what makes Linders artwork unique because she does. Another quilt states, “ Drivers who drive slow,” and who would not agree with the agony of waiting in a traffic build up because the driver two cars in front of you is literally going five miles per hour? Linders artwork helps address grievances that many people would keep to themselves. In a way, she becomes the voice of the people and through her artwork reveals how much some people have in common regardless of race, gender, and other defining characteristics of our identity.

Furthermore, another piece of artwork that was interesting to me was Dawoud Bey entitled, “Smokey” (1953). In the museum description, artist Bey,  “sets out to explore the way young people see themselves through the lens of race, gender, class and culture,” because of a “continuing set of social cliches and stereotypes clanged to this population.” At first glance of this picture you can tell that this subject has a story to tell. Howard in her writings reflects on the  role that society plays in the construction of ones identity. She writes in her article, “Asserting that a category “race” would not exist without racist ideology.” Stereotypes made up by society in many ways can affect one's opinion of themselves as well as others. The subjects appearance in the picture would lead people to believe he was just an African American boy from the hood. Most would assume he grew up without a father or father figure. Some would assume that there would be no hope for him in life. Those preconceived notions of one's character through their appearance has been a issue within society for many years. When you learn more about the gentleman in the picture story you will learn that his attempt to counteract others judgment speaks values as far as how important appearance is to one's identity.  However, just as the old saying states, “never judge a book by its cover.” When the photographer first ask to take a picture of him the boy was reluctant but not in the way you may think. He didn't think he looked presentable enough to have his picture taken at that day during that time, so he agreed to come back the next day. He came back with what to him was his best attire on, what to him showed the viewers who he really was a person. Yes, his eyes would low but he wanted people to know that their was so much more to him then just that.

Moreover, we can not forget the piece by Barbara Kruger entitled, “Seeing through you” (1945). Kruger plays with the concept of being vulnerable versus power. In the sense of identity, her artistry digs deeper into the personality of individuals and what they may not want us to know. Our intuitions as people can most of the time help us to separate good people from the bad. We don't always look at the signs close enough but they are always to assist and guide us in our thinking process. In other words, we can see through others true intentions whether with us or in general. Through that thought process we gain a better understanding of who people really are. It is not always what we see on the outside but what it on the inside that matters to the people around you.

Another, art piece that drew me in was by Kehinde Wiley’s entitled, “Matar Mbaye” promotes an aspect of race of race and identity. Wiley's wants to show the viewer how important never forgetting where you come from. Kehinde traveled to West Africa and took the time out to conduct research on his ancestry to get a better understanding of his identity. His roots is  very important part of his identity and is clearly proud of it. Every aspect of his painting from the flowers that surround him, to the colors he uses, ties back to his where he comes from.

Lastly, the piece of artwork by Deborah Roberts entitled, “We heard the Thunder,” is a piece that stood out to me the most. This work of art was created after the tragedy that occurred on June 2017 when Officer Jeronimo Yanez fatally shot Philando Castile in Minnesota while his girlfriends daughter sat in the back seat of the car. Roberts in this piece depicts beauty, especially as it relates to the development of black women in this piece of art.  He depicts a broken figure with pieces that does not fit just write to make a even bigger meaning of acceptance. He states, “The young girl is thus constructed and deconstructed, “a partial person and a full person.” Her naivete and innocents protect her from the full weight of American history and popular culture, while also making her vulnerable to its impact.” To add, “the fractured forms evoke black pain and the cut-out arms and legs suggest violence of the situation.” Even though, she was not a direct victim of violence the circumstances and events in which she was apart of changes the way she sees society and the world. How we deal with pain is just apart of who we are. We might break down and often appear broken, however, it is up to us if we will let it control us or motivate us to do better.

In conclusion,  everyone defines what identity means to them in different way because we are all different people. What might be important to me might not be as important to someone else and that is okay. The different artist introduced to you above all  are able to depict their identity by creating unique ways to show the viewer what is important to them. They allow the viewer to see from their perspective what makes them a unique individual.  Whether they are making a statement or simply just painting a picture for us, they are at the end of the day letting us know who they really are, and that is all they can do.