Belonging Involves Conforming and a Loss of Identity - Expository Essay
The foundation of belonging is often associated with the loss of a person’s individuality. Indeed, as the construction of one’s identity is highly intricate and ever – changing, several authorities often considers its development to be associated with our relationships. From this, it can be shown that belonging can be associated with the degradation of one’s identity. Such impact can be explained through the reality that in order to belong, we must share similar characteristics or identity with that group however this can involve enhancing character’s identity. Nonetheless, due to its complexities, for some, belonging can threaten a person’s identity and individuality.
In order to belong – we must share similar characteristic to a particular group. The characteristics we have, has a strong influence on which group we truly belong to. This may be despite personality, interests, values, beliefs and anything beneath the skin. In the film Skin, the protagonist Sandra has dark – skin and other African characteristics despite her white parents. In the early stages of Sandra’s life, she has constantly battled to feel a sense of belonging, such as when she went to the all – white school. Sandra felt alone being the only child with dark – skin and was kicked out for being a ‘disturbance.’ She was exposed to this kind of discrimination at an early stage in life so as she grew older, her urge to belong led to marrying an African man. She finally felt she belonged with her husband and the rest of the black community, she was no different and didn’t need to self – harm to become ‘white’ in order to belong. In the midst of a time when there was prevalent discrimination and prejudice against the African people, Sandra could only belong to a community the same skin colour as herself. We mustn’t forget to consider the role segregation plays when discussing belonging. At the time of Sandra’s generation in America, people felt that white people belonged in a white community
In order to belong – we must share similar characteristic to a particular group. The characteristics we have, has a strong influence on which group we truly belong to. This may be despite personality, interests, values, beliefs and anything beneath the skin. In the film Skin, the protagonist Sandra has dark – skin and other African characteristics despite her white parents. In the early stages of Sandra’s life, she has constantly battled to feel a sense of belonging, such as when she went to the all – white school. Sandra felt alone being the only child with dark – skin and was kicked out for being a ‘disturbance.’ She was exposed to this kind of discrimination at an early stage in life so as she grew older, her urge to belong led to marrying an African man. She finally felt she belonged with her husband and the rest of the black community, she was no different and didn’t need to self – harm to become ‘white’ in order to belong. In the midst of a time when there was prevalent discrimination and prejudice against the African people, Sandra could only belong to a community the same skin colour as herself. We mustn’t forget to consider the role segregation plays when discussing belonging. At the time of Sandra’s generation in America, people felt that white people belonged in a white community