Bianca Brucato

September 10, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

“Identity”

            What is someone’s identity? Is it their appearance, their character, their language, or their background? In the passage “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzaldua, Gloria talks about how her language is a huge part of her identity. Anzaldua describes that finding her identity, which is her language, is important because it defines you. I agree that having your own identity is important; identity is what defines you on the inside and out.  It can be your physical traits along with your internal traits.

            Identity can be many things. It could be your physical appearance that separates you from another. Your hair, weight, and height can all play a huge part in defining your identity. This is important because it can help us to be unique from one another and often determines what others think of you. Even though this may be unfair, most people judge you on your appearance.  The way people perceive you based off your appearance can lead people to believe you to be a certain way. These inferences can lead people to make accusations and assumptions on your identity.

            Our actions can also be a huge part of our identity.  How you act can truly define who you are. Actions play a magnificent part in defining our identity because who you are or how you are perceived is judged based upon your actions. This can be unfair at times. This is the main way to get to know and trust someone because you cannot see true thoughts or intentions without acting upon them. Your actions can define who you truly are because we are responsible for the choices we make that can affect others and ourselves. If we choose to make good decisions and choices this can shape our identity in a positive way. If we make bad choices this can shape our identity in a negative way. Actions can define who you are by showing your likes and dislikes, your ethnicity, culture, and many other things that shape your identity. Having an identity that you are proud of is important because it is a reflection of who you are.  

            Our identity is important because it is a reflection of who we are and who we want to be. Your identity is how you see yourself, so it is important that you are proud of your identity so you ultimately can be proud in yourself.  Your identity is what defines you and your character. Identity is possessed by everyone in the world, everyone’s identity is different than others which is what makes identity important. Your identity is what should be most important to you being it is, you.

            In “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzadula, she expresses the effects of shaping ones identity, but expresses the importance of language. Anzadula’s identity is her language. She is constantly being pressured to conform to American traditions and give up her native tongue. For example, when Anzadula went to the dentist office she was frustrated by the dentist’s overbearing remarks by saying, “We’re going to have to control your tongue.” Despite the fact the dentist was referring to her accent, Anzadula was constantly worried about how people viewed her based on her language. Despite all of these pressures to conform Anzadula stayed true to her language, Chicano Spanish. Anzadula said, “We know how to survive. When other races have given up their tongue, we’ve kept ours.” Anzadula refuses to give up her language because she would be giving up her identity.

            Identity is an important part of who we are. It defines who we are as a person on the inside and out.  It can be your appearance, character, actions, or even your language. Anzadula stays true to her language, which is a huge part of her identity. Giving up her language would be giving up a piece of herself. It is important to stay true to your identity because it defines you.