Understanding My Identities and How They Shape My Communication

If I think about my identity groups, I am aware that I am part of many, sometimes simultaneously. I am also Indian, Hindu, male, young adult, international student, part-time worker, and someone living in Canada. Each of these identities can also be in conflict with the other. For now, I was trained to communicate back home, which is more indirect and respectful, whereas in Canada, communication is more direct. Consequently, I have to code switch at times for myself depending on the audience. I change with my tone, my body language, even my use of eye contact. Identity, language and nonverbal communication all influence how people express themselves. Chapters 5 and 6 are telling us so much about this and I can see it in my own life just not a little every day. In addition, I am from a minority group, as I am not part of the cultural majority in Canada. I do have incidents where someone, simply because of who I am in the past, takes the assumption that I don’t know anything or speak English very well. From these moments, I’m reminded of how identity shapes our perception, even before we speak. Many ways, different things have changed the way I have had a sense of identity through the years. Hitching a ride to another country has broadened the way I see myself. All I can think is I am less of one thing — I am more than one culture and experiences. I believe I will keep to be different as I get to know new people, learn new things and live adaptively. Chapter 6 claims that identity is dynamic. Now I have a real understanding of that. Who can be sexist or racist: I think anybody can be sexist or racist. It depends not only on identity, but also actions and attitudes. For example, women might be sexist toward men and people of colour can be racist toward other groups of people. It is predicated on stereotypes, bias, and differential treatment.