Philosophy of Identity

We are all labelled by the people around us. Be it the names which have been pasted on us or the physical features, we are always labelled. WIth this labelling comes societal pressures. People who see themselves as belonging to a specific community strive to impose certain expectations on others whom they label as part of the community.

For a person who is born into a Chinese family in a competitive society, the labels of a Chinese female who is asian is expected to behave in a certain way.

I do not agree with this idea. We are all born free into this world. It does not matter if we have been born white or black or yellow. We are individuals with the freedom to choose. Freedom to choose the kind of values which are in alignment to our personal comfort zones. Freedom to choose the attitudes which we believe in. Not any other values and attitudes imposed upon us by others. I have the freedom to choose. My identity is not shaped by labels. My destiny is not shaped by labels.

I choose to align myself and my personal identity with the group of people I can trust and agree with. This group of people need not necessarily be of the same skin colour or background.

Humans are linked to one another through genetics. In a way, there is how we procreate. This is how any living species multiply. Even so, this genetic link does not shape one's destiny. It does not shape one's identity. Only when someone places this on the pedestal and look upon it as a form of affirmation will it become part of that person's identity.

I believe in the freedom to choose the values and attitudes that I am most comfortable with. I am merely a statistic engulfed in this society which tries very hard to impose their way of live onto me. But no matter how hard they try, they will not succeed. Reason being, I do not identify myself with the values and beliefs of this society. I belong to a totally different realm of existence.

I realise that I am not angry with them. I am just irritated because they are forcing their beliefs on me. They are trying to penetrate the shield around me and infect me with the virus so that I will conform and behave according to what they dictate.

I am an individual with my own ideas and mindset. I have the freedom to choose and not confirm. I have the right to my personal space and way of thinking. I am not hostile to anyone as long as they do not provoke me or try to impose their way of live on me. I respect their choices, so why can't they respect mine?

I am not a puppet or a slave. I am me. Someone who is not shaped by her name, race, nationality or skin colour. Just me.