Constructed Identities

In one of my lectures, my professor taught on constructed identities. A constructed identity is created through what people are taught by society and their family. These identities made by people create stereotypes. People turn others into strange people or just different from them. People do this because they do not try to find out what others are really like. We also tend to identify ourselves with what we are not. You will hear people say, “I won’t let ____ happen here”, or “we won’t let ____happen here”. One example of that is how people felt about terrorism. No one in the U.S. thought something like September 11th would happen here. Americans identify themselves as a country where the people don’t have to live in fear because of its power and strength. This is also making an identity for the countries that do have bombing and terrorism constantly going on there. American exceptionalism is the notion that the U.S. is blessed, unique, and has a never-ending wealth. I know I have this mind-set. I do not live in fear of my life, I do not wonder if I will have enough food for tomorrow, and I do not worry about having a job and being able to afford a living. I take all these things for granted, as I am sure most others in America do, and this is what other countries use to create their identity of the U.S. From this lecture, I became more aware of stereotypes and how I can try not to stereotype. I must also take the time to learn about others and research on other countries before I say anything about them.