Aquino 1

Alyssa Aquino
Jennifer Rodrick
English 114B
March 15, 2016
Inner Space
When it comes to identity, we think about how its been evolving as we grow up.
Through the use of technology, it has been evolving our minds to second guess our own
thoughts. It holds us back from stating our own opinions. I look back sometimes and realize how
my fashion and music sense was totally dragging me down back then. Going to a Catholic school
for 9 years, we were required to be responsible to wear plaid, black and white jumpsuits every
day and as a result, I didnt have a sense to what Ive always wanted to wear. Aside from that, I
would always feel like my music taste would be horrid because I would only listen to radio
music. Stereotypes rise to the extent that starts to change how we are today. And until this day, I
know that Ive conformed to so many things that made me how I am physically and mentally,
hence why I believe that our identities been shaped by our surroundings rather than performative.
It has fully shown us that we are pulling away ourselves from society because we feel ashamed
to show our interests.
During my private school days, my school would usually host a weekly free dress
event where students can dress in any way they want to in exchange for $1. Whenever I dress up
for it, I would hear judgments. As a teen, I strictly shop at the most fashionable, trendy retail
stores. Growing up as as a teen is the stage where they try so many different things that will
shape who they are today. For example, fashion is really hard to express ourselves. According to
an article called Why the Hipster Effect Breeds Conformity is Inescapable written by Claudia

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Rogge, they talk about how these so-called hipsters are located almost everywhere and how
they make the same fashion choices. The reason for that is the time it takes for an individual to
register the decisions

of others. You

cannot be aware of

what other

people decide in real

time, it takes a

little while (Rogge

5). I believe that

in time it will take us

to realize how we

want to dress like

because we see

people following that

trend. Taking in

effect that probably a

person was

judged on their

fashion will alter

their minds to follow

the fashionable

trend.
In addition, music has been a big influence to all of us today as it also populates our
identity. However, people usually hide what they listen to because its not part of todays hits.
For example, raves started to develop just recently. Raves are large dance parties featuring
performances by DJs and occasionally live performers playing electronic dance music (EDM).
According to an article written by Lauren Duca, she discusses the rise of raves. The sense of
community draws people (Duca 12). Nowadays, people have been attending raves as they rise
up to the population. More than 5 raves are hosted every year and more people start to convert to
EDM as it sparks throughout so many conversations. As teens turn 18, they start to save up
money just to attend these raves. They initiate pleasure and to be worry free for a while. Raves

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are making oldies music disappear slowly. As we grow up, we are bound to physically change
how we are as we see how society is changing as well.
The way we portray ourselves physically isnt the only way. Mentally, we think of how to
improve ourselves to fit in. Through culture, people start to forget their own culture and
convert to the culture around them. For example, African Americans are being bombarded
because of their culture. According to an article called Black Men in Public Space featured in
The Norton Reader, Brent Staples talks about how he was seen as a mugger as they would say.
Id come into the ability to alter public space in ugly ways (Staples 188). Today, Black
people are seen as criminals who would do anything to get things out of the way. Staples was so
ashamed of their culture that he tries to adapt to a new culture, trying to avoid shameful
judgments from other people. I now take precautions to make myself less threatening. I move
about with care, particularly late in the evening (Staples 190) This shows how conforming to
a new culture just so people wont judge you for your color creates many stereotypes for our
people. In addition, we are afraid to show how we are, sexually. A lot of people are afraid to
come out of the closet. For example, in an article called What Is a Homosexual written by
Andrew Sullivan, he portrays his story of how scared he was to reveal who he truly is. No
homosexual child surrounded overwhelmingly by heterosexuals, will feel at home in his sexual
and emotional world, even in the most tolerant of cultures." (Sullivan 128) Its pretty difficult to
come out of the closet when one wouldnt know what the judgments and reactions would be. We
assume that every one of us will have the same assumption of how we see other people. Our
reactions will mostly be either be shocked, disgusted, or even, scared. It seems natural but
honestly its not. Overtime, people will look at this a better perspective and become mature about
it. It just takes time and consideration to take it all in. However, as they grow up, theyll have a

Aquino 4
harder time to be accepted as they are. This is why people are so hesitant to show who they really
are so they conform and go with the flow.
We are also basically shaped by the people who we live with on a daily basis. Whether
its parents or guardians, we are bound to adapt what they are accustomed to because they
believe it would be beneficial to us. For example, my morals are formed because of how my
parents raised me. They decided send me to an elementary school because they want me to
follow their steps. According to their website (www.stdomincla.us) their school statements
include having a firm foundation in, knowledge of, and love of the Faith, actively participates in
the Mass,

sacraments, and

traditions, and

values the diversity

of all Gods

people. Now, this

made me think that

being Catholic was

everyones

religions. The way I

act, respect, and

present towards

others are because

of what I learned

during my

elementary days. To

further support

this, an article called

The Familys

Influence on Identity

written by Martha Holden, she says that families can shape our political identity. Additionally,
children who engage in political discussions with their parents are more likely to follow their
parents political views (Holden 14). We look up to our parents as a power of authority. We
believe that what they say will totally benefit us and makes us good as a whole. So we basically
follow them and think that we would be doing the right deed causing us to shape our behavior.

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In conclusion, who we are today originates from so many things. From technology to
even our own surroundings, it shapes us. Through conformity, we hold back our own thoughts
and second guess them, we change how we are physically and mentally. Our cultures dont really
matter to what wed be doing today than the culture around us. Even our parents can shape how
we are because we live with them every day until a certain age. Growing up as a conformist, I
realize this is mostly what I really am, just because I started to get used to it. I started to speak up
more often when needed, started to get out of my comfort zone, etc.

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Works Cited
Duca, Lauren. "The Truth About EDM Culture Beyond All Those Drug Use Statistics."
Huffingtonpost.com. N.p., 28 June 2015. Web.
Holden, Martha. "The Family's Influence on Identity." Everyday Life. N.p., n.d. Web.
Northum, MK. Truth of Stereotypes. N.d. N.p. (photo)
Rogge, Claudia. "Why the Hipster Effect Breeds Conformity, Is Inescapable."
Oystermag.com. N.p., 5 Nov. 2014. Web.
Staples, Brent. "Black and Public Space." The Norton Reader; an Anthology of
Expository Prose. New York: Norton, 1969. N. pag. Print.
Toos, Andrew. Sheep Conformity. N.d. N.p. (photo)