Identity

The technical term of 'identity' is used to describe a person's conception and expression of their individuality. My personal understanding of the term is that it is what makes each of us unique. The population of the human race is deeply diverse with a million possibilities of what builds up each individuals identity. Identity is a sense of who you are, it is a mixture of your experiences, likes, dislikes, beliefs and shared values with those you choose to share your life with.

Aside from each person's individual identity, most of us also have group affliations aswell. For example national identity and cultural identity ( these can be combined - being British and the culture that comes with this.) These are examples of affliations we are born into. We may also choose our own group identity like becoming part of a punk rock band. This group identity would include things such as the clothes you wear, the way in which you wear your hair, your group habits and things that you say and the music that you make.

Famous people often have strong public individual identities. These are aspects about them which the public view as what makes them iconic and recognisable. For instance Marilyn Monroe. Her physical look ( blonde curly hair, red lips flirty eye makeup, curvaceous body), being an actress and sex symbol, the image of her created by Andy Warhol, quotes and sayings said by her and her tragic death are all well known aspects of her identity as a famous woman. Celebrities are a good example that there are parts of our identity that are well known to others that we either choose to or can't help but display, but there are also parts of it that we choose to keep well hidden.