Contextual Identity

Abstract

Identity is a complex construct, involving the integration of multiple views of oneself. We are individuals, members of families and communities, part of larger social groupings, such as race and class, and also part of the universal family of humans. This paper focuses on the importance of integrating group identity, both from minority and dominant positions, into a personal understanding of oneself and one's connections. Particular topics include: integration of group identities with individual ones; communication between people with different group identities; and implications for social change efforts.