Why are you you? Identities we are, Identities we live with

When I came across this tag-line in a beach I visited  some time ago (Abu Dhabi) , I was attracted towards it, so I decided to to use it an interesting way to organize ourselves when we engage in our community work. And here is why? I am me and you are you, but what makes me, me and you, you?

The question still remains unanswered, what makes you, you? Just by uttering these words doesn’t give a proper answer. It’s just stating a fact without giving any reason. Although, it looks more of a philosophical question, it is very interesting to ponder upon. So, what do you think of this?

Let’s see. It is a though provoking way to revisit our identities and of others that has a great impact on us. We all have an awareness of who we are and no matter what language we speak, where we come from, the color of our skin, what we eat, how we dress, we still have different words that help us differentiate ourselves from one another. The concept of ‘individuality’ is well en-grained in all of us.

When I asked this question from my students, some of them said it's our physical appearance. 

The first obvious answer that anybody will think of is that how we look makes us, so I wasn't surprised by the responses I received. We all have our own bodies that comes in different shapes, colors and structures, so it reinforces the concepts of you, me, him, her and so forth.

Some suggested its' our intelligence (brain power) Although the brain is the part of the body, this can serve as an independent answer to our question. The brain stores all our memories and thought processes. Even our personalities exist because of the brain. So, it would be a natural answer that it is your brain that makes you, you.

Finally, some students yelled out their answers, saying it's our "thinking". Since,  consciousness is our basic awareness we gain of our individuality corresponding with the nature. People often think and say that it is the consciousness we all have in us that differs one individual from another.

Then we as a class got together and did the famous classroom activity named six blind men and the elephant (you may refer to the blog for the activity) We have always assumed ourselves to be unique and different than everyone else right, so I decided to make room for the students to understand that we are all different and how all the factors they suggested make us into what we are today. So instead of being judgmental, I invited them into a space where we learn to love each other and celebrate the differences we have, that makes us so unique and distinct from other species of the world. 

We did a small study on how our external environment we live in, which we often don't have a choice over to decide from the time of our birth that is largely impacted by the age, gender, race/ethnicity/sexual orientation and religious views and how they are revealed to us by the social structures we live in such as family, schools, university, and job to name a few. 

So, when we feel down, unwanted and hurt or isolated in a community, we can always ask ourselves why are you you? and reflect on the skills, experiences and stories we bring into a space to enrich the overall experience of that place and impact someone positively. 

Are you ready to accept your fellow brother and sister as they are? Think about it!