Community Organizing for Social Justice Teach-Out
Diversity & Dialogue / Lesson 2 of 7
Social Identity
6 minutes
Social identity is our sense of who we are based on the group(s) to which we belong. It provides both a source of pride, and a basis for prejudice.
Review the identity categories in the first column below and the example social identities in the second column. Determine which identities in the second column fit you best. Add any additional categories or identities that may be missing that factor as a part of your life.
| Identity Category | Social identity |
|---|---|
| Gender | male, female, transgender |
| Race | Latinx, Black, White |
| Ethnicity | Chinese, Italian, European-American |
| Sexual orientation | lesbian, gay, bisexual |
| Faith | Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Atheist |
| Social Class | lower, middle, upper |
| Age | young, middle-aged, elderly |
| Body size or type | overweight, thin, musculaar |
- Which category/identities do you identify with most?
- Which ones do you think about least?
- Which ones have the strongest effect on how you view yourself?
- Which ones have the greatest effect on how others view or treat you?
- What are some benefits of belonging to these groups?
- What are some disadvantages?
- In the discussion forum share the category/categories (add the identity only if you feel comfortable doing so) that you think of most in your community.