ClaytonEnglish 111, Section 2November 12, 1998Your Identity Has Been ConfirmedNell Bernstein is the author of "Goin' Gangsta, Choosin' Cholita: Claiming Identity," anessay describing how the youth in certain parts of the country are choosing their preferredidentity rather than accepting their own. For example, in Bernstein's essay a girl named April,living in California, wants to be Mexican; therefore, she dresses like and attempts to talk in thesame accent as a true Mexican, even though she is Anglo. The essay also specifically talks aboutthe state of California, where all this identity changing is happening due to the great diversity ofrace there. Bernstein claims that this is a positive situation when a youths choose an identityother than their own, "actual" one. Whatever makes them feel better or boosts their self-esteem isokay, I guess? But they still have to face the facts; they can not change their identity. I do notknow what dictionary Bernstein is reading, but the definition of identity does not include theword "appearance." Identity is who a person is, not who they appear to be. April can appear to beMexican if that is what she likes, but the fact is that she is still and always will be Anglo. Theidea of people trying to change their identity just strikes me with stupidity. It is God's decision asto what color, nationality or such a person will be, and I believe He has a purpose for everything;therefore, each person should respect His decision with acceptance and serve Him well under theidentity chosen for them.The biggest mistake of this essay is the misuse of the word "identity." Bernstein claimsthat, "Identity is not a matter of where you come from, what you were born into, what color yourskin is," but rather, "It's what you wear, the music you listen to, the words you use..." (45). Thisis all wrong! Identity is exactly what she thinks it is not. The color of one's skin describes theirrace. That is one piece of their iden...
