Judgement is an unstoppable aspect of human nature.  We judge others based off appearance, personality, race, ethnicity, and many other things that help form our perception of the world around us.  Because of this, I believe that it is impossible to be completely un-identified in the modern world.  Although race relations have improved to a level never seen before in the United States, there is still a presence of judgement and identification based of race and ethnicity.  An individual may view themselves as having no ethnic identity however it is not completely up to them.  The world around us forms the majority of our ethnic identity because it is them who attach stereotypes and identifiers to each ethnic identity.  Even though one may believe they are above ethnic identification, others attach identity regardless.

     If one were to be completely un-identified, there would be some advantages as well as some major drawbacks.  By not having an ethnic identity, one could break through the barriers of racial and ethnic discrimination.  No longer would ethnicity or race be a factor in decisions regarding this individual in the social world as well as in the career of said individual.  No prejudice would be placed upon one who is un-identified and they would shed a factor in being judged by others.  However, by being un-identified, this person would lose a community full of support and acceptance.  An overbearing sense of loneliness would begin to take form as this individual without ethnic identity discovered how individual they really are.  Individuality is celebrated in our world, yet community is as well.  Without identity, there is no community.  

Assignment #2, Blog #1

If I were to begin performing a new ethnic identity, I would first look and aim to gear my appearance to what is most associated with that ethnicity.  So much of how we judge others is done so with first impressions and appearances, making the aesthetic appearance crucial in performing ethnicity. I would next look to cultural preferences of that particular ethnicity and adopt the values of that culture.  Not only the religious or spiritual cultural aspects of the ethnicity, but also the artistic and entertainment side of cultural identity.  Lastly, I think it is important to look at the history of the ethnicity in question.  By knowing the historical background of an ethnic group, I would be more able to empathize with other members of the ethnicity and become more apart of the larger group.  However, performing identity similar to Dick in Third Rock From The Sun in my eyes is not much different from what most do today.  We all belong to a certain ethnic group, and many act within the walls of each respective group.  Very few individuals engage in actions that differ from the "accepted" activities for a member of that particular ethnicity.