Monica's Identity Map
My Diffferent Identites Analyzed Through 8 Frameworks
Daughter
Musician
Youngest of 3 & only girl
(Retired) "drummer" at heart
Sushi & KBBQ Addict
NorthwesternStudent
Food is my specialty
Undergrad at NU ...and beyond
Soror
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
African American
I'm Black and proud
Night Owl
(Alt) Rock Enthusiast
A vampire, if you will.
Don't pass me the aux
Goffman's Identity as performance, face work
Growing up, family said "fix your face" when angry or even resting neutral. They would also ask if I was okay when nothing was wrong. This forced me to maintain a resting smile to not offend, as my skin already made me seem hostile. The sweet, docile, front stage appearance I had to maintain as a daughter was extensive, and took a lot of energy to maintain. After high school, I let it go.
Daughter
Background
Goffman views everyday life as a performance, with front stage (public) and back stage (private) selves managing impressions. The theory reveals how I curate a "responsible student" front stage for my family as daughter, masking back-stage doubts. However, it misses how some front stage identities come from survival. For me, I am constantly smiling to counter stereotypes about Black women being hostile, rejecting the angry identity society forced on me.
Back stage
Back stage I am often stressed and anxious, but also hopeful and excited about my performance and overall future. The temperment I have on the outside is self-protection, and I love being inquisitive and asking questions over blind obedience. My front stage beliefs, mannerisms, and body language as a daughter are signifigantly different than day-to-day identities as a person.
Front Stage
As a daughter, my front stage is responsible, doing well at school, a bit temperamental.
stets and burke - two theories of identity
Soror in AKA
Stets and Burke describe two theories that they belive are complementary, but distinct. Stryker's Identity Theory focuses on identities from occupying specific social roles, while Tajfel's Social Identity Theory emphasizes group categorization and in-group/out-group dynamics. I completely agree with the analysis of the two theories of identity. While I may be categorized as a "sorority girl" to most, rushing a historically Black sorority tells a different story. In the U.S., we (Alpha Kappa Alpha) accomplished the first mobile clinic and were the first Black college sorority to exist, giving me pride in our history. However, non-NPHC Greeks often don't know who we are, thus excluding us from top campus events. The in-group and out-group dynamics are striking even within Greek life.
This social dilemma makes me discouraged at times, doubting myself and our overall signifigance. However, when I am around my Sorors, I feel accomplished and proud of organizations like ours. This leaves me with two identities: one with the Sorors and one without. While I should only have pride, the desire to fit in on campus leaves me with two split identities.
Becker's labeling theory
Sushi & KBBQ Addict
Becker argues that labels assigned by society stick and shape self-perception and behavior. My friends call me a sushi and KBBQ addict, though I only get sushi 1-2 times weekly and KBBQ monthly. I choose them for nutrition, protein, and value. They are also better than dining hall food, and I do not have a fridge. While others confidently spend on food without worry, my low-income/FGLI identity doesn't allow that freedom. The "addict" label makes me feel picky or posh, so I over-explain my sushi and KBBQ choices to preserve my money-conscious image and prevent friends from viewing me differently.
Fanon and dubois - Non-eurocentric identity
African American
DuBois termed the theory of Double Consciousness: external and internal. He claims that Black people see themselves through both their eyes and a racist society's eyes. Fanon describes identity is mediated between the "colonizer" and the "colonized," and acts as a sense of permanence. Externally, I feel that my identity as a "Black" woman is imposed on me through social media, policy, and even other Black people around me. Internally, I feel that there is a split between my own sense of self, and what is expected of me. As the theorists note, this has created ongoing self-vigilance and monitoring throughout my life.
2025 NU Black to School BBQ...That's me in the white!
At NU, this created a lot of tension for me. I thought that all Black people were similar, faced similar stuggles, and held similar beliefs. However, I quickly saw that my identity as an African American was distinct and unique from other Black peers.Balancing cultural pride with feeling "othered" is a big problem for me, and I am still navigating it.
Erickson and Arnett - Psychological models of identity
Student
Erikson describes identity development through stages and crises. Arnett identifies that this is especially the case in emerging adulthood where people explore roles before commitment. As a student, these models are especially important in my navigation of life. At NU, I am able to test academic rigor against hobbies and passions through distros and electives. At times, I find myself struggling to choose, and end up in a spiraling crisis. I ask myself: do I want to priotize money? Do I want to prioritize a happy life? Are both attainable?
College opens the door to these questions. Specifically as an NU student, my identity includes doing Y AND Z, asking questions, exploring the world, challenging preconceptions, placing into a well-paid career, declaring another major and/or minors, and making everything fit into my schedule.
Crenshaw's intersectionality theory
Musician
Crenshaw explains how race, gender, class intersect to create unique experiences. As a Black female musician, I have experienced compounded barriers but also unique strengths. When I performed on the drums, I challenged both "incompetent Black woman" and "delicate female artist" stereotypes simultaneously, creating a space that was distinctly mine and for women like me. Although it did get me into shape, I began to grow weary of how "manly" I looked. I have always worried about my body image because of societal pressures and sterotypes, but being in the drumline made it worse. Eventually, in high school I was hate crimed by another musician, resulting in me giving up the passion, permanently.
bronfenbrenner's contextualism
Night Owl
Bronfenbrenner sees identity shaped by nested ecological systems like family, school, community, and culture that interact over time. For me, my dorm life (microsystem) constantly conflicts with my academic schedule (mesosystem) and interactions with family (microsystem), community (exosystem), and campus culture (macrosystem).Late at night, I have the most energy, productivity, and creative flow. However, this energy spike clashes with my morning classes, and hallway noise close to/after midnight disturbs me. These interruptions leave me overwhelmed, which usually impacts my other systems negatively. For example, I'm probably known as not be the nicest person on my hall since I am not afriad to tell people quiet down, report them, and knock on doors.
Mclean and moin - master narratives
(Alt) Rock Enthusiast
McLean and Moin describe master narratives as culturally shared stories like "rock music and country is for White people" that we internalize and live by. As an alt-rock enthusiast, I resist this by embracing rock's Black origins. My grandma introduced me to rock 'n' roll, leading to a passion for alt rock and indie. Black people aren't supposed to "claim" rock, but my alternative narrative reclaims it. Even resisting still validates the racial music boxes according to the authors, but I choose to live beyond cultural expectations. I usually don't take the aux around my friends, which shows I still feel some shame. However, I am never afraid to inform others about its history and my experience.
Monica's Identity Map
Monica Young
Created on February 11, 2026
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Transcript
Monica's Identity Map
My Diffferent Identites Analyzed Through 8 Frameworks
Daughter
Musician
Youngest of 3 & only girl
(Retired) "drummer" at heart
Sushi & KBBQ Addict
NorthwesternStudent
Food is my specialty
Undergrad at NU ...and beyond
Soror
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
African American
I'm Black and proud
Night Owl
(Alt) Rock Enthusiast
A vampire, if you will.
Don't pass me the aux
Goffman's Identity as performance, face work
Growing up, family said "fix your face" when angry or even resting neutral. They would also ask if I was okay when nothing was wrong. This forced me to maintain a resting smile to not offend, as my skin already made me seem hostile. The sweet, docile, front stage appearance I had to maintain as a daughter was extensive, and took a lot of energy to maintain. After high school, I let it go.
Daughter
Background
Goffman views everyday life as a performance, with front stage (public) and back stage (private) selves managing impressions. The theory reveals how I curate a "responsible student" front stage for my family as daughter, masking back-stage doubts. However, it misses how some front stage identities come from survival. For me, I am constantly smiling to counter stereotypes about Black women being hostile, rejecting the angry identity society forced on me.
Back stage
Back stage I am often stressed and anxious, but also hopeful and excited about my performance and overall future. The temperment I have on the outside is self-protection, and I love being inquisitive and asking questions over blind obedience. My front stage beliefs, mannerisms, and body language as a daughter are signifigantly different than day-to-day identities as a person.
Front Stage
As a daughter, my front stage is responsible, doing well at school, a bit temperamental.
stets and burke - two theories of identity
Soror in AKA
Stets and Burke describe two theories that they belive are complementary, but distinct. Stryker's Identity Theory focuses on identities from occupying specific social roles, while Tajfel's Social Identity Theory emphasizes group categorization and in-group/out-group dynamics. I completely agree with the analysis of the two theories of identity. While I may be categorized as a "sorority girl" to most, rushing a historically Black sorority tells a different story. In the U.S., we (Alpha Kappa Alpha) accomplished the first mobile clinic and were the first Black college sorority to exist, giving me pride in our history. However, non-NPHC Greeks often don't know who we are, thus excluding us from top campus events. The in-group and out-group dynamics are striking even within Greek life.
This social dilemma makes me discouraged at times, doubting myself and our overall signifigance. However, when I am around my Sorors, I feel accomplished and proud of organizations like ours. This leaves me with two identities: one with the Sorors and one without. While I should only have pride, the desire to fit in on campus leaves me with two split identities.
Becker's labeling theory
Sushi & KBBQ Addict
Becker argues that labels assigned by society stick and shape self-perception and behavior. My friends call me a sushi and KBBQ addict, though I only get sushi 1-2 times weekly and KBBQ monthly. I choose them for nutrition, protein, and value. They are also better than dining hall food, and I do not have a fridge. While others confidently spend on food without worry, my low-income/FGLI identity doesn't allow that freedom. The "addict" label makes me feel picky or posh, so I over-explain my sushi and KBBQ choices to preserve my money-conscious image and prevent friends from viewing me differently.
Fanon and dubois - Non-eurocentric identity
African American
DuBois termed the theory of Double Consciousness: external and internal. He claims that Black people see themselves through both their eyes and a racist society's eyes. Fanon describes identity is mediated between the "colonizer" and the "colonized," and acts as a sense of permanence. Externally, I feel that my identity as a "Black" woman is imposed on me through social media, policy, and even other Black people around me. Internally, I feel that there is a split between my own sense of self, and what is expected of me. As the theorists note, this has created ongoing self-vigilance and monitoring throughout my life.
2025 NU Black to School BBQ...That's me in the white!
At NU, this created a lot of tension for me. I thought that all Black people were similar, faced similar stuggles, and held similar beliefs. However, I quickly saw that my identity as an African American was distinct and unique from other Black peers.Balancing cultural pride with feeling "othered" is a big problem for me, and I am still navigating it.
Erickson and Arnett - Psychological models of identity
Student
Erikson describes identity development through stages and crises. Arnett identifies that this is especially the case in emerging adulthood where people explore roles before commitment. As a student, these models are especially important in my navigation of life. At NU, I am able to test academic rigor against hobbies and passions through distros and electives. At times, I find myself struggling to choose, and end up in a spiraling crisis. I ask myself: do I want to priotize money? Do I want to prioritize a happy life? Are both attainable?
College opens the door to these questions. Specifically as an NU student, my identity includes doing Y AND Z, asking questions, exploring the world, challenging preconceptions, placing into a well-paid career, declaring another major and/or minors, and making everything fit into my schedule.
Crenshaw's intersectionality theory
Musician
Crenshaw explains how race, gender, class intersect to create unique experiences. As a Black female musician, I have experienced compounded barriers but also unique strengths. When I performed on the drums, I challenged both "incompetent Black woman" and "delicate female artist" stereotypes simultaneously, creating a space that was distinctly mine and for women like me. Although it did get me into shape, I began to grow weary of how "manly" I looked. I have always worried about my body image because of societal pressures and sterotypes, but being in the drumline made it worse. Eventually, in high school I was hate crimed by another musician, resulting in me giving up the passion, permanently.
bronfenbrenner's contextualism
Night Owl
Bronfenbrenner sees identity shaped by nested ecological systems like family, school, community, and culture that interact over time. For me, my dorm life (microsystem) constantly conflicts with my academic schedule (mesosystem) and interactions with family (microsystem), community (exosystem), and campus culture (macrosystem).Late at night, I have the most energy, productivity, and creative flow. However, this energy spike clashes with my morning classes, and hallway noise close to/after midnight disturbs me. These interruptions leave me overwhelmed, which usually impacts my other systems negatively. For example, I'm probably known as not be the nicest person on my hall since I am not afriad to tell people quiet down, report them, and knock on doors.
Mclean and moin - master narratives
(Alt) Rock Enthusiast
McLean and Moin describe master narratives as culturally shared stories like "rock music and country is for White people" that we internalize and live by. As an alt-rock enthusiast, I resist this by embracing rock's Black origins. My grandma introduced me to rock 'n' roll, leading to a passion for alt rock and indie. Black people aren't supposed to "claim" rock, but my alternative narrative reclaims it. Even resisting still validates the racial music boxes according to the authors, but I choose to live beyond cultural expectations. I usually don't take the aux around my friends, which shows I still feel some shame. However, I am never afraid to inform others about its history and my experience.