Fartun Ahmed

Identity is a force of elaboration, an intentional accessible arrangement of the basic notion of who we are as individuals. The human being or in this case the identity is not outlined by a single construct, but by the interactions of numerous arrangements of which one is a part of. So, with that firm assertion what is identity, or in like terms what is the force, which drives the concept of identity to bare so much resemblance to our lives. The root of identity comes from the philosophical discipline, once again the conception of questioning our individualism or what makes us who we are. The word identity means or is used to portray a person’s formation and appearance of their eccentricity or group association(s). In the more legitimate definition, most commonly found in dictionaries the concept of identity is the “collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing is definitively recognizable or known.” The question of identity has arisen several times in the last few centuries, the identity of politics, nationalism, religion, culture, and even the social being have come into questioning. Who we are as individuals and who we are supposed to be is the center of where the battle starts. It’s a silent revolution, which is challenging the old concepts of identity and linking this with the new inclination of being able to have multiple identities in a civilization, which is constructed to do exactly that to the individual.

Considering the societal construction of identity it would be silly to ignore the perception of having a multiple one, its not a disease or a psychological disorder in this case. As unique individuals we must assess our own identities and what makes us who we are, and without experimenting with our surroundings we cannot answer that question. Having a multiple identity strings from the customary thought of being exposed to a world which is superior to our eyesight. So, in a rough estimate, individuals ultimately create their identity around that which they know it to be, allowing them to have more “know” allows them to have more to identify with. Ones identity can consist of several distinctive things, it can be as simple as I am a man or woman, or even as detailed, as I am a heterosexual or a homosexual, that itself is an identity. Craving out an identity is not easy, and throughout history we can see many groups, which struggled with the notion of bringing about their identities, especially in such an ever-changing world. It would be a mistake to expect people to formulate who they are around just their religion, culture, language, or even nationality. Numerous groups of people have struggled with the question of identity, more overly on the very matter of coming into a new environment and once again formulating their very own existence. There have been triumphs, and certainly many difficulties, but in the end what was produced was multiple credentials. Through historical examples like the Jewish or Irish community we see what has been overcome, but with a newer community, the Somali community, we see a colorful array of what these credentials are really worth.

For decades, group after group has had to deal with the question of identity within a western mindset. For example the Jewish community immigrating in large numbers to America after World War Two had to ask the very same question which many immigrant communities are asking today. With very strong religious beliefs, they fled Europe in hopes of being able to find religious tolerance, so their religious identity was vital to their existence, but at the same time they had been Europeans, but now Americans and raising not only children in America but generations to come. Not only did they succeed in preserving their religious identity of being Jews, but they also kept their roots of Europeanism, in bringing about the cultural traditions, which set them apart from many like-minded Americans. Even through that they embarked on Americanizing their identity and became fully integrated into a society, which they have become among the most powerful. So now reinstating the question of having a multiple identity, is this not an example of being more than one?

In the case of the Irish Catholics from Ireland, even as their very ship was landing, this community’s journey to America became a fight for continued existence. Thousands upon thousands of men, typically materialistic, flocked on the ship capturing the Irish immigrants and their belongings compelling them to their desired apartments and then demanding an despicable amount of money for their service needs. The poverty-stricken Irish immigrant community had no resources to move on, they created settlements in the docks of their arrival, usually resulting in very bad and unlivable conditions. Charity based apartments were crammed with these immigrants. They solicited everywhere, and many times on the streets, once again begging for anything that anyone could provide for them. They struggled not just as a nation but also with their religious affiliation as they had not only brought their suitcases with them, but they had brought Catholicism. Many non-Catholics disagreed on how they practiced and even identified with religion, such a group was the Protestant sect, which was very anti-Catholicism at the time. No one group has ever been measured lower than the Irish community in the United States during the 1850s, but nevertheless this community was among the most exceptional immigrant community in the United States, they intensely cherished America but by no means ever gave up their allegiance and loyalty to Ireland. This again demonstrates another community, which created a multiple identity of being Irish, Catholic, and American citizens who in the end became part of the American mirage.

A more contemporary local example would be that of the Somali community. Immigrating to the United States in huge numbers in the early 1990’s this community has settled its largest population in the very state of Minnesota. In a brief history the Republic of Somalia has had its ups and downs with unrest, starting with a war, which broke out in the early 90’s. Years of tribalism, warlords, and even religious conflict have been prevalent since that time. With these conflicts came unbearable life situations and many people searched for opportunities all over the world, mainly the western continents. The country of Somalia had one distinctive feature people were very similar in that there was one main culture, which was practiced, and maintained throughout the family lineage. Religion was also a main source of identity and the majority if not all Somalis practiced Islam so Islam in a sense became a part of Somalia, it was in fact expected that to be a Somali meant to be a Muslim. The identity of this community was very simple and set; they were Somali in everything and in every way. That was it. But that identity could not go as far as the very borders of the country. In becoming nationals of other countries, things changed, the notion of being just Somali could not exist any longer. Currently concentrating on America, the Somali community is struggling with the question of identity because culture is an identity, religion is an identity, nationality is an identity, and so on. So being Somalis, who are Muslims, and in America, what is ones identity? The notion of having a multiple identity is once again something, which our civilization is pushing us to create, because we are living in a world where people are more connected than ever, thus allowing individuals to create more than one identity. This community must rest with the standard of being able to have multiple identities, or in other words to be able to be Somalis who cherish there cultures and traditions, while being faithful to their religion of Islam, and at the same time being loyal citizens of America. Not one of these identities contradicts with the latter, in applying a contemporary viewpoint from a sociological perspective that is the only way in which such a community may survive.

Finally we all wonder and ask ourselves the questions of our identity. What is my identity? Who am I? And explicitly who am I first? Am I a Somali first? An American? Or even a Muslim? There is not a two second answer to that question. From my perspective I believe it to be very vital to understand what identity is and what it does. The fascination with identity in our society has caused an identity crisis in communities much like the Somali community. Without the notion of having a multiple identity we are left with two strings to pull on, the first is that of actually taking way from identity, and coming to the conclusion of having to choose a single characteristic. One can boil it down to saying I am a Somali or I am an American and it’s that simple. But bear in mind this leaves certain parts of you out which are very crucial. Also there is the notion of being able to have a multiple identity, but to go as far as listing them. For example one may say I Somali first, Muslim second, and American third. This concept is very challenging and can be very hazardous without understanding it because its “identity” being taken out of context, and everything has an appropriate context right? When you are at your senate district convention you are an American first, because being either a Somali or Muslim will not really matter in that setting. Thus the first itself has a context and that can only be determined by the setting or situation. As citizens of the world, we must nurture this notion of being able to have a multiple identity in our communities especially in western societies. As an individual I am a Minnesotan, Muslim, American, Somali, Hijabi, it’s who I am and each part contributes to my uniqueness. We don’t want to be a part of an intransigent identity but an embryonic identity, one, which penetrates through all pluralistic societies.