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Who are you really and who is to judge?
I am currently reading a biography of the famous American Indian writer and early conservationist, Grey Owl who lived in Canada in the early 1900’s. He is interesting in the fact that at the time of his death in the late 1930’s after he had become famous through his books on conservation and his World lecture tours, it was revealed that his real name was Archibald Bellany , born in England and totally English in his racial background.
What is interesting I think ( and relevant to us ) is that for all his life he tried to be an Indian , learning the bushcraft and skills he would need, reading all he could about these people and training his will to live the life when he finally had the chance. At age 17 , he went to Canada and within a year , he was passing himself off as a part Indian ( part Scottish ) and his skills were such that few doubted him , even his wife. The Ojibway people accepted him as one of their kind and he lived that life until he died.It occurs to me that he really was an Indian from an early age as he saw himself that way , lived that way and was accepted by that Community as one of their own ( though in fact they knew he was not Indian genetically.) Many Aboriginal people are part European genetically and yet think of themselves ( identify) and are accepted in that community as Aboriginal despite outward signs to the contrary.
I think that self identity is the crux of the issue here.
I wonder then what makes us ” real ” and where we draw lines and who is to judge? All relevant to the transgender experience I think. What about your thoughts?
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3 Replies
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Interesting question! Most are trying to say I am a woman. But a woman would answer something like housewife, mother or by their profession. This is because they are female and do not need to convince themselves or others.
Most of us say we do not like the transexual label but the world works with labels because of questions like who are you. Your name is a label. Who are you is most answered with your name but when chatting the next thing they will ask is what do you do. The answer will give the other person a lot of information to work into the next part of the conversation based on thing they know about your profession. Most people would assume you are fairly well to do if you say doctor.
I am me but at this point in time I am female in mind if not body.
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To clarify, I am not so much asking for personal stories about who we think we are but a more general discussion on identity and how we reach that idea of ourselves. Thinking more on this , it occurred to me that from the outside others judge who we are and that might be a lot different from how we see ourselves. For instance, someone may be seen as an unsuccessful person by general standards but may be debt free, happy and contented doing the things in life that are important to them ( I am naming noone!!) This person may see them selves as successful by their own standards but a loser ( they may drive an old car and not be ” wealthy”) by community standards.
I am interested how we get our identity.Moderator
Quote:Thanks for trying to focus the thread to discuss what YOU are interested in! I’m purging posts which appear to have no direct relationship to the question you are asking -
Hi I did meet an indian Shaman and know my animal spirit is wolf, I know whare you lead Christie, A person who has no penthouse and no BMW may be rich in friends. As to who jugdes you? Well I think we judge ourselfs! And may I add ladies we tend to over judge to much! Relax and be happy with who you are then you are rich as human with a soul!
