Identity Essay ( Revised )

However my parents aren’t the only parents who’ve made an impact. Queen Latifah credits her mother in her essay,” Who You Callin’ Bitch,” for her sense of self. In her essay she states, “I learned at an early age that nobody has the right to call me out of my name. The first time someone called me a tomboy I went home crying to my mother. She told me to go back out there and tell that boy, “You’re not a tomboy you’re athletic!” I define who I am. My mom planted a seed in my head that day.”(35, Who You Callin’ Bitch)

 In addition to Queen Latifah one other woman credits her family for her identity. In particular she credits her grandparents for her sense of self. Bell hooks demonstrates she not afraid to be herself in her essay “Baba and Daddy Gus”, this is a quote from her grandmother, “Ya have to be right with yaself in ya own heart – that’s all that matters.” Baba taught me to listen to my heart – to follow it.” Both of these women acknowledge their families for helping them become confident in who they are, along with encouraging them to stand up for what they believe in.


Personal beliefs help us decide where we stand in this world. As a result, beliefs can also define who we are. Some of my personal beliefs included are, we are who we decide to be and we can take guidance from those surrounding us, but in the end we take responsibility for ourselves. Other people like Queen Latifah believe, “A queen, a woman with self – esteem, handles adversity with grace. Even when her world is crumbling around her, she never lets her crown fall.”( 35,Who you Callin’ Bitch) Queen Latifah speaks out for women. In the same way she understands that life is hard and problems will be thrown in, but it’s how the situation is handled that gives the self deserving name of a “queen”.