Identity: An Annotated Bibliography
Abdel-Magied, Yassmin. “What Does my Headscarf Mean to You?” TED, 27 May 2015, TEDxSouthBank,
https://www.ted.com/talks/yassmin_abdel_magied_what_does_my_headscarf_mean_to_you/up-next.
This TED Talk is about looking beyond one's “bias” or in other words, what one may assume one’s identity to be based on preconceived
notions. Abdel- Magied explains that she was born brown, female, and Muslim, which all play a part in shaping her identity, although there is much
more to her. She uses different pieces of clothing to express her identity, like her abaya which is a traditional Muslim clothing, construction gear to
show what she works as, and finally, reveals her everyday clothes. These all contribute to her identity, backing up her argument that you cannot
assume someone’s identity based on preconceived notions. This source is useful as the speaker added reliable facts and sources. For example, she
mentions that an experiment was done in 2012 by Yale University, using identical resumes for a lab technician. This resulted in finding out that
women are less likely to be offered the job, and paid less than men. This source helps shape the argument as it makes a point that identity is not
something one can assume based on bias.
Dillard, Annie. “Sojourners.” Teaching a Stone to Talk. Harper & Row, 1982.
This essay metaphorically represents the relationship and similarities between a mangrove tree and human identity. Dillard argues that once a
mangrove tree is adrift, it is able to find a way to survive independently, just like how humans can never be completely sure of where they will go or
whom they will become, they simply survive. Dillard explores human identity and how ever-changing, expanding and, unknowing it is. This source
is useful as it gives a creative, and original insight into what Dillard believes human identity really is. This source supports the argument as it
insinuates that one cannot assume another’s identity as it is something that is ever-changing.
Gladwell, Malcolm. “Carlos Doesn’t Remember.” Revisionist History, Panoply Media, 7 July 2016, http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/04-carlos-
Gladwell’s podcast touches on the identity of bright kids who grow up in poverty. He explains why the argument, ‘people growing up in poverty
just need to try harder’ is short-sighted. The reality is these kids with boundless talent and potential, who live a life of horror and destitute poverty,
cannot change their identity because America won’t recognize that capitalization is a big issue. Overall this podcast explains that, for many, identity
cannot be changed. This is a reputable source as it gives specific evidence for the facts stated. For example, Gladwell goes to the college boarding
schools and gets the entire database of college test scores, SAT and ACT to find out how many kids in poverty score high on these tests. He finds out
about 35,000 students a year who score the highest are from low-income neighbourhoods. This contradicts the argument as this source explains that
sometimes society and culture dictate the outcome of certain groups’ identities making certain bias’ true.
Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns. Riverhead Books. 22 May 2007. 375 Hudson Street, New York, USA.
A Thousand Splendid Suns is a story of the oppression of women and how even in such bleak conditions there is still hope for them. Hosseini
explores the problem of how female identity is viewed in Afghanistan. The identity of women is viewed as objects in this time period and society.
This source is useful as it explains to the reader that women are equal to men. Women can change the identity society has forced them under by
helping one another, and fighting for their rights. This novel shapes the argument by restating that identity can be changed and is not always dictated
by society’s stereotypes and bias.
Koul, Scaachi. “Can TV Make Us Not Hate Ourselves?” BuzzFeed, 14 Oct 2015, https://www.buzzfeed.com/scaachikoul/can-tv-make-us-not-hate-
ourselves?utm_term=.kbjOpK3OO#.acr8d0D88.
Koul’s essay on race and representation in pop culture explores the importance of cultural identity. As growing up, Koul didn’t even know her
own identity due to lack of representation in the media. She talks about how the lack of proper representation in the media for minorities, can
negatively shape one’s identity as a person. The goal of this essay is for the reader to understand the importance of representation for minorities. This
supports the argument as this source explains that the amount of representation of one's culture can significantly change one’s identity, for better or
for worse.
By: Anna Topacio