Identity And Belonging Research Paper

Why is the past such a powerful factor in our sense of identity and belonging?

It is known fact that the past shapes us in ways that we have control over, and ones where we don’t. The past is a powerful factor in our sense of identity and belonging because it provides us with an identity that is long lasting. It is through ancestry and past family connections, that an identity with meaning and connections to culture and tradition is formed. Thus, through an identity that connects people to their culture and tradition, a sense of belonging to the land and people is created. For many, a sense of connectedness to land and people are essential in embracing their identity.

What effect might an undesirable past have on our sense of self and connectedness?

Aboriginal Australians believe that the land owns them and every aspect of their lives, referring to it as “the mother”. The health of the land and water is central to Aboriginal culture along with their spiritual connection. To many, the land is a “second skin” which they are born into and have the responsibility to care for, today and for generations to come. Thus, place is essential in the formation of an aboriginal identity; without a connection to place, many aboriginals such as the “Stolen Generation”, are denied a strong and proud cultural identity. Connection to place is fundamental in finding out who they are as an aboriginal: where they come from, who their people is, where they belong and what their identity

Consequently, discovering our ancestry not only affects how others see us, but how we see ourselves. The knowledge of our ancestry and family history is fundamental in our sense of who we are and who we belong to. While knowledge of our ancestry and family history often entail some pleasant surprises, they may also lead to disappointments. For example finding out that you descend from a famous historical figure may ignite a feeling of pride and the willingness to belong. However, finding out that an ancestor belonged to an infamous cult or political group such as the Nazis, may evoke disappointment and the inability to accept ones true ancestry and identity. Granted, such revelations may lead to an identity crisis or the decision to not