It's Hard Being Me Analysis

An identity crisis is defined as a period, at which an individual struggles with one's own sense of self. I believe that everyone goes through such a crisis at one point or another; however, I do not feel it is correct to say, everyone goes through this type of crisis entering their first year of college. Now, I am not say that someone can’t have an identity crisis entering college for the first time, for is was made clear in the essay, that some people can indeed, have a sudden realization of either finding or losing one’s self in college. In turn, it is fair to say that most people do develop a sort of crisis when embarking in the college life. It's a time in your life when you experience the world in a new light—and usually on your own.

As humans we are constantly learning and growing from our past experiences and

interaction with the people we meet..

No, as individuals we go through multiple stages of self discovery throughout various times in our lives. From the prepubescent adolescent transitioning into adulthood to the middle age man/woman. Almost every interaction we have with someone else or— well ourselves will affect the view we have on ourselves and the world around us.

“It's Hard Enough Being Me,” reiterates Raya's experience with cultural shock and identity crisis upon entering her first year of college. Anna Lisa Raya is a second generation, "Puerto Mexican," American— as she puts it. Raya particularly discusses her experience with her new developed, identity crisis using the aspects of her upbringing and life as an latin American. Prior to entering college, Raya never questioned who she was. She notes, “...I felt like I was part of the majority, whereas in college at the college I was a minority.” She felt as though, she was expected to define herself as—what she believes is a broad term of Latina. Raya mentions her new found discovery; there are

many Latinos like herself that undergo similar experiences, due to discrimination of the majority, and even criticism from their own kind. I couldn't agree more; being not only a first generation Mexican American, but a Native American, Eskimo Alaskan, Polish mix; I have been through several issues involving discrimination of the majority and criticism from people of my own heritage. I especially agree with the standards that she says society puts up for latinos, for I too— as Raya puts it am “..the quintessential imperfect latin American.” And I too had many identity crises, for multiple reasons. Could these issues of discrimination and criticism contributes to an identity crisis? Yes, in Raya’s case, it did. And thought I feel, I fall into the same minority as Raya describes, I do not feel that these crises are limited to racial discrimination and criticism. We live in a time where more oddball mixture of race are acceptable Could I argue that these type of “cross-breeding,” are the social norm, no. Could I argue that we don’t see forms of discrimination and criticism, towards any particular racial groups today, no. but there are many other factors that could contribute to an identity crisis.