Synthesis Essay: Conformity And Identity

Conformity also causes a conflict in identity causing people to feel labeled by the society. In Source G, the writer states that “society is no reader to accept crippledness than to accept death, war, sex, sweat, or wrinkles. I would never refer to another person a cripple. It is the name I use to name only myself.” The writer also states “people- crippled or not- wince at the word ‘cripple,’ as they do not at ‘handicapped’ or ‘disabled.’” Another example is a visual source; Source D. The image is of a Muslim women wearing a traditional headpiece that represents her religion. The headpiece is a design of the American flag. Her facial expression is plain and very unpleasant and on her forehead is a large imprint of the word “terrorist” in black, bold ink. Above the image, it states “my

And I certainly don’t like ‘handicapped,’ which implies that I have deliberately been put at a disadvantage.” Similarly, The Muslim women wants to conform to be an American. Although Americans see her and her religion in relation with terrorism so they automatically assume that she has no good intentions in being apart of the American culture. The women sees herself as a part of the American society, but people refuse to acknowledge that she is a part of their culture. This explains how both of the sources of these individuals struggle with their identities because the people who are conforming to society’s idea that these women should not be accepted. This causes Maris and the Muslim women to feel internally corrupt. With conformity, people do not feel fully accepted into a society. Maris struggles to find acceptance because she does not want to be considered a “handicap,” however society does not accept her as a “cripple.” As for the Muslim women, she wants to be an American, though society only views her as a terrorist. Both feel like they are outcast because they do not know who they are truly accepted