The Social Portrayal of Self

In Julie Bettie's Women Without Class, the topic of self portrayal comes up front and center. This topic is one that is hard not to struggle with, especially when considering the difficulties of showing ones true-self solely based on outside appearance. In life, expression, through physical appearance, is one of the rare opportunities we have to communicate who we are to the world around us.

Why is it we might ask, that Las Chicas (the working class Hispanic students in Bettie's book), and The Preps (those middle class white students) feel such a strong need to give material identity to their social scenes? Having the ability to classify with a certain group or culture, usually, helps in terms of feeling a part of a greater whole. But, why do they feel the need to create, or to at least include themselves in the stereo type of their race/class traits? The 'comfort' we, supposedly, feel by being like those people who we are similar to, is often times less real than it appears to be.

Of course, the camaraderie aspects to social groups play huge roles. People feel the need to be included, and it is easiest to be accepted by those who you are alike. But how come so little importance is placed on classifying with oneself? Is there not a great gap in our society between who a person IS and who she/he perceives themselves to be?

Within my own life, I notice personal affiliations with those peer groups (not naming any names!!!) whose general approach to life is quite different than the method I have come to embrace and enjoy partaking in. The particular approach which I have begun to live by is actually not one at all. I live my life in hopes of experiencing all that I will allow myself to perceive. This is quite a challenge, but it does allow me to view all people from a neutral perspective, and to enjoy them for their many creative and unique qualities.

The only answer I can think of, for our deep connection to those who have similar characteristics as us, is our inability to be content and comfortable with ourselves as individuals. We seek, as a group, to find out who we are as individuals. There is something comforting in that statement. Is there anything wrong with this sentiment? Three sentences ago I thought there was, when I was under the impression we needed to learn who we are for ourselves. But I now realize, that we are all fighting to be who we are, no matter what, and who, it takes to help us figure it out. There is nothing wrong with learning more about yourself through the experiences of a group. Groups multiply experience. And, if there is anything you need to have, to know who you are, it is experience.