Putting it All Together - Your Identity

What makes you unique?

Is it the color of your skin? Your religion? Your culture? Your sexual identity? The different languages you can speak? The fact that you use sign language to communicate? During your teenage years, many of you try to avoid the things that make you different. But these are the very things that form your identity, and make you special.

Explore your family roots:

Learn the native language of your parents or grandparents. Taste the foods and experience the religious and cultural customs of your ancestors. Ask questions about your history. Experience and appreciate the bonding and closeness of your family or community.

Learn about yourself:

Seek to understand your sexual identity and seek out others who are experiencing the same issues. If you have a disability, understand that you are a person first and disabled second, and demand the respect that you deserve.

Celebrate your uniqueness and share it with others:

Make understanding your identity part of your efforts to build self-esteem and self-confidence. Don't be afraid to show your differences, explain them to friends, classmates, teachers, and others.

"My Hispanic background has been a real benefit to me growing up. Many of my friends envy the strong ties I have with my culture-from being able to speak another languge fluently to celebrating the holiday and traditions and just having close family bonds. I discovered recently that one of my grandfathers was Mayan, and that helped me to understand my personal history a little more."

- Rosa, 14