Identity construction through language, narrative, or (social) media

Why identity? The opportunities people are or aren’t given, the decisions they do or don’t make, the qualities they ascribe to themselves and to others – identity is entangled everywhere. Mention, e.g., a particular sexual orientation, ethnicity, or mental condition and one risks being reduced to a single characteristic. The way we perceive ourselves and others is constantly shaped by language, image, picture, sound, gesture, clothing; the list goes on. Forms of representation can include and exclude, promote and limit self-expression, as well as hinder seeing beyond stereotypes.