Characters

I was having a chat with a friend last night about identity. We started our discussion because we are doing a collaboration, as the leaders of a new poetry group, with a CDA for their tea. We were trying to come up with poetry prompts that had to do with identity (I suggested that we do something with the “characters” we play at Bryn Mawr, and the intersection between the characteristics of those characters and the rest of our identity). Further along in the conversation she said that she does not know who she is without the context of other people. For example, I am not black until I encounter white people. I don’ think I can explain it like she did, but I think it makes sense. Identity  is not inherent. It is based off the people and things and ideas around you. So your home shapes your identity. That being said, I think that if trans women were wholly accepted by Bryn Mawr and the community, there is the potential that the “character” that trans women play would not have to include their gender identity. Although I hope the college wide discussion, and future acceptance of trans women, can help create an environment where cisgender people are made to think about their privilege. Ideally there would be a balance between a wider discussion of privilege and not having every interaction revolve around gender identity. So a student can be an out and proud trans woman if they so chose, but they could also be the piano player who really likes Shakespeare. What I wonder is if that would be an environment unique to Bryn Mawr, or do trans people have that opportunity at other schools?