Identity

According to the University of Michigan’s Inclusive Teaching Initiative, personal identity—our definition of self—includes twelve components: race, ethnicity, national origin, first language, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, religious or spiritual affiliation, and physical, emotional, and developmental ability or disability. Our perception of our identities shapes our sense of belonging and ability to determine which social groups we belong to. The comfort we feel and the value we place on expressing and embodying our individualities depends on their rankings within society’s arbitrary hierarchy. Because of this, the parts of our self that society shuns or frowns upon can be sources of anguish, embarrassment, and self-hatred. Peace, Love, and Dance challenges this phenomenon by fully embracing all parts of one’s self. Self-love is crucial to the process of shedding internalized hatred and is an important inspiration for the piece. Solos, seen in colorful costumes, were inspired by the performers’ story of who they are, and learning to embrace all aspects of their selves. Pedestrian gestures, like brushing one’s cheek, were inspired by the concept of self-love and the multifaceted nature of identity. Beyond the self, much of the group dancing is inspired by the concept of respecting others’ identities in conjunction with empathy and active listening.

View the Social Identity Wheel created by the University of Michigan's Inclusive Teaching Initiative here.