Understanding My Identity: It Is More Than My Race and Gender

I believe that I am in the identity developmental stage of expanded sense of identity. I recognize that my identity is not limited to one particular aspect; however, it is filled with multiple factors. My identity consists of that of an African-American female, since that is my ethnicity and gender. The African-American culture has been the most influential in my life. My husband and one of my best friends are of the Native American cultures and they also have a strong influence on which I consider myself to be. 

I have been influenced by Caucasians, since the majority of my life I have lived around them. People of the Islamic religion have had a great impact on the person that I am today because I am a Muslim. All around plain good people of all different nationalities, geographic locations, backgrounds, and cultures have all had a strong influence on my current identity. I always take something positive from everyone that crosses my path and I try to incorporate it into my own life.