Claude Cahun was born in 1894 and died in 1954. The was multifaceted – a French photographer, sculptor and writer. She is widely famous for her unique, revolutionary and rebellious self portraits that embody personas like weightlifter, aviator, and doll. In 1937 she moved to the island of Jersey with her stepsister and lover – Marcel Moore. She joined the resistance against Nazi Germanys forces during the islands occupation, and was imprisoned and sentenced to death in 1944 – however, the Germans never carried out the sentencing for fear of public outcry, so she narrowly survived. Many of her pieces and photos were seized and destroyed when the Nazis seized her home. The Jersey National trust holds the surviving collection of her art. Her health delined due to the imprisonment and she died in 1954 – her stepsister and parter commited suicide in 1972 – both are buried in St Brelades churchyard.

Her work wasn’t well known at the time – and it might’ve often been ridiculed, she was a cross gender person – and all her pieces challenged gender norms and general societal standards for photography and gender conventions. She used her androgynous look to her advantage by shaving her head and using this to create a sense of confusion and gender neutral appearances – this was almost never before seen.

IMAGE ANALYSIS

The mise-en-scene presents a multi-exposure image of Claude Cahun with a very androgynous, shaved, gender neutral appearance in two different positions – almost looking at each other. The background is dark and chalky. There are no clothes visible. The composition is central, the two faces being on either side of the centre, and the photo is well balanced.

She once explained: “Under this mask, another mask; I will never finish removing all these faces.” This quote may lead me to believe that these two faces may represent different masks – despite them looking the same – therefore it could be linked to some sort of differing emotion, or mood. There is a deep personal tension in the photo – and the name of the photo: Que Me Vas Tu? (What do you want from me) could indicate that the two headed creature present in the image is some sort of metaphor for a splitting of identities. In her case she is presenting herself as gender neutral as there are no clear characteristics between male and female.

The photo is clearly taken on a film camera – as was the only method of the time. And has a high level of grain. There is a harsh contrast and the eyes are almost a solid black. Similarly, the whites are a sharp and crisp solid white, with not much texture in the lighting. The background however is rich in texture and almost appears to be some sort of chalk board or similar.

I believe in this image she could be trying to make a statement on some sort of duality – for example, the duality of personalities of identities, the duality of male vs female. This is backed up by other things in the image like the duality of the black background against the harsh white skin (binary opposition).

WWII Activism

During WWII, Claude Cahun and her partner Marcel Moore did some really brave resistance work against the Nazis who occupied Jersey. They used their artistic and writing skills to fight back by creating anti-Nazi leaflets. What’s really cool is that they wrote the messages in German so the soldiers could read them, and they left them in sneaky places like soldiers’ pockets or around the island. This made it seem like there was a big underground movement, even though it was just the two of them.

Eventually, though, the Nazis figured out what they were doing, and in 1944, Cahun and Moore were arrested. They were sentenced to death, but luckily the sentence wasn’t carried out. Still, they were thrown in prison, and the experience really messed up Cahun’s health. Even though their resistance wasn’t super well-known at the time, what they did was super inspiring. It shows how creative resistance can be really powerful, even if it’s just a small group of people standing up to something so terrible.

What’s really inspiring about Cahun and Moore’s resistance is how creative and fearless they were, even though they were basically on their own. They didn’t just sit back and accept what was happening—they took real risks to stand up to the Nazis. It wasn’t just about passing out leaflets either; their messages were psychological warfare. They wanted to make the soldiers question what they were doing, and that’s such a smart and unique way to resist. They didn’t have weapons or an army, but they had their words and ideas, and they used them to fight back. It’s honestly amazing that two people could cause so much trouble for the occupiers with just some paper and a lot of courage.

Cindy Sherman

Creative Portraits are photos which focuses on both the surroundings of the photo as well as the person in the photo. Its a excellent way to depict a lot of information of a person just from looking at a single photo. Creative Portraits usually consist of images and other elements being combined to create unique images. There is many styles you can use in Creative Portraits which can help make your images look more creative and unique.

Double/Multi-Exposure

Double or Multi-Exposure is the process of layering a portion of images on top each other to create illusions. This can be done by either using a camera and adjusting the settings in order to take these multi-layered images or you can take multiple photos in the same place but different poses and then layer them on top of each other using photoshop.

By layering the photos it can result into some spectacular photos being created as there is many different ways you can layer out the photos to achieve the effect and look that you want. For example you can place the images very close together to make that blur effect or space them out evenly or away to create that ghost effect.

Photo Montage

Photomontage is the process of taking and gathering images and then editing them together mainly by cutting, gluing, rearranging or overlapping two or more together to make it into a new image. However Photomontage doesn’t have to be done physically, you can use editing programs like photoshop to edit your images in the style of photomontage like cutting pieces of the image and rearranging them or rotating them. As long as your edits fit the style of Photomontage then it can be done digitally.

This style is very popular and it was famously used to make political images. A Good example would be Russian Constructivism where many people created posters using Photo-Montage by using a solid background and a main subject for their images with usually a message written on it to get their point across.

Artist References

For my Double/Multi-Exposure I have chosen Man Ray as my inspiration as I like the poses that his subjects use in the photos as well as how he positions the subject to make the double exposure look unique and interesting which is something I want to replicate myself with my own ideas.

For my Photo Montage I have chosen Kensuoke Koike as my inspiration as I found it really interesting how he reconstructed the image in a way where it looked odd but appealing, most of the images are cut then reformed into different shapes and patterns which made it look more alluring to look at which is why I want to also replicate his photos and try achieve the same effect that his photos have.

My Photos

Double/Multi-Exposure

With my Double/Multi-Exposure images, I have been able to match the same style as Man Ray but with my own ideas, For the first image I told my subject to have a sinister look while also using a red colour gel to portray the red side as an evil while for the other side using a blue colour gel I got my subject to maintain that same position but to smile instead to show that the blue side is more of a happy/positive side. In the end it created a really interesting and funny image where you can see both sides of the Double Exposure perfectly. For the second image I tried to replicate that same idea but differently, I got my subject to make an angry expression like he was yelling with the red colour gel inserted to show the anger in his face while with the other side using the blue colour gel I got him to tilt the other way while making a happy and carefree expression which in the end resulted into another image I am quite proud of.

Photo Montage

With my Photo Montage images, I wanted to try replicate that same style that Kensuke Koike used with the shapes and patterns, so using photoshop I was able to find some shape and pattern templates and I ended up overlaying them on top of the image so I was able to cut out pieces of the image and rearrange them into unique patterns. In the end result it made for some very interesting and creative images with the first image being square pieces of his face flipped which worked out well thanks to the colour gel lighting in the image and with the second image being cut out triangle pieces of his face being rearranged in a way that ended up making it resemble the Rhombus shape.

These are my final photos presented in art steps. Overall I am satisfied with the result of my images and how they came out as they matched all the lighting techniques I wanted to use and they mostly look like unique photographs. However one thing I would do differently next time is I would try make the butterfly lighting look more dramatic/more clear as I think it could result into some even better photos if I was to achieve this.

Contact Sheet

I ended up not using a lot of the images that were taken as half of them were either not making eye contact with the camera or were test images and the other half I felt that it didn’t match the standards I was aiming for. However for the ones I did select I felt that they were effective attempts at the different lighting styles.

Attempt at Rembrandt Lighting

As you can see from my images I was able to capture the light triangle clearly under the eye which is the key characteristic of taking an image using Rembrandt lighting. You are also able to see the shadows casted under the right cheek and the right side of the nose which helps form that light triangle we are looking for. The strongest image out of these three is the one in the middle as I feel that it is clear to see the light triangle as well as the light intensity of the triangle which makes it easily visible for people to view the photo and identify that the image has used Rembrandt lighting.

Attempt at Chiaroscuro Lighting

As you can see from my images I was able to position the lights in a way where I could increase the amount of shadows and highlights that were casted around my face in order to attract the viewers attention more towards the shape of the face and the details of the face as well. Out of these three I would say the image on the right is the most effective as one side of the face is lit up which allows for those details to be visible and allows for the shape along my chin to be more visible, and the other side of the face which is blacked out which allows for the brighter side to be the main focus so the viewers attention is more towards the shape of the face around the divide in the middle.

Attempt at Butterfly Lighting

As you can see from my images I was able to position the light above the camera in order to cast shadows under the nose and to highlight some parts around the face which is what we want when trying to take pictures using butterfly lighting. Out of the these three I think that the image in the middle is the most effective as there is a clear visual of shadows under the nose and by the subject tilting their head slightly down it helped to create some minor shadows around the under and the top part of the eyelid.

Attempt at using Colour Gels

As you can see from my images I was able to put red coloured gel on the left side of the room and a blue coloured gel on the right side of the room which helped create this unique feel to the image. Coloured Gels have made these images standout and look more interesting to look at especially since the red and blue colours clash together nicely alongside each other. Out of these three images I think that the image on the left is more effective as it captures both of the colour gel lights perfectly creating a balance of both the red and blue light symmetrically on the subjects face.

What is it?

Creative photography contains an extra element (or elements) that are intentionally used to improve the photo from its original state.

Double/ Multi-Exposure

Double exposure photography is a technique that layers two different exposures on a single image, combining two photographs into one. Double exposure creates a surreal feeling for your photos and the two photographs can work together to convey deep meaning or symbolism.

Multiple exposures are photographs in which two or more images are superimposed in a single frame, and they’re super easy to create using your analogue camera.

These can both be achieved in photoshop by creating layers and then using blending options and opacity control, but also by erasing through parts of layers to reveal parts of other images, or by using the camera settings.

This is one of my edits that I made with two pictures of chanell. I did it so that it would look like her real emotions were coming out from the emotion that she displays on a daily basis.

Man Ray

Man Ray was best known for his pioneering photography, and was a renowned fashion and portrait photographer. He is also noted for his work with photograms, which he called “rayographs” in reference to himself. The influential and prolific American photographer and painter adopted the pseudonym Man Ray around 1909.

Man Ray’s exploration of multiple exposures allowed him to create images that were layered with meaning and symbolism. By superimposing multiple images onto a single frame, he constructed visual narratives that transcended the confines of linear storytelling.

The composition features a woman’s face partially obscured by the superimposition of several hands positioned in an almost ghostly manner. The interplay of light and shadow, alongside the ethereal double exposure technique, adds a hauntingly beautiful quality to the work. The melancholic expression of the face combined with the overlapping imagery creates a visual representation that evokes both mystery and introspection, inviting viewers to interpret the underlying emotions and narrative.

Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition photography involves combining two or more elements in the same picture, highlighting the interesting contrast between them, to create an eye-catching and thought-provoking image. Juxtaposition provides depth and interest in a photograph, and may also convey a message from the photographer.

Becque á Barbe: Face to Face – Martin Toft

Martin Toft is an artist and educator who has exhibited and published widely internationally. He was born in Aarhus, Denmark (1970). Self-taught in photography he completed his MA (by Project) in Fine Art at the University of Portsmouth in 2000. He moved to Jersey, Channel Islands in 2004 to take up his current post of Teacher of Photography (part-time) at Hautlieu school. He works on commissions and long-term independent and collaborative projects and his practice combines documentary and fine art approach to explore social, anthropological and cultural themes, often immersing himself in communities for long periods of time. His work is underpinned by archival research using lens-based media across photography, video, sound and text.

The Becque à Barbe project depicts human faces that are juxtaposed with “portraits” of rock faces. Martin Toft has taken images of rocks that appear similar to the native speakers due to their posture, facial features and overall silhouette. I believe that the concept of juxtaposing a portrait of a native speaker with an image of a rock face is to look at how Jérriais is used, not only to describe characteristics of people but also how it is embedded in Jersey’s native tongue in describing a landscape. Some portraits are darker than others in tone which could reflect how the language was hidden when English became the formal speech in Jersey and Jèrriais was suppressed publicly and prohibited to be spoken in schools.

Montage

Montage work includes various types of image editing in which multiple photographs are cut up and combined to form one new image.

Aleksander Rodchenko / Russian Constructivism

Rodchenko was one of the most versatile constructivist and productivist artists to emerge after the Russian Revolution. He worked as a painter and graphic designer before turning to photomontage and photography. His photography was socially engaged, formally innovative, and opposed to a painterly aesthetic.

From 1918 to 1922 Rodchenko increasingly worked in the Constructivist style: a completely abstract, highly geometric style that he painted by using a ruler and compass. In 1918 Rodchenko presented a solo show in Moscow. That year he also painted a series of black-on-black geometric paintings in response to the famous White on White painting of his rival, Kazimir Malevich. That spirit of rivalry with the older generation of avant-garde painters proved an important creative stimulus for Rodchenko. As head of the group of young Constructivists, he engaged in a heated battle for “industrial art” over easel painting. The battle was won by the “industrial artists,” in the field of theory (Rodchenko replaced Wassily Kandinsky as the director of the Institute of Artistic Culture) as well as in the teaching and practice of art. In 1919 Rodchenko began to make three-dimensional constructions out of wood, metal, and other materials, again by using geometric shapes in dynamic compositions; some of those hanging sculptures were, in effect, mobiles.

Final photos

1. Research the photographer

About Claude Cahun

Answer these questions:

1. What was Claude Cahun known for?i
2. What name was Cahun given at birth?
3. What was the goal of their work?
4. How did Cahun achieve this goal? (Who did they photograph? How are they portrayed? What message are they trying to convey?).
5. What is Claude Cahun’s connection to Jersey?

 2. Analyse a chosen photo in depth:

Use the template below to help you analyse photos:

Visual:

1. Who is in the image?
2. How are they posed? Where is their gaze pointed?
3. What are they wearing?
4. What are they holding – what does it say- can you find out more about what it says??
5. What does the sign say on their chest?

Technical

• Lighting – Do you think this uses artificial or natural lighting? How does the lighting accentuate the figure?
• Aperture – Dess this image have a soft or sharp focus background? What could this tell us about the aperture?
• Angle – What angle has the photo been taken at? What does this contribute?
• Is it a full body shot / half body shot / three-quarter body shot?

Contextual

• Research more on the role of women in the 1920s and 1930s

Conceptual

• How does Cahun’s work react to the role of women / gender in the 20s and 30s?
• What do you think the sign on their chest means?
• Why does the dumbbell have the words he words Totor and Popol? Could Cahun and Moore see their own relationship in these duos? Could it refer to Cahun’s multiplicity of identities? Could it link to their quote: “My soul is fragmentary.”?
• There’s a lot of contradictions in the image… the feminine pose vs the dumbbell… what could Cahun be saying about identity / gender?

What Is Identity?

The unique set of characteristics that can be used to identify a person as themselves and no one else and the fact of being who or what a person or thing is.

What is Femininity?

Qualities and attributes to have characteristics of women or girls.

What is Masculinity?

 By displaying attitudes and behaviours that will signify and validate maleness and it will be involved by being recognised, by other people.

Identity can be influenced by a number of things such as gender ,cultural, social, geographical, political, lack of / loss of identity, stereotypes, prejudices

Identity

Gender Identity

Gender identity is the personal sense of their own gender. Gender identity can correlate with a person’s assigned sex or they can differ from it. In most individuals, the various biological determinants of sex are consistent with the individual’s gender identity. Gender expression will  typically reflect a person’s gender identity, but this is not always the case. While a person may express behaviours, attitudes, and appearances consistent with a particular  gender role such expression may not necessarily match their gender identity. 

Cultural Identity 

Cultural identity is a part of a person’s identity, or their self-conception and their own self-perception , and this will relate to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, locality and gender. Or any type of group linked to a certain culture. In this way, cultural identity is both characteristic of the individual  but also of the culturally identical group of members sharing the same cultural identity or upbringing. Cultural identity is an unfixed process that is continually evolving within the discourses of social, cultural, and historical experiences.

Social Identity

Social identity is the portion of an individual’s self-concept  borrowed from a perceived membership in a relevant social group.

Geographical Identity

An individual or group’s sense of connection a country, region, city, or village in which they live.

Political Identity

Political identity is a form of social identity  marking a membership of certain groups that share a common struggle for a particular form of power. This can include identification with a political party, but also positions on specific political issues, nationalism, inter-ethnic relations or more abstract ideological themes. These views will change all the time.

Lack of/loss of identity

A lack of self-identity can come from a variety of causes, including childhood trauma and pressure, as well as mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Stereotypes

Stereotypes are  attributes that society will make groups of people to classify them according to age, weight, occupation, skin colour, gender, etc.

Prejudice 

Prejudice can be an emotional feeling towards a person based on their perceived group membership. The word is often used to refer to a preconceived (usually unfavourable) a classification   of another person based on that person’s recognised personal characteristics, such as  sex, gender,values,social,class,age,dissability,religion,race,ethnicity,language,nationality,culuture,wealth,education and many more. or other anticipated characteristics.

What is Identity?

Identity in photography explores how we see ourselves as a person but also how we see ourselves in relation to others. The photograph or image is the physical manifestation of an individual experiencing the indexical world. A photograph acts as a tangible representation of the subject and who they are perceived as/how they perceive themselves.

What is Femininity?

Femininity is typically used by feminist photographers to turn a medium used traditionally to reinforce gender norms into a powerful tool of transformation and emancipation, rethinking what it means to express ourselves through photography, as well as the types of people and places that are considered worthy of being captured in an artistic way.

What is Masculinity?

Masculinity is usually defined as the social expectations of being a man: The term ‘masculinity’ refers to the roles, behaviours and attributes that are considered appropriate for boys and men in a given society. Masculinity is constructed and defined socially, historically and politically, rather than being biologically driven. Similar to femininity, masculine identity photography can be used to defy social gender norms and stereotypes with powerful images.

Factors That Influence Identity

Our identities can be influenced by place, belonging, as well as your environment or upbringing.

Gender identity – Gender identity refers to an individual’s internal understanding and experience of their own gender. This identity may align with the sex assigned to them at birth or may diverge from it. For the majority of people, the biological factors associated with sex are in harmony with their gender identity. Gender expression, which encompasses the behaviours, attitudes, and appearances that convey one’s gender, often mirrors an individual’s gender identity; however, this alignment is not universally applicable. Consequently, a person may exhibit traits and behaviours associated with a specific gender role without these expressions accurately representing their true gender identity.

Cultural identity – Cultural identity constitutes a significant aspect of an individual’s overall identity, encompassing their self-conception and self-perception. It is intricately linked to various factors such as nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generational influences, geographical location, gender, and any social group that possesses a unique cultural framework. Consequently, cultural identity reflects both the individual and the collective characteristics of a group of individuals who share similar cultural backgrounds or experiences. This identity is not static; rather, it is a dynamic process that evolves in response to social, cultural, and historical contexts. Individuals may experience varying degrees of change in their cultural identity, with some undergoing more frequent transformations, while others maintain a more stable cultural identity.

Social identity – Social identity is the portion of an individual’s self-concept derived from perceived membership in a relevant social group. Social identities are shaped through a process of differentiation that is defined in a relative or adaptable manner, depending upon the activities in which individuals participate.

Geographical identity – Geographical identity, or place-based identity, encompasses a collection of concepts related to the interrelationship between place and identity across various disciplines, including geography, urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, interior design, spatial design, environmental psychology, ecocriticism, and urban sociology.

Political identity – Political identity is a type of social identity that shows a person’s connection to groups fighting for a specific kind of power. This can involve aligning with a political party, but it also includes views on particular political issues, feelings of nationalism, relationships between different ethnic groups, or broader ideological ideas.

Lack of/loss of identity – Loss of identity is personal psychosocial conflict (especially in adolescence) that involves confusion about one’s social role and often a sense of loss of continuity to one’s personality. It can be caused by a wide range of factors, including but not limited to beginning/ending relationships as well as loss of loved ones, traumatic events and moving to a new place.

Stereotypes – Stereotypes are traits that society automatically assigns to different groups of people based on things like their age, weight, job, skin colour, gender, and more. Examples include men not being allowed to cry due to it being perceived as weakness by society and women typically being associated with house roles such as being in the kitchen and looking after children.

Prejudices – Prejudice is a judgment formed against someone, typically of a certain appearance/skin colour/culture etc without any real evidence or personal experience.

What is Identity ?

Identity in photography looks at how we perceive ourselves as individuals and how we relate to those around us. A photograph serves as a tangible representation of a person engaging with the world around them.

What is Femininity ?

Feminist photographers have taken a medium that was usually used to support traditional gender roles and transformed it into a strong means of change and freedom. They have redefined what photographic self-expression can be and challenged the ideas of what subjects and settings are worthy of being represented in an artistic way.

What is Masculinity ?

Masculinity is about showing certain attitudes and behaviours that represent being male, and it also includes how men and women acknowledge and recognize these traits in each other.

These three things can be influenced by your up bringing or place, some other influence’s include:

Gender identity – Gender identity refers to how someone personally understands their own gender. It can match the sex they were assigned at birth, or it can be different. For many people, their biological traits align with their gender identity. Usually, how someone expresses their gender—like their behaviors and appearance—shows their gender identity, but that’s not always true. A person might act or look a certain way that fits a specific gender role, but that doesn’t always mean it represents their true gender identity.

Cultural identity – Cultural identity plays a significant role in shaping who a person is, influencing how they see themselves and how others see them. It connects to various aspects like nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, location, gender, and any social group that has its own unique culture. Essentially, cultural identity reflects both the individual and the group of people who share similar cultural backgrounds or experiences.

 Social identity – Social identity refers to the part of a person’s self-image that comes from their perceived membership in a specific social group. This idea was first developed by social psychologists Henri Tajfel and John Turner during the 1970s and 1980s. Their social identity theory aimed to explain how people behave in groups. It looks at the concepts of ‘ingroup’ and ‘outgroup’ and suggests that our identities are shaped by how we see ourselves in relation to others, which can change based on the activities we participate in.

Geographical identity – Place identity, or place-based identity, is a concept that combines ideas about location and personal identity across various fields like geography, urban planning, landscape architecture, and environmental psychology. It’s often referred to as urban character, neighborhood character, or local character. Over the past 25 years, place identity has gained importance in urban planning and design. It focuses on how places hold meaning for the people who live and interact with them, and how these meanings shape individuals’ understanding of themselves.

Political identity – Political identity is a type of social identity that shows a person’s connection to groups fighting for a specific kind of power. This can involve aligning with a political party, taking stances on particular political issues, feeling a sense of nationalism, dealing with relationships between different ethnic groups, or engaging with broader ideological ideas.

Lack of or loss of identity – A person might struggle with self-identity for several reasons. This can include experiences from their childhood, like trauma, as well as pressure from society. Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, can also play a role, along with certain personality disorders, like borderline personality disorder, which is actually a factor used to diagnose it.

Stereotypes – Stereotypes are traits that society automatically assigns to different groups of people based on things like age, weight, job, skin colour, and gender. When it comes to sexual stereotyping, it means linking girls and boys to different, and sometimes conflicting, sets of traits.

What is it?

The fact of being, or feeling that you are, a particular type of person, organization, etc.; the qualities that make a person, organization, etc. different from others

What is femininity

qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of women or girls.

What is Masculinity

qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of men or boys.

How can Identity be influenced?

Identity is shaped a lot by where we live, where we belong, and how we grow up. These things influence how we see ourselves and how others see us, especially when it comes to gender, culture, social roles, politics, or even feeling like we don’t have a clear identity.

Gender Identity

Where you grow up can play a big role in how you see your gender. Some places have strict ideas about what it means to be “male” or “female,” which might make it harder for people who don’t fit into those boxes to express themselves. On the other hand, living in a more open-minded community might give people the space to figure out and show who they really are. Family, school, and social circles also influence what we believe about gender, and stereotypes about things like being “tough” or “delicate” can make this even more complicated.

Cultural Identity

The culture you’re raised in—like its traditions, food, and language—becomes a big part of who you are. But that can shift if you grow up in a mix of cultures, like in a diverse city, or if you move to a new place. This can sometimes feel like juggling two (or more) identities. Stereotypes about certain cultures might also make you feel like you need to prove something or distance yourself from those assumptions.

Social Identity

The people and groups around you—friends, classmates, co-workers—shape your social identity. Feeling like you belong somewhere (a sports team, a community group, or even online spaces) can give you a sense of identity. But being excluded or not fitting in can make you question where you belong.

Geographical Identity

Where you’re from can feel like a huge part of your identity, whether it’s pride in your hometown, country, or even just your neighbourhood. At the same time, leaving that place or feeling disconnected from it—like moving far away—can make you feel a little lost.

Political Identity

Your political beliefs are often shaped by your environment—what your family values, the political climate where you live, or what issues are important to your community. These influences might push you to agree or rebel against what you grew up with.

Loss or Lack of Identity

Sometimes, people feel like they don’t have a solid identity—like if they’ve moved around a lot, been excluded from certain groups, or experienced discrimination. This can leave them searching for where they fit in. Stereotypes can make this worse by creating unfair expectations or making someone feel they can’t truly be themselves.

In the end, our identity is always evolving, influenced by the places and people around us. It’s about figuring out where we fit—and sometimes, creating a new space for ourselves.