Observation 7

I am in many social categories that make up who I am and influence how I present myself to others. One category i would classify myself in is a Christian. I dress more conservatively than others because of this social category. Sometimes I write on my arms verses from the bible or words reminding me to pray or believe.
Another social category I believe I would put myself in is that of gender. I like to dress up and wear clothes that are pretty because I am a girl. I also wear makeup and wear my hair down a lot of times to show my girly side but with more of a laid back style.
I like to exercise. I enjoy running or pilates or dance. I danced for many years in high school. I have a lot of clothes that represent this love of dance. I have shorts that say "Dancers Kick Butt" and I have key chains and accessories that show my passion for dance. I wear a lot of clothes from shows that I have been in.
I also love my friends and they are a huge part of who I am. I love to have fun with my friends so I would put myself in a category of friendly and fun loving.

Observation 7

I identify with several stereotypes. As people get to know me they can see that I identify with the following stereotypes: Christianity, Clemson University, classic fashions, quirky nerd, and social butterfly. I have several t-shirts from mission trips I have been on that I enjoy wearing, as well as a diamond cross. I do not like to take too many chances when it comes to fashion, I enjoy "classic looks" with the occasional "in-style" thing. I am part of Clemson University and I always wear alot of Clemson apparel/accessories. I love to read and write which is why I think I am a quirky nerd. I love the Harry Potter and Twilight series and I am not afraid to show that, some say this is nerdy but it doesn't bother me. I have my own way of doing things when it comes to physical appearance. I don't have to "go with the latest fashions", I just wear what is comfortable and what I feel confident in. I am a social butterfly, I love people and I love making friends which is why I have alot of them.

Observation 7

I am used to being identified with the following groups: male, white, upper-middle class, student, republican, straight, catholic, American, Philadelphia sports fan. To identify myself as being in these groups, I wear American clothes that show I am an American, a backpack that shows I am a student, I wore a cross necklace when I was a catholic, I wear a Donovan McNabb jersey to show I am a Philly sports fan, and I drive a decent car that shows I am in the upper middle class.

Observation 7

Although it is hard to describe myself, there are a few classifications that I know I belong in. For starters, I am a sports fanatic, as I love to play almost every sport and watch sports as I have participated in a variety of athletics since I was a small lad. I love to spend my time outdoors, and my clothes reflect that as I will usually rough up my clothing attire and need them to be durable. I feel that portraying a beach look is somewhat in my appearance as I am from southern California, and have dressed for the weather my entire life, which consists of dark jeans,T-shirt, unstyled hair, and sandals when the weather permits. I am very nerdy, and appear as a plain Caucasian male as a result of it.

Observation 7

There are many different social categories that I believe that I fit into, however I do not display all of these views or beliefs on my body or by the way I dress. The categories I fit into are: female, caucasian, upper-middle class, student, republican, straight, and a christian. Obviously, you can tell that I am a girl by looking at me, so I fit into that category and also by looking at me and hearing me talk you can tell that I am caucasian. I was also a cheerleader in high school so I wear a lot of t shirts and sweatshirts that have to do with cheerleading and my high school. Another stereotype that I display are my religious views. Everyday I wear a necklace with a cross on it, and I believe that this cross around my neck expresses to people that I am a Christian and feel strongly about my beliefs.

Observation 7

I think that I represent many stereotypes . First, I think I might represent the stereotype of the south. I love sweet tea and I say y'all, although I hate grits and country music. I was born in Arkansas and raised in Mississippi, so no matter how hard I might try to deny it, I am southern. I also represent the stereotype of a sorority girl. I am in a sorority and we do mixers, functions, and attend fraternity functions. I feel like people have a very strong stereotype of girls who are in sororities. Also, I feel like I represent the stereotype of a an involved student. I am very involved in student government, my sorority, my job, and was equally if not more involved in high school. I like to stay busy and find that the best way to do that is to become involved in school. I feel that I represent these stereotypes mainly in the clothes that I wear. I wear a lot of t-shirts that represent the various organizations that I am involved with. My make up is fairly simple, unless I am going out or have a reason to dress up. I wear jewelry almost every day, mostly earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. I do not have any tatoos and the only thing I have pierced is my ears.

Guideline of Observation 7

Due Monday class time.

Write a paragraph explaining what social categories you are used to identifying yourself with, such as gender, race, class, occupation, political stance, sexual orientation and religious believes and so on. Also analyze how you mark your body with signs of the identities, such as clothing, make up, hair style, piercing, tattoo and other things. 

Additionally, bring a piece of those signs to Monday class. For example, a shirt with your favorite band's image on it or some decorations with certain meanings. During Monday class, we will do class presentation on what social categories you belong to and how you make that visual argument by wearing certain signs.