Who Owns Our Identity?

In the documentary, “What Happened, Miss Simone?,” I was struck by the closing scene in which Attallah Shabazz questioned whether Nina Simone was able to fully express who she was. This question connected to our discussion about identity in which we explored how much our identity is shaped by others. Simone’s case shows that it is impossible to truly live without being influenced by others. Her commitment to the Civil Rights Movement meant she could not be a popular singer in mainstream America because producers saw her as too provocative. In addition, Simone’s move to Liberia in an effort to escape her life in America failed, as she eventually had to face the complexities of her old life. This documentary shows how one’s identity is always shaped by those around them.

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