What factors shape your identity? What parts of your identity do you choose for yourself? What parts of your identity are determined for you by other people or by society? In our discussion on the analysis of culture and social work, I shared this post: Southern born and raised in the Northwest Valley in a city called Fort Smith in the state of Arkansas, I identify with the term – as a country city boy in my early geographic humble beginnings.  In a family rooted in a strong Christian upbringing, I grew up in poverty without fully understanding just how poor our community was and without allowing it to define us.  When the ugly heads of oppression made their presence felt, I was taught to face oppressions of race, class, ableism, and religion face to face and accept who I am.  Those cultural aspects and more shaped and mold me into the gentle, loving, and respectful person that I am today.  As an African American man, I have and feel that I will always have to deal w...