Identity In R. Eric Thomas She's Got Herself A Universe

Identity is an ongoing process of discovery and self-actualization that evolves throughout the course of our lives. The protagonists in the famous tragedy Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, know this all too well. As members of rivaling families, Romeo and Juliet struggle to separate their families’ identities from their own. As a result they learn to form identities that allow them to combine the beliefs of their families’ while still developing their own sense of self. In R. Eric Thomas’ excerpt “She’s Got Herself a Universe”, Thomas delves into the similar difficulties he faces during his teenage years. In this excerpt, R. Eric Thomas learns essential lessons about identity.

One of the most important lessons R. Eric Thomas

Meaning everyone’s unique experiences shape their identity and there is no one clear way of perceiving it. Identity is everchanging, showing itself in different ways for each individual. As Eric reminisces on his conversations with Electra, he thinks, “So much of what we thought about was still waiting to be filed away in its proper place: the vagaries of emotion, the substance of blackness, the weight of grief. What we didn't know was that for some things, there is no permanent place” (49). What seemed monumental in Eric’s adolescence no longer feels as important. He now knows that some experiences and emotions are not meant to hold a perpetual spot in our identity. Simply acting as a placeholder, many are replaced by their new more meaningful counterparts. However, Eric learns that the experiences and emotions that do contribute to his identity can often contradict each other. He comes to this realization

Eric Thomas learns is the importance of embracing his true identity. To do so, Eric must accept who he is without letting societal norms and prejudice affect his character. Thomas applies this lesson when he begins to come to terms with his sexuality. He expresses his affinity for libraries and the Dewey Decimal System and how they are a safe space for him to explore difficult questions, such as ones on his sexuality, saying, “I would hesitantly and cautiously type ‘gay’ into a search bar in a card catalog” (47). Although Eric is still uncertain and chooses not to delve any further into the matter, he demonstrates interest in embracing his true identity. Certain elements of Thomas’ identity were easier for him to accept than others. Eric prides himself on being a black American and finds ways to incorporate this part of his identity into his daily life. In high school, Eric “...joined the Black Awareness Club, an extracurricular in the Upper School that was part affinity group and part educational group. Once a year, we’d host a Black Awareness Day for the Upper School…” (42). By sharing and celebrating his experience as a black American, despite racism and bigotry, Eric is able to embrace his lineage as a part of his identity. Thomas learns not to let societal norms and prejudice define him and applies this when exploring his sexuality and joining the Black Awareness Club. It is clear that throughout this excerpt R. Eric Thomas learns the