Lucas Stopper: My Second Self (topic of choice)

 We have begun discussing the concept of the “second self” in class, as well as the “looking-glass self,” and I think both of those topics are incredibly important to me as someone who had to do much self-reflection in order to come into my identity as a transgender man. In a way, I have yet to combine my two selves into one whole self, as I have yet to fully come out as trans back in my hometown. Because of this, I live essentially a double life, living as my “original” yet false self at home and living as my “second” and true self at college. I thought it was interesting how, in a way, my second self, my alter ego, has become my “true” self, whatever that true self may be. I think this also gets into the long-discussed question in class of whether or not a “truth” is a “fact.” Is my identity a “fact” about myself if it is not true in all situations? This is not a question that causes me any strife but just an interesting one I have begun thinking about as we talk more about identity in class.


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