In the relevant course, CRD 2, I learned about a few different theories of social identity development, particularly related to race. When I started looking into these theories, I looked for similarities, something that would catch my attention and make me think, “This applies to me, too.” Beverly Tatum's ideas grabbed me very easily and I'll elaborate on them shortly, but for the most part I had to struggle to find one that felt synonymous with who I am and how I see myself. The closest similarities I could find were mostly milder versions of the theory's anecdotes, and I found it unnecessary to conform exactly to one theory. While theories are great material for reflection and perhaps even enlightenment, I argue that, considering the individuality of each person, it is illogical to assume that each person can be categorized into a theory. The idea of ​​developing a social identity is a new one for me. For most of my life, including my current one, I have always considered my social identity complete. I'm Latino. Perhaps it is due to the fact that in my past experiences I have little experience with the negative effects of racism. However, it is obvious to me that this is almost not the case for everyone else. I am well aware of the marginalization, both conscious and unconscious, of Latinos in the United States. However, I cannot look back and find bitterness in my heart because of racism. However, while social identity development may be new to me, it is still an intriguing concept. What exactly is a social identity? In short, it is about self-awareness regarding the social category to which they feel they belong and how this awareness affects everyday life. Social… middle of paper… Despite my feelings about my racial development, I definitely consider it an incredible joy to interact with others about their race and lifestyle. Beverly Tatum's stages may do a good job of explaining my past experiences, but I find the opportunity to see the self-identification of others to be a much more meaningful thing for me. Perhaps their life aligns more with another theory. Perhaps they even developed their own theory to define and tell their story. Whatever happens, the narratives told within the theories and phases are completely different for each individual person. It is simply impossible to find the perfect theory for everyone and one should not feel obligated to conform to a theory. This variance and individuality is unpredictable and cannot always be classified, but this is one of the things that makes humanity such a beautiful thing.