Question

The values of identity and freedom are not unique to particular times and places. As Hughes expresses in "Dream Variations," all humans want to be able to develop their identities in freedom. What do you think it takes for a society to enable each individual to be true to his or her identity? What does it look like to be free to live by that identity?

Answer 1

A person can be beneficial to the society only if he/she feels safe to live by his/her identity. The key to this is society's approach towards different identities. The reason a person hides his/her identity is the discrimination that he/she feels only because of the identity. However, here it is important to define what is an "identity". For example, a person or group could associate or define a harmful action as a part of their identity. It could be harmful at that moment of in long term to the society and this also should be taken into account when defining the term identity.

Answer 2

A society would have to let everyone live on their own terms, regardless of the conventions of that very society. If a society can't help them, it would at least have to try not to hinder individuals' efforts to discover and maintain their identity. Freedom is courage to claim one's own identity in spite of all the obstacles that have always existed and will always be there. So, an ideal society would be the one that doesn't tend to impose any cultural restrictions upon people; the one that treats all people equally, while admitting that they are mutually diverse.