How do you self identify?

Self identity- the way in which we categorize who we are. Sometimes we define ourselves by our career, our family, our city, our friends, our style. Whatever you choose, in the United States it most always includes a color that is very static and singular; black, white etc...

Today we visited several dignitaries; Gustavo Zambrano, Executive Director of INDEPA (Institute for the development of indigenous and amazonic cultures) as a part of the Ministry of Culture, Richard "Dick" Smith & Maria Rosa, the Institute of Common Good (founded on the need to care for common resources for the commonwealth), the Evaluator from the Ministry of development and social inclusion (focused on social inclusion as ensuring that all have the essential capacities to take advantage of opportunities created by economic growth).

In Peru, this question has different responses and depending on who you talk to may not even have an answer. What we know/have been told is that there are around 5 classifications in Peru- indígenas, mestizos, criollas, blancos, afroperuanos. Depending on the year, day, time and audience, a Peruvian may be any one of these. Nester, a Peruvian professor, said that Peru is a country that is multicultural and multiethnic.

The #1 question we are having is how does a Peruvian self identify? So far, we have heard a different answer from everyone; by their language, how they dress, where they live, the customs or beliefs. One thing is for sure, it is hard for us to imagine why defining oneself into an ethnic group is so complex/variable.

So today, we set off in another direction....helping to paint and revitalize on of the YMCA branches, Lima Centro.