sumblog number 9

This week in lecture the theorist that we discussed that I most connected to was Erving Goffman. Goffman discuses the theory of the way we present ourselves in society, all revolving around a theatrical theme. I personally feel Goffman's theories are completely applicable, and can even be seen in my own current life. Goffman discuses the idea of self labels, status, and roles. He defines status as "a particular  social position". A doctor or dentist would be a good example of a status that a person may have. With each particular status comes props that each person withholds; which is another concept Goffman explains. A doctor would be expected to have, doctor tools, not the tools of a police officer or lawyer. The idea of the self label that Goffman discuses is defined as, "you having the power to present yourself the way you want to."I find this concept of "self label" extremely interesting.

Goffman's theory of self label is easily seen in todays society, and is a pressure even I feel. Every morning we wake up and get ready for class. What we decide to wear, how we do our hair, our backpacks, everything, is the power we have to present ourselves in anyway we want. Me wearing hikers and a columbia jacket, may give off the impression that I am an outdoorsy person, by no means am I attempting to look "outdoorsy" but occurs subconsciously. Although we all have the ultimate decision in how present ourselves, i think our audience, or society also has a huge impact on the way we present ourselves. For example, If I were to wear a forest green button up shirt (something that is not unusual in my own wardrobe), but on my way to class I get told by more then two people that the shirt made me look very masculine, I would probably not wear it again. I hate to admit that my audience or society has this much of an influence on me but i think it has that affect on everyone. Maybe i would not necessarily never wear that shirt again, but i would think twice about it. I think Goffman discuses this concept when he goes into discussing the power of the audience. I think Society and our audience has a lot more of an impact on our "self label" then we would really like to admit. I encourage you all to throw the audiences power out the door and wear that forest green button down, or knit, wear those broken in shoes, because YOU want to, because it makes you YOU.