There is Always An "I" in Identity

Identity is the product of present action not labels as expressed through language.
A label both avows and disavows an identity. For example, The statement "I am a man" is synonymous with "I am not a woman". Such a claim excludes the possibility of the experience of the identity it disavows. These statements are ultimately limiting and therefore not useful.
Other expressions of identity through language are equally problematic. For example, the statement "I am Canadian" is a current point of controversy. "I am Canadian" does not seem to imply a clear and defined state of identity. (Pardon the Pun). For example, "I am Margot's Son": This statement is vague and ambiguous. Who is Margot? What does it mean to be her son? Any attempt to express identity through language is either reductive, limiting, vague or ambiguous rendering any such exercise useless.
Labels are unnecessary in attempting to express identity. An individual's identity is ultimately far too diverse and fragmented to be able to be contained efficiently in language.
The inability to express identity through language does not mean there is no possible outlet for identity expression. Identity is inevitable. Idenity is a necessary product of existence. If one exists, one has an identity. How then can we use this premise in order to get a perspective on identity? If we also concede that action (human activity) is a necessary part of existence as well (if you exist you breathe, live, see, hear, think, etc...) there is a connection between identity and action through existence.

I suggest that identity is created and defined through action. Concern should not be paid to defining (or capturing) identity through labels or language, but should be paid to an analysis of action. Through examining what an individuals does, how they do it, and why they do it, an expression of identity that is neither reductive or limiting begins to form.

I believe it is part of the human condition to try to understand and control reality by containing it in language. These efforts are insufficient and inadequate when considering the problem of identity expression. We would be better off if we stopped attempting to "find" or "define" ourselves and start examining what we do and why and how we do it.

(I admit this is rather academic, but such style helped me negotiate my way through these thoughts.)