Identity is complex and consists of multiple intersecting factors. For example, race, gender and/or socioeconomic status leads to differences not only in biological markers (skin color or physical features) and cultural markers (types of clothing), but also in shared traditions, beliefs, and/or biases. These identities not only impact the way society treats or views an individual, but also the way an individual interacts with others and their surroundings.
Identity shapes a person's experience to make it unique, even when they are in the same setting as someone else. For instance, a student who is low-income or trans might have a very different experience with Dartmouth than a more affluent, straight student due to the ways that power and privilege affect how they move through the world, how others view them, and what is expected of them.
