After Chris Hedges’ seemingly endless pessimistic speech about American capitalism, I left the CUB Auditorium feeling oddly refreshed. Never before has a speech about the destruction of human individualism caused by big corporations reinforced my beliefs to such a strong degree.

Hedges’ basic analysis was that corporate America has hijacked every aspect of American government and culture. In some aspects, I would agree with this. But the one thing I really took away from his criticism is that the individual in America has been created by advertising. Beauty commercials tell women they need wrinkle-free skin and size-four waists. Guys are bombarded with muscle-building products and male-enhancement commercials at all hours of the day. People who become saturated with this material oftentimes do not feel they are good enough to be themselves without all these products.

Identity is a fickle thing. For years I toyed with who I was. I tried every single social group I could put my hands on, except the Christians. But after years of trying to fit in with everyone and neglecting me for who I am, God made it very apparent that I belong to him. My identity is not found in the group I associate with or what shirts I wear. The ability to bench press high amounts of weight or be chiseled do not mean anything to me. My identity is found in the person Christ made me to be, and that’s more than good enough for him. In fact, it makes both of us smile every day. Hedges referred to the idolization of celebrities and how they never have a true identity. Celebrities are only the characters they play. They live to fit a role and to entertain people, and many stories of celebrities end in disaster. The most common themes among these stories are the lack of love and fulfillment they experience. Being under constant judgment and the eyes of a nation bares a weight the majority of us will never know. It’s different for celebrities than other popular figures because they have no single identity, except they are actors who play various roles. Politicians have a set purpose that they strive for their entire life.

And in America, we have begun to worship the body. Our culture loves absolutely everything about the body. How it feels, what it looks like, how to make it bigger and stronger. Popular culture focuses on how to make physical intimacy the most pleasurable thing on the planet. Yet we forget the other parts of love. No one can find fulfillment from touch alone. We need love spiritually, emotionally and physically. God hates to see people try and fill their lives with empty things again and again, just to see it fail constantly. That’s why, as a Christian, my identity is set in Christ. That’s what I identify myself with – Jesus. Sure, I have my struggles with self-confidence now and again, but no longer do I make my body my confidence builder – my faith in Christ is. I know I am loved by him, despite my lack of fashion and imperfect physical appearance. The illusion of identity that Hedges claims we obtain from corporate culture pales in comparison to an identity based on Jesus Christ.