Quote by James Baldwin

An identity is questioned only when it is menaced, as when the mighty begin to fall, or when the wretched begin to rise, or when the stranger enters the gates, never, thereafter, to be a stranger. Identity would seem to be the garment with which one covers the nakedness of the self: in which case, it is best that the garment be loose, a little like the robes of the desert, through which one's nakedness can always be felt, and, sometimes, discerned. This trust in one's nakedness is all that gives one the power to change one's robes.

Summary

This quote suggests that one's sense of identity is often called into question only when it feels threatened or endangered, for example, during times of power shifts, social revolutions, or the arrival of outsiders. The concept of identity is likened to a garment that protects one's vulnerable self, and it is argued that this garment ought to be loose-fitting, similar to desert robes. This loose fitting allows one to constantly feel and occasionally reveal their vulnerable self to maintain authenticity. Trusting in one's nakedness, or being true and vulnerable, is seen as the source of empowerment and the ability to adapt and change.