Be as reflective as possible. You do not need to submit the completed identity activity sheets. Although no one else will see your completed activity sheet, you will choose portions of these to share

Module 2 Discussion

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Kendall Komeng posted May 19, 2024 12:02 PM

Power: As a African American male, I am aware of the structural and institutional power systems that have historically harmed and disenfranchised African Americans. Because of my race and gender identity, there are possibilities where I may encounter unique obstacles and biases that can limit my chances and experiences. However, I know that my faith and cultural history may be sources of strength and resilience for me. My Christian religion has taught me to speak out for justice and utilize my position to help others.

Privilege: As a man, I have access to certain benefits that women do not have, regardless of race or nationality. In Ghanaian society, males are frequently expected to take up leadership responsibilities, which can give prospects for social mobility and influence. However, I am aware that my ethnicity and gender may restrict these benefits. As an African American, I am not immune to racism and sexism, and I am mindful of how these biases might affect my life and the lives of others.

Oppression: As a African American, I am aware of Black history and ongoing intimidation, especially in Ghana and other African countries. Colonialism, slavery, and other types of exploitation have had a significant influence on Black people's lives, limiting their access to education, economic opportunities, and political power.

Opportunity: As an African American Christian Ghanaian, I think that my identity gives me unique opportunity to positively affect the world. My faith gives me a sense of purpose and direction, while my cultural heritage offers me a thorough grasp of African values and customs. As a Ghanaian, I am proud of my country's rich history and culture, and I feel that sharing it with others may help to foster understanding and connection.

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Marilyn Diaz-Mazariegos posted May 20, 2024 10:22 PM

Power:

Being part of the Hispanic community has taught me the power in kinship. In my culture, we value family time and togetherness. We come from large families, you could never fit us all in one room, and we find resilience within other members of our community. We feel stronger together than apart. We uplift each other and rely on each other through hurdles and accomplishments. Personally, I know that whenever I am going through something detrimental, I am not alone and can always count on my family to guide and support me.

Privilege:

As a second-generation American, I recognize and have been reminded repeatedly that I have the privilege of attaining a better life than my parents and other members of my family that had to accept the limitations of their country. I have the privilege of going to college to make something out of myself despite my parents not being able to make it past the 8th grade due to economic hardships that warranted other obligations.

Oppression:

Despite my appreciation for my family, being a female in a Hispanic community has not been easy. In my culture (and I'm sure in many others as well) females are expected to behave a certain way and achieve certain milestones in a specific order. I was expected to start taking care of others such as my little sister, and make sure the house was spotless before my parents came home, and not allowed to go out with friends, all while my older brother could play video games all day and spend his weekends in night clubs. I was not supposed to wear any revealing clothes, or get piercings, or have boyfriends. I was expected to complete college first, then get a boyfriend, then get married before moving in together, then have kids. I have been reprimanded for not abiding to that specific order and to this day I still get some disapproving looks at gatherings that inevitably fills me with guilt, if I'm being honest.

Opportunity:

A trait that I have always been proud of is being fluent in both Spanish and English. My mom is a hard-core advocate for ensuring our primary language is never lost from our family and for that I am grateful because being bilingual has given me the opportunity to navigate well within both my American and Hispanic cultures. It has opened doors for me in the workplace and allowed me to advocate for those that can't express themselves in English.

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Elizabeth Weigand posted May 22, 2024 11:55 PM

Power

I feel power in my identity as a woman and as an advocate for women’s rights. I equate women as powerful largely due to being raised primarily by my mother and witnessing the resilience it takes to be successful and raise a family. Being a young adult in today’s society gives me the access to openly support the causes I feel passionate about, which in turn reinforces my own sense of personal identity. I feel empowered when I spread awareness on topics like abortion accessibility and equitable healthcare. I recently wrote a research paper on the history of abortion criminalization and its ties to gender and racial oppression and completing that felt powerful. As a high school teacher, I feel empowered when I am able to educate my students in a highly effective manner. As a person raised Catholic who now has the autonomy to decide what I do and don’t believe, I feel powerful in my decision to define what religion means to me on my own terms and in my own time.

Privilege

As a white woman, I have experienced many privileges, especially in the way I am perceived by society and the opportunities I have received. Being white means I am treated in a generally more favorable way by strangers. I’ve been in an interracial relationship for over three years, which has opened my eyes to everyday privileges I experience that he does not receive. For example, when traveling at the airport, my boyfriend, who’s nationality is Indian, has been stopped multiple times for extra screenings or been pulled to the side, whereas I have never been stopped at airport security even when I’m with him. I didn’t recognize the extent of my own racial privilege until I witnessed someone I love being racially profiled.

Oppression

As a woman, I have experienced oppression in the form of sexism and microaggressions. As a high school teacher, I have to cultivate a respectful learning environment for my students, and in return, the expectation is that I am respected as the adult and educator in the room. While teaching is often thought of as a woman dominated career, in my experience, it is the male teachers who receive more respect and compliance from their students. I believe this stems from many children being raised in patriarchal households and in a patriarchal society. When I worked in a doctor’s office as a medical assistant, I was frequently spoken to by patients in an impolite manner, whereas the male doctor received much better treatment. As a person who went to a private Catholic school when they were younger, being female meant part of my education’s curriculum was etiquette classes. Looking back, I now realize this pushed sexist, societal expectations on me as a young girl.

Opportunity

As an educated and motivated young woman, I feel that the opportunities I’ve received and earned are due to both my upbringing and my own self determination. As a person from a middle class family, I had opportunities that others did not, but I also contributed to my own successes. For example, my mom worked hard to put me in private elementary school when the public school I was zoned for was not highly rated, however I worked for and earned scholarships that made her able to afford it. I have learned that any opportunity has the capacity to create an impact in your life. I was offered my current teaching job when a biology position opened up at the last minute right before the start of the school year. I was 22 at the time, and I went for it even though I had little experience and no time to prepare. Two years later and now I’m teaching anatomy and physiology too, which I love. That opportunity paved the way for what has become a big part of my identity as an educator.

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Danielle Gegenheimer posted May 23, 2024 2:45 PM

POWER: My traits of loyalty, integrity, and humor can be sources of power in social situations and interpersonal connections. For instance, my loyalty can promote dependability and trust, which enables me to forge meaningful relationships and have a beneficial impact on others. In a similar vein, being honest can enable me to handle circumstances with sincerity and integrity, which will increase my credibility and power. Furthermore, I may use my sense of humor as a tool for connection and communication, using it to ease stress, lighten the atmosphere, and make an impression in social situations.

PRIVILEGE: I benefit from institutional advantages in the criminal justice system, work, and education because I am a white person living in the United States. Due to my privilege, I may be able to take advantage of opportunities and resources that people of color might not have access to because of systemic racism. Similarly, being straight in a heteronormative society may offer me certain privileges, such as legal recognition of your relationships and less discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, it's important to recognize that these privileges come at the expense of marginalized groups, who face systemic oppression and discrimination.

OPPRESSION: Due to my gender identity as a woman, I may be exposed to discrimination and oppression based on my gender, such as the gender wage gap, a lack of representation in leadership positions, and social expectations regarding behavior and appearance. Despite these difficulties, my loyalty, integrity, and sense of humor can be sources of support and resiliency while negotiating these social pressures.

OPPORTUNITY: My loyalty, honesty, and humor can serve as valuable assets in various areas of my life, opening doors for personal and professional growth. For instance, my loyalty may lead to long-term relationships and networking opportunities, providing avenues for career advancement and personal fulfillment. My honesty can create trust and transparency in my interactions, fostering positive connections and collaborations with others. Additionally, my sense of humor can help me navigate social situations with ease, allowing me to connect with diverse groups of people and explore new opportunities.

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Yvette Gomez posted May 20, 2024 10:34 PM

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I identify as a Catholic, Puerto Rican American, wife and mother.

Power- As a Catholic, my faith helps to define how I view the world. It gives me the power to live day by day seeing the positive, looking through a different lens, knowing there is another power in charge. My personal motto is, "if it's meant to be, then it will be. God will always look out for me and mine." This mindset or belief might be foreign to some, but it helps get me to move on, to tackle the next day's challenges, whether they are good or bad.

Privilege- As a Puerto Rican American, I have the privilege of living in this country legally with no need to apply for a Visa or Permanent Residence. I know many people are fleeing their countries and crossing the border in hope of a better life here in the U.S. Unfortunately, it is a long, dragged-out process if they are seeking asylum, employment authorization or permanent residence. They also face deportation back to the country they fled from. It is a privilege not to have to worry about any of those things.

Oppression- As a woman and a mother, we have faced constant oppression. We have had to fight for maternity leave rights, breastfeeding in public places rights, getting a break to pump our breast milk rights. We have faced losing jobs over getting pregnant. We are still fighting for the right to own our bodies when it comes to abortion. Both woman and mothers are faced with not being taken seriously in the workplace and not making equal pay as the male counterparts.

Opportunity - The opportunity this life has given me is what I make of it. I cannot sit back and mope around feeling oppressed. My identity is probably what most people see and it’s obvious that I am all those things. But I will continue to move forward in this life, trying to take advantage of any opportunity given to me, whether it is a promotion, an activity or a degree

Nelgenk Lozano-Garcia posted May 20, 2024 7:25 PM

Power: As a mother, the word power relates the most. I'm all about woman empowerment, and to be honest, ever since I became a mom this past December, I have the utmost respect for all mothers. We genuinely do sacrifice a lot for the sake of our kids and family. Women are powerful and just as important.

Privilege: As the firstborn, I had the privilege of growing up with my parents. I am one of four kids, and I feel my siblings didn't have the same privileges as me. On the other hand, I stepped in as the third parent because I didn't have present parents because they worked long hours.

Oppression: As a woman, I am aware of the history of women being oppressed by male figures. I am thankful we have come a long way and, in return, have accomplished women's rights. But there is still much more change to work on, especially in the workforce. Women tend to have lower pay compared to men.

Opportunity: My motivation has given me the opportunity to accomplish many goals in my life. I've always been the type of person constantly looking to grow, and if it weren't for my motivation and drive, any of those goals wouldn't have been accomplished.