In my Social Justice class, we were given four topics to respond to that would describe our identity. I found this activity very therapeutic and interesting due to the complexity of one's identity, so I listed the assignments and my responses! Enjoy.
1. Describe aspects of yourself over which you have complete control through your choices. Use both physical and personality traits, but focus more on your personality.
I am a seventeen year old filled with life, culture, and the desire to learn; I belong to no one except myself and the beautiful world I get to call my playground. Although I am very independent and self-driven, I choose to dedicate my life to the bettering those around the world living in poverty, living without proper education, and living without love. I deeply enjoy literature and the way it can reflect a time period, I dive into history books to gain insight from our past in order to better support our future, and I study vigorously to secure my future. I choose to fight for animal rights, I try to do my part in saving our ecosystems, I try to impact lives in need, and I do it because of how I see human nature: the way you treat those in need, animals, and the environment reflects on who you are. It takes skill and patience to become successful economically but that may only satisfy yourself or at least can only buy materials; I believe it takes heart, drive, and the ability to care about something other than yourself to find true happiness, success, and purpose. I am a new face to the world, but I choose to be one it will not forget.
2. Describe in detail someone you admire without mentioning their name. Focus on someone you know personally for a more engaging description.
I am inspired by a girl who I’ve known my whole life; she has been by my side through ups and down, and I have been lucky enough to see her grow and overcome obstacles of her own. She is smart and makes every move with intention and diligence, but she can live on the edge and knows when and how to have fun. She is youthful and makes the most of every moment and in sixteen short years, she has such a great grasp on life that she is more aware and in touch with the world than many ever are in a lifetime. Although a lot of odds have been stacked against her, she continuously inspires me with how she holds a smile and effortlessly moves mountains. Her future is hers to lose, and I have faith she will surprise many with how much she will accomplish. She is the part of me I couldn’t live without; Our futures-although different-will always be infinitely intertwining.
3. Describe the traits of someone you loathe without mentioning their name. Perhaps you have a longstanding conflict or grievance with this person.
She acts as though she is entitled to success without a dollar made herself or a step in improving it. She seeks attention and attains it with the help of her parents’ wealth, acting as though she can buy friendships and call them genuine, buy intelligence and call it a gift, and buy her own rules and call it law. She looks at a picture and only looks for herself; she sees an opportunity but only asks what she will get in return. She looks in a window but wishes it was a mirror.
4. Describe how you are seen through the lens of others. How do you fit into your community? Share some stereotypes associated with who you are.
Many see me as young and therefore naive, as a female and therefore inferior to a male, a latin and therefore less capable, as a millennial and therefore inconsiderate about everything other than my social status and where my cellphone is, but they are missing me. They focus on what they see instead of what they can know, and I feel bad for whoever gets lost in appearances or stereotypes because what you’re missing out on could be exactly what you need:perspective, understanding, inspiration, or something more but you have to be willing to find out. I may fit into my community by how I dress, how much income my parents make, but hopefully I stand out by how I think.
