Albany State University Cultural Identity Autobiography – Description
I Am a Cultural Being Paper (living in evolving and dynamic historical, social, cultural, economic, and political contexts) (100 points).
You are a representative of your cultural background. Your identity and how you relate to otherscan either facilitate or inhibit your helpfulness as a counselor or professional. Intentional exploration of your cultural heritage fosters increased awareness and understanding of your multidimensional identity (i.e., culture, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and level of ability) and how it shapes your experiences and interpersonal relationships. Tell story of how you see yourself in the world or how you see the world and yourself in it. Tell your truth. Write about your life using meaningful examples. Please describe in detail the places that you go, the people who are there, what is going on and your interaction with all of the above. Include a summary of what you learned about yourself and your social spaces from the experience. Purposeful and reflective writing promotes personal and professional development.
This narrative will not be shared with the class. If you have some discomfort answering any of the questions below, please talk with the instructor at least one week prior to the assignment due date. The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with an opportunity to engage in self-reflection and raise self-awareness so that you may become a more effective and responsive counselor. Your answers to some of the questions may be longer than others but be sure to answer each question. Retain the section headings that appear below and turn in the paper typed, double-spaced, with a title page and page numbers (i.e. This paper should be in APA style. It should also flow from section to section like a narrative or story.). Each section should have headings or levels in APA format (Headings: Background, Group Awareness, etc.). Be sure to use the terms as they have been used throughout the course. Although this paper has no page minimum, you should answer the questions thoroughly and concisely, being sure not to exceed 12 pages.
I Am a Cultural Being
Your Background
Please describe the dimensions of your identity in detail (e.g. age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion/spiritual practice, class, ability/disability, etc.).
Please describe how your identities developed? What do they mean to you?
Which, if any, are most important to your integrated identity? Explain.
Your Group Awareness
Describe your earliest recollection of learning your gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability/disability religion and/or spiritual practice?
How did you learn to identify with these groups?
Were there any groups of people that were devalued by your family? Did you have similar feelings?
Did your family discuss culturally diverse groups of people?
What was your parents’ main advice to you about people from other cultural groups?
Your Social Awareness
Describe your earliest recollections of learning that people were “different.”
Describe you first experience learning about prejudice? How do you recall feeling at that time? When was the first time you remember learning about racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and other forms of oppression?
How did you first come to understand oppression existed? What did you learn from this experience?
Please describe how you are privileged and/or marginalized and oppressed?
Describe a significant and meaningful experience when you recall witnessing someone act in a way you thought was prejudiced, racist, sexist, anti-LGBTQIA+, or discriminatory?
Describe a significant and meaningful experience when you witnessed someone actively working against systems of oppression (e.g., through personal interaction, activism, or intervention). Describe your feelings about those situations and experiences.
Your Encounter Experiences
Describe how you have changed, if applicable, as a result of your experiences and relationships with different institutions (e.g., school, church, community organizations).
How would all members of your family respond, or have responded, if you announced plans to marry a member of a different ethnic group or religion, a person of the same sex, or a person with a disability?
How do you think you would respond for your child?
Your Present Views
Describe significant relationships/meaningful interactions that you have with people from
different cultures (for example this can range from long term relationships to one-time encounters).
Upon reflection, in what ways (if any) were you impacted by these significant relationships/meaningful interactions?
Reflect on your overall journey as a cultural being, and describe some of the most important feelings that emerged.
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