I am a young, first generation, multicultural African American and Filipino Women, that had the opportunity to live within a diverse community surrounded by opportunities, language, and an endless support system.Growing up in the suburbs of San Jose, I was introduced to music at a young age, being how my parents met, I had the ability to choose to participate in outside activities such as sports, the arts, and girl scouts. All I slowly discovered was a privilege. Girls Scouts gave me the opportunity to learn about leadership, teamwork and the impact of giving back. Fundraising for those with illnesses, providing food and or gifts for families that were unable to while participating in grand opening events for those within the Santa Clara
In the past I have struggled with my biracial identity. As a child I was confused about which community I belonged in because I am a mix of Navajo and Caucasian. As I got older, I began to question myself and who I was. I felt like I did not belong to either the Native or Caucasian community because in both groups I felt like someone else. I felt as if I had to live two lives that were completely separated. When I was on my reservation I felt like I had to act “Navajo” and when I was not on the reservation I had to try to blend in and not act “too native” . This situation was stressful because I was internally battling with myself. I did not want to make others uncomfortable by being “too native” or “too white” so I would change how I acted
The public schools in North Carolina are faced with a huge number of challenges. One challenge is the significant difference between the black and the white students. This in return is accompanied by certain issues like the lack of African American studies in these schools. This results in a long traumatic consequences and standing concerns that have rippled through the educational system of the society. Few or little African American studies in this school have taken place over the public education systems that the parents and different systems of the black society have taken note of this. Educator Larniece Spencer stated, “I have notice the lack of the African American studies in my first
From the time that African Americans were brought over to America, their race has delt with many years of discrimination. In the 1920's, in Harlem, New York, there was an explosion of art, culture, and social aspects of society, which came to be known as The Harlem Renaissance. An emerging author in that time period was Langston Hughes, who was known to write about African Americans and their struggles. Zora Neale Hurston was an African American writer who wrote about her dreams of becoming more than just being used as a doormat by many, and her aspirations to become somebody her mom would be proud of. ¨I too¨ by Langston Hughes and ¨How It Feels To Be Colored Me¨ by Zora Neale Hurston both examine the importance of racial pride to suggest
The older I become, the more appreciative of my black heritage I become. I did not realize and fully understand what my ancestors have done for me and how they have paved the way so I could have a more enjoyable life. I keep hearing, "the slaves got killed if they were caught reading, the new generation wouldn't read if it killed them." As sad as this statement is, it also has a lot of truth and meaning behind it. My mother inspires me more than words will ever explain. My mother believes in me when I doubt and don't believe in myself. She has made so many sacrifices for me and I will do anything for her. When I was younger I were ungrateful and did not fully understand all that she did for me. Now that I have become older and I have experienced some things I am so appreciative of my
1)Hurston’s opening paragraph in “How it Feels to Be Colored Me” functions as a joke that aims to lessen the stigma around discussing race in the 1920s. The phrase “extenuating circumstances” is defined as lessening the seriousness of a situation and therefore reducing any consequence that may emerge from her controversial stance. Hurston’s assertion that her “grandfather on the mother’s side was not an Indian chief” is intended to bring humor to the African American tendency to claim Native American ancestry in order to raise their social status. Her sarcastic juxtaposition of accepting her color versus colored people distancing themselves from it creates a colloquial tone that illustrates her defiance of social stigmas and norms. This biting opening paragraph intrigues the reader and allows her audience to grasp the overall purpose of the
Challenges are events that are used to change you for the better should you choose it accept it. The challenges I have faced wasn’t a matter of choice but of something that I have no control over. Some people will tell you it’s a burden, some say it’s an entitlement or free ride. Science says it’s just having a high amount of melatonin due to geographical location for survival. To me though, being black probably one of the biggest challenges a human can have in America at least I find it terribly perplexing. I say this because of what is portrayed in the media, the people I have been raised with, and racism itself in the black community. Keep in mind that this is from my own personal experiences and perspective so everything I say is just applies from my point of
I am an African American female. My whole life I’ve been told this and let this one fact become my identity; but this may not be the best way to approach my race, and who I am as a person. As a child, the media and the people around me acted as if my race described my likes/dislikes, my level of intelligence, or even who I am as a person. This idea society has of African Americans is wrong for a majority of reasons, and I challenged it a long time ago. I know the idea is flawed because I have displayed and/or have seen the complete opposite of these stereotypes displayed in those around me. Even though being African American is an amazing culture I am proud to be apart of, it does not have the authority to define who
The world is filled with people, and like snowflakes, each person is not the same as another. Each person identifies with different aspects of their lives to create their own personal identities. I personally identify with my Italian side of my family to help form who I am today. I have found myself connecting with this side more so than the other parts of my identity. It affects how I live my life by becoming the center to the culture surrounding me. However, my ethnic identity as an Italian American also influences how I live when it comes to my religion, and how my religion affects my life alongside my ethnicity. I will expand on this issue on how I express my ethnic and religious identity in regards to each other.
Being a five-foot tall Hispanic girl, I literally see the world from a different perspective. I was never the type of person to feel confident under my own skin because I belittled myself instead of embracing my physique, culture, and gender. As a young girl, I was inspired to run for president after reading a biography of George Washington, become an astronaut after seeing Apollo 13, and a computer scientist after learning about Bill Gates, but I was discouraged to pursue those careers because I am a girl.
I grew up in a small town in Mississippi in a neighborhood about a five-minute walk from the Mississippi River. I spent the majority of my younger years growing up within this southern bubble. This place that I still call home and my experiences here helped to create the person that I am today. In my neighborhood in Greenville, MS we didn’t have much to do but staying out of trouble was the motive. Even when thinking of the activities to do they were pretty limited but that’s what caused for us to become creative. Kids in my neighborhood took joy in just running, playing sports, working out, or skipping rocks. Besides being born in such a unique place I must give create to the people who have made me who I am.
Within the world of academia, aptitude and intelligence are usually measured by standardized testing and the level of information one can attain within a certain amount of time. When a particular group consistently scores lower than another in terms of performance, the group with the lower score is considered to be inferior, or subordinate. Throughout the years there has been a noticeable disparity between African American students and European American students as it relates to education. However, are the differences and experiences that accompany the African-American culture being factored in when
I’m Black Dominican with two past long terms relationship in my life both white guys ,I just love white males, so in I always like interracial couples even though I did date someone same dark skin color as me during my dating times , which I considered a nice looking tall guy , well-educated and financially stable, we go out a few times trying to get to know each other further, however the relationship didn’t move forward basically because it was more of curiosity on my behave than anything else in reality I just wanted to at least try someone outside of my ethic group but I knew I didn’t like dark skin man as partner but it’s different when it comes to relationship I don’t have any problem friendly wise but I can’t cross
Throughout Jonathan Kozol’s essay “Still Separate, Still Unequal: America’s Educational Apartheid” (347) and “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” (374) by Beverly Tatum, both Kozol and Tatum discuss racial issues in the educational system. Kozol and Tatum explain racial issues by presenting two different instances that racial issues have played a roles. These two instances being visiting different public schools by Kozol and noticing the cafeteria segregation by Tatum. Using their own personal experiences, their arguments essentially come to similar conclusions, so by comparing their essays, the most significant problems are brought to the table.
Growing up in a family where my mom was a doctor and my dad was a musician, I was exposed to a lots of things in my life. For example I was able to see Broadway plays and and go on family trips to Disney every year in the winter. A lot of people would say I was very fortunate to be one of the family where I knew both my parents and they did there best to give me a lot of life experiences. But me being an African-American male it seems like I not supposed to how do experiences, I was supposed to not know my father not to be able to go on these trips with my family. It came to appoint where ever African-American in my peer group what tell me I 'm less black than they are because of the experiences I have, the way I dress, and the way to talk.