My Multicultural Self - Eli Roberds by

Image of Me

bdq81 — 2024-10-29 06:51:49 UTC

White

bdq81 — 2024-10-29 07:09:13 UTC

Being White in America means I have access to privileges others don't have, and some of those privileges may be so engrained in our society that is almost in a subconscious state. Being White is significant to me because it affects how I view reality, I will never know what it's like to be judged and discriminated by the color of my skin whether it's through the law, government, school, work, and everyday occurrences. Because of this, it shapes my identity and how I may view the world. The privileges of being white also allow me to have more resources to educate myself on issues involving race and gives me the opportunity to find understanding outside of my otherwise comfort zone.

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Being white especially a white man shapes how I see the world as it affords me privileges that others should have. Privileges such as having more resources in education that are provided to me as well as the fact that those who are white are seen as the default. Because of this, I have to often remind myself to decenter myself in conversation.

Anxiety Disorder

bdq81 — 2024-10-29 07:14:38 UTC

Being someone who struggles with anxiety disorders both General and Social can be tough as every task feels like a life-or-death obstacle. However, having an anxiety disorder has taught me how to become resilient, brave, understanding, empathic, and strategic. Being nearly afraid of everything means to some degree I am able to prepare myself for anything life throws at myself. Those around me or closest to me may view me as someone who is weaker. Yet, they cannot be more than wrong since I wake up and have to face my fears anyways. Through my anxiety disorder I am able to become more understanding the struggles that people face around me.

There is a lack of societal privilege in this area due to a lack of understanding on what an anxiety disorder is, and what anxiety is. Making it harder to have your anxiety taken seriously and making it harder to access help.

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I believe that anxiety although with its pros does grant a certain privileges for those from privileged back grounds such as being white or being a male. I believe that anxiety can and has been used against others within those contexts.

Man

bdq81 — 2024-10-29 07:31:15 UTC

To me being a man does not mean much outside of identifying myself with something I view as a label. However, as a man I try to be aware of the privileges and the entitlement that it has given me. I may not be fully aware of all the dominant gazes of being a man has brought me. I like to think of myself as someone born into an environment where I am socialized with not just other men and women to. I understand that being a man has given me agency in my actions, and that it allows for intent and to be viewed as someone whose expressions aren't confined and labialized through misogynistic stereotypes.

Using the resources I was given due to the privileges and entitlement means I am someone who must learn to look past my dominant gaze of my reality, and be more understanding, comforting, and accepting of those differences.

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What does it mean to be a man, society often views men as stoic, emotionless, beings who must always compete to be the best. However, I'd argue that being a man at least in my experience is totally different from societies definition. From my experience being a man equates to someone who is able to be responsible, someone who is able to show weakness, and someone who is unafraid of staying true to themselves beyond the roles of conformity that society places on us. Though, at the end of the day I think that anyone who is a man, is a man.

Employee

bdq81 — 2024-10-29 07:35:56 UTC

I view myself as an Employee, a co-worker, and many more things in a working and even educational environment. Viewing myself as an Employee is more than just being someone who works. I view myself as someone who is able to socialize and collaborate for others. Someone who is able to take on responsibility and look out for others in a working environment that does not look out for its employees. To me being employee is beyond just the workplace and school, to me being an employee means to employ myself to causes that I care about, to research topics I care about, and to employ various ways to take care of myself. Growing up I had realized the power of being heard through others, and getting my first job I realized that being heard is a luxury rather than a basic human need. I try my best to hear and look out for others as well as collaborate with others.

From my experience being an employee gave me the luxuries of financial stability as a community college student, a supportive environment, and the ability to gain experience on the job. These privileges are extremely helpful and are able to provide stability that others may not afford depending on there workplace or situation.