This assignment is a reflection about what makes you the person you are. It’s an inward look at the many layers that make up your identity.
Beverly-Tatum.pdf
The Danger of a Single Story (Links to an external site.)
Don’t Ask me Where I’m From (Links to an external site.)
Please read and follow all instructions:
Each of you will write a reflection about yourself and your identity (2-3 pages or more). You will focus on responding to the following questions.
Who am I? What makes up my unique identity?
For example, I am a woman. I am a teacher. I am a writer. I am a traveler. I am a climber. I am sensitive.
Where do I come from and where do I want to go?
For example, I come from a middle-class educated background in the western United States. I have a strong relationship with my family. I want to stay in my role as a teacher, but I also want to grow to…
What do I like about me as I am? What do I want to change about myself? about how I relate to other people?
I love my openness and my ability to be kind and empathetic. I don’t ever want to lose that empathy.
Some things I want to change include my tolerance for ideas I disagree with or my impatience with certain cultural customs when traveling.
I want to try to listen to other people more and really hear them. I don’t want to set an expectation for what they will say, but expect nothing.
Explore each of the 3 questions and write a personal reflection that describes your experiences and thoughts in the three areas. Think about the terms and concepts in class we have discussed to help you express your ideas clearly and concisely. You are also expected to refer to the Tatum article as well as one of the TedTalks in your paper (cite, paraphrase).
For example, Tatum’s point about the self as ‘multidimensional’ really resonated with me because….
For example, I disagree/agree/ with Adichie’s perspective because…
A self-reflection is about you. For this assignment, you are writing about your own identity and aspects that make that identity real.
Remember, I am not asking about the culture in which you live. I am asking about your own experiences and reflections on the aspects of life that make you unique.
If you write only about your country, and not yourself, your score will be much lower.
So in summary:
You will write a self-reflection.
This paper isn’t about your home country; it is about your thoughts and experiences.
Your paper should be at least 2-3 pages. There is no maximum, so you can write as much as you want.
Your paper should refer to the Tatum article and one TedTalk (Adichie or Selasi)
Your paper should use 5 of the terms from chapter 1 or 2 correctly and in bold
Your paper should use the standards of academic writing.
