Social and Personal Identity
Social and personal identity is what defines an individual. The world is made up of people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds. In the U.S. for instance, the persons from the African American and Chinese backgrounds have over the years been subjected to issues of racial discrimination and marginalization from the whites that consider themselves as superior. Other than race, gender is also used as an aspect that categorizes individuals. In addition to the straight male and female sexes, there has also been an expansion in the LGBT network in various countries around the world. Different religions exist across the globe, including Christianity, Islamic, and Hinduism among others, and these also define a person. In this paper, a major focus will be directed on identity and diversity from my perspective.
Discussion of the Characters of Identity
As I grew up, I had little information on my ethnic and cultural backgrounds. My parents are from the Chinese community, and that makes me one. According to my dad, I was born when racial discriminations directed to the people of my race were still rife. I have on several occasions been subjected to such segregations from my classmates and in public institutions but that has never watered down my quest to attain several life goals. My mother has always been on the frontline in informing me about why I have to be proud of my race and culture. She has severally advised me on the essence interacting with individuals from other races. I have to say that in the past one year, I have made several friends from various cultural backgrounds, and that to me is a major achievement.
Religion and Identity
Religion is another aspect of my identity that has in one way or the other impacted my life either directly or indirectly. As a child, I was brought up in a staunch Buddhism family. We attended one of the Buddhist dominions in the region. However, after getting to the adolescent stage, I changed my religion and shifted to Christianity. I am currently a Christian, and I have never regretted the decision. Nevertheless, I find it hard interacting with persons from the Islamic dominion, citing some of their beliefs that I hardly agree with. However, in the recent past, I have started changing my attitude towards them. Despite some of those persons from the Islamic religion being accused of engaging in terror-related activities, it is a high time that I changed my views on the Islam.
Gender Identity
I freely interact with individuals from all genders. As a young man, one of my goals in the future is to settle down, marry a good woman, and have a family. I am a straight male member of my community. The society is, however, dotted with individuals that are facing sexual identity issues. Over the years, the LGBT group, for instance, has gained popularity (Wearing 112). Initially, my dad had made me understand that these persons had no chance in the community. However, I have learned to accept the gays and lesbians as fellow human beings, and came to realization that their rights need to be protected.
Barriers and Opportunities Created by the Identity
Opportunities
My race has brought a combination of opportunities and barriers in my life. One of the opportunities that I have enjoyed is my excellent academic performance which has secured me several scholarships to study in some of the best universities around the country. Additionally, I have also made several friends, not only from my community but also other cultural backgrounds. Moreover, it is because of my race that I have learned about the need for equality irrespective of culture.
I also freely interact with persons from different genders. With that, I have managed to build various networks that have not only contributed to an enhancement in my academic performance but also have given me a bigger picture of my career path. Moreover, I have changed my perspective on the LGBT, and I do believe that the persons need to receive equal treatment, like that of the other members of the community.
My religious beliefs have been instrumental in strengthening my moral values. In my church, we are taught about the love for other humans, ensuring that we do what is right. Such basic principles have been critical in proving that I lead a life of hard work, integrity, and honesty. I do believe that the values that I have attained from my church will also be essential at my workplace in the future and provide me with the necessary guidance on how I will interact with persons from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Barriers
One of the barriers that have been imposed in my life due to identity has been the issue of racial discrimination. It became evident to me that I had a long walk of life ahead of me that would be marred by discrimination as early as grade school. Some of the children from the white community would from time to time tell my friend and I that we had no chance in the community. Initially, I was tormented psychologically but over the years, I have adopted mechanisms to help in dealing with the issue. I have occasionally had to avoid some joints, fearing that I will be subjected to open discrimination because of my skin complexion.
Another barrier comes from my distant interaction with those from the Islamic religion. With my belief that most of those persons that promote terrorist activities come from the religion, I had a hard time interacting with the people from the Islam. In the process, I have lost several friends that would have impacted my life positively. I have since changed my views and will freely interact with persons from any religious group. With that capability, I believe, I will be able to meet some of my goals in future.
Impacts of Social Identity on My Future
I interact freely with people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I have built social relationship networks in my community, including networks with persons from different races. In the process, I have managed to get empowered with knowledge and ideas that will be of essence not only for my life but also my career path in the future. With the interactions, I have learned about the importance of cultural diversity and the need for inclusivity in organizations (Goldsmith Web). By strengthening my social interaction, for instance, I will be on the frontline in promoting cultural diversity in the workplaces, and in so doing; I will contribute to enhancement of the firms’ performance. Besides, my tolerant attitude towards people practicing different religion as well as the ones facing gender identity issues will enable smooth socialization at diverse workplace, which, in turn, will guarantee efficiency in carrying out of duties.
My religious belief has been one of the main reasons behind my strengthened moral value, and this will be instrumental in my future. Upon completing school, I will start a family, and I will ensure that my children also share good values. Other than doing what is right in life, it is because of religion that my social interactions with persons from different races have improved. This fact will be vital in my future quest to empower my society on matters pertaining to positive living and equality. I will also use some of the ideologies that I will derive from my religion in the workplace. For instance, I will help in enforcing ethical codes of conduct that all employees will have to abide by. Workers will be required to uphold values, such as transparency, honesty, integrity, and diligence (Wearing 56). I also plan to extend the ethics to the business that I plan to set up to supplement my income.
Conclusion
Based on the above reflection essay, it is evident that my family has formed a foundation where I have over the years derived my values. My community has also been essential in positively impacting my life. I have on several occasions been subjected to racial discrimination, but this has never derailed me from meeting my goals. I interact with individuals from all ethnic backgrounds, and this has been pivotal in increasing my network of friends. In the process, I have gained innovative ideas and knowledge that, I do believe, will be essential for my career path in the future. Developmental of my social identity will be vital in ensuring that I am on the frontline in the integration of inclusivity in those organizations where I will discharge my services.
Works Cited
Goldsmith, Marshall. "Learn To Embrace The Tension Of Diversity." Harvard Business Review. N.p., 2018. Web. 23 Jan. 2018.
Wearing, Michael. Social Identity. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2011.
