When reflecting on my life’s path and my position within the groups I identify as a member of, it is an interesting and worthwhile task to explore how they are directly situated within the web of oppression. While I like to consider myself as an individual who strives to live in accordance with values that nurture a sense of inclusivity and peace, it would be ignorant for me to believe that the groups in which I belong have historically advocated for similar virtues. Whether it be my family upbringing, education, spiritual tradition, or political affiliation – a sense of division is caused, thereby further cultivating an environment of inequality and disunion from others. Throughout this paper I hope to compartmentalize these many identities and embark on a journey to better understand myself as it relates to a world plagued with violence, famine, hatred, and war.
I was born into a working class family in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. My father being a poor Scottish immigrant and my mother being born into an economically disadvantaged family living in the impoverished Stanley Isaacs Housing Project, I was immediately taught the value and dignity that comes from hard work. As my parents both worked fulltime jobs throughout my youth, I am fortunate to say that I was able to have a palpable …show more content…
Unfortunately, these generalizations that the public oftentimes connects to traditional Catholics is not a caricature too far from the truth. For example, I belong to Old Saint Joseph’s, the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. While I do appreciate this parish and have deep respect for its highly educated staff of socially conscious and progressive Jesuits, I struggle with the church’s lack of racial
I was born into a working class family in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. My father being a poor Scottish immigrant and my mother being born into an economically disadvantaged family living in the impoverished Stanley Isaacs Housing Project, I was immediately taught the value and dignity that comes from hard work. As my parents both worked fulltime jobs throughout my youth, I am fortunate to say that I was able to have a palpable …show more content…
Unfortunately, these generalizations that the public oftentimes connects to traditional Catholics is not a caricature too far from the truth. For example, I belong to Old Saint Joseph’s, the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. While I do appreciate this parish and have deep respect for its highly educated staff of socially conscious and progressive Jesuits, I struggle with the church’s lack of racial