This self-reflection paper will examine my personal responses to the recording I made May 28, 2015, in which I answered questions regarding my understanding of my own racial identity, my experiences and images of specific racial groups, my attitudes about contemporary racial issues, and my hope for future social change. First, I will first consider my initial responses to the recording, then track my changes in understanding of my racial identity based on Sue’s White Racial Identity Development model (Sue, 2006). Next I will reflect on my changing understanding of institutional and systemic racism, and Finally, I will explore the evolution of my racial identity during this semester. Throughout the paper I will reference resources that have helped to shape my understanding.
Initial Responses to the Recording
The most prominent response I felt in listening to my original recording was sadness. I heard myself speaking so tentatively, so carefully, as if I was afraid of the consequences if someone happened to listen to my monologue and I hadn’t given the “right” answers. Looking back, I know I held a fear of being embarrassed and humiliated for my ignorance and blindness. I imagined being “schooled” …show more content…
126–127). But I do now see myself as a “racial/cultural being” (Sue, 2006, p. 126), I have definitely gained awareness of the sociopolitical influences on racism, I’ve come to appreciate diversity, and I am definitely “becoming more committed to eradicating oppression” (p. 126). I don’t, however, feel confident that I have developed the “inner sense of security and strength” necessary to “function in a society that is only marginally accepting of integratively aware White persons” (Sue, 2006, p. 127). I hadn’t thought much about being accepted in that way, but maybe part of settling into this stage is realizing that acceptance is no longer the most important quality to
Initial Responses to the Recording
The most prominent response I felt in listening to my original recording was sadness. I heard myself speaking so tentatively, so carefully, as if I was afraid of the consequences if someone happened to listen to my monologue and I hadn’t given the “right” answers. Looking back, I know I held a fear of being embarrassed and humiliated for my ignorance and blindness. I imagined being “schooled” …show more content…
126–127). But I do now see myself as a “racial/cultural being” (Sue, 2006, p. 126), I have definitely gained awareness of the sociopolitical influences on racism, I’ve come to appreciate diversity, and I am definitely “becoming more committed to eradicating oppression” (p. 126). I don’t, however, feel confident that I have developed the “inner sense of security and strength” necessary to “function in a society that is only marginally accepting of integratively aware White persons” (Sue, 2006, p. 127). I hadn’t thought much about being accepted in that way, but maybe part of settling into this stage is realizing that acceptance is no longer the most important quality to