Speech-Language Pathological Analysis

As a Sudanese immigrant, I grew up uncertain of how to fit in in the scope of American culture, particularly amongst those with similar ethnicities and race. Personally, stereotype threat was something I experienced growing up, as I was not sure how I needed to act in order to be accepted by my peers, and I did not want to conform to what I perceived as negative stereotypes normally associated with people of color. My parents raised us to speak and act in a manner they deemed proper, and the combination of my speech patterns and personality traits found me floundering at times to fit in, as I was considered an “Oreo” by my Caucasian and African American peers. I was constantly insecure about my intelligence, my speech, and how I was coming across to others. This pattern of thinking was shaken only by an eventual refusal to apologize for the characteristics and experiences that have made me who I am. I now embrace my love for language, education, healthcare, and children, and remain vocal about what it means to be black in America. I found out about speech-language pathology when I was seventeen, and have since noted the low number of ethnically and culturally diverse professionals in the field. Generally, speech-language pathologists interact and …show more content…
Stone and Presidential Graduate Diversity Scholarship, it would emphasize that to be a person of color in America means something different to each individual. To me, it means that I will continue to break boundaries and exceed expectations, as the only outline I am currently following is my own. There is no correct way to be a black woman, just as there is no correct way to be a person of any other race or ethnicity. We all have experiences that eventually shape our behaviors, thoughts, beliefs, and desires, which in turn define who we are as individuals. At the core, I am a Sudanese American woman with a desire to help others find their voice and gain confidence in their