Sociological Imagination Definition

What is the definition of sociological imagination? The understanding I have acquired from C. Wright Mills is, “the vivid awareness of the relationship between personal experience and the wider society.” My personal experiences are deeply related to the wider society just in where, how, and by whom I was raised. Being born and raised in California many do not know the first capital; Vallejo. Vallejo, “The City of Opportunity” the slogan that can be read on all city limits signage. There was once a time that those words carried truth. It is a city that has become known for its crime and violence; a place with lost prestige. In a city shrouded in the darkness of negativity, it is my neighborhood, ethnicity, family, and continued strive for education that has shaped the individual that I have become. Vallejo, CA is the largest city in Solano County, and part of the East Bay Area of San Francisco. It is the most diverse city within the nation. Vallejo is separated by regions and neighborhoods. Individuals take claim to which neighborhood or region they live in, some areas more than others, to the point of gang-like loyalty. I grew up through the 1990s and 2000s in South Vallejo, in the …show more content…
I am multiracial, more specifically, I am Black, Latino, and Caucasian, however, I do not identify entirely with any of the three. Frequently, I have been mistaken for other ethnicities, especially, Samoan or Tongan, due to my large stature and long curly hair. These instances of mistaken identity have worked in my favor, as these ethnicities bring about a fear of harm among others. When I was a youngster I looked up to the WWF wrestler The Rock, who is Samoan and Black, and often attempted to emulate his mannerisms and looks. As I did this, other children, who did not know me personally, believed me to be the son of The Rock. I always enjoyed that mistaken identity and it added to my “hard