“The Value of Otherness”
Brother Saga Gillan spoke about otherness and sameness. We were introduced to his roots and how he defined himself. He explained that his parents contribute a majority of who he is as an individual. During his presentation, we participated in an exercise that would depict otherness and sameness. This activity left me perplexed and unsure of my choice and surroundings.
Brother Saga mentioned the legacy people carry from one generation to another. Moreover, he used college degrees as an example. I am a first generation Mexican-American, and I will be the first one in my family to obtain a college degree. In addition, Brother Saga stated, “Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shoes their image.” In our class, we have …show more content…
The second question he asked was, “If you are white go to the left side. If you are African American or a person of color go to the right side.” I was bewildered. I asked him, “Does this include other ethnicities for the right side.” He said, “Yes.” I walked to the right side because I identified myself as a Mexican-American. Immediately, one of the students on this side said to me, “You’re not a person of color.” I did not reassure her that I was Mexican because I did not see a need to prove to a stranger my ethnicity. However, in that moment, I felt that because I am light skinned, I am not “Mexican enough.” Therefore, I did not belong to this group. Where did I belong? I refused to go to the left side, because that would mean I would be rejecting my Hispanic heritage. Nonetheless, the right side where the “other” ethnicities were, I was not considered one of them by one person. I reflected on my past experience where my Mexican roots were questioned by other people. For instance, I have had people tell me, “If it wasn’t because of your dark hair, I wouldn’t be able to recognize you as a Mexican.” This reduced my identity to be dependent on the color of my hair. In addition, I thought about my brother; he has an afro, which he inherited from my dad. He was asked, “How are you Mexican and have an afro?” Furthermore,
Brother Saga Gillan spoke about otherness and sameness. We were introduced to his roots and how he defined himself. He explained that his parents contribute a majority of who he is as an individual. During his presentation, we participated in an exercise that would depict otherness and sameness. This activity left me perplexed and unsure of my choice and surroundings.
Brother Saga mentioned the legacy people carry from one generation to another. Moreover, he used college degrees as an example. I am a first generation Mexican-American, and I will be the first one in my family to obtain a college degree. In addition, Brother Saga stated, “Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shoes their image.” In our class, we have …show more content…
The second question he asked was, “If you are white go to the left side. If you are African American or a person of color go to the right side.” I was bewildered. I asked him, “Does this include other ethnicities for the right side.” He said, “Yes.” I walked to the right side because I identified myself as a Mexican-American. Immediately, one of the students on this side said to me, “You’re not a person of color.” I did not reassure her that I was Mexican because I did not see a need to prove to a stranger my ethnicity. However, in that moment, I felt that because I am light skinned, I am not “Mexican enough.” Therefore, I did not belong to this group. Where did I belong? I refused to go to the left side, because that would mean I would be rejecting my Hispanic heritage. Nonetheless, the right side where the “other” ethnicities were, I was not considered one of them by one person. I reflected on my past experience where my Mexican roots were questioned by other people. For instance, I have had people tell me, “If it wasn’t because of your dark hair, I wouldn’t be able to recognize you as a Mexican.” This reduced my identity to be dependent on the color of my hair. In addition, I thought about my brother; he has an afro, which he inherited from my dad. He was asked, “How are you Mexican and have an afro?” Furthermore,