By researching and studying one’s relationship to identity categories in U.S. society, it is possible for us to gain an appreciation about ourselves as individuals and our many similarities and differences.

Please answer step by step to all requirements questions.

By researching and studying one’s relationship to identity categories in U.S. society, it is possible for us to gain an appreciation about ourselves as individuals and our many similarities and differences. 

1. In your introduction paragraph, rank the up to eight categories (race/ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, class/socioeconomic status, (dis)ability, language, and one other aspect of your identity that has privileged or marginalized you; such as age, personality, nationality, consider Duckworth Wheel, etc.) from most important to least important in regards to who you are as an individual. 

2. In the body of your reflection, write one paragraph for at least 5 of your identity categories that you have a strong connection to… Please follow the prompts below: 

a. Critically reflect on your own values and implicit/explicit biases in terms of your social context, your family background, your relationship to others, and other factors determined by your life’s circumstances and upbringing (TPE 6.2, Introduce). *If you do not identify within a certain category, discuss your positionality with respect to that category.

b. Discuss how your identity is shaped by the context of broader patterns in historical, social, psychological, sociological, political, economic, religious, and other cultural trends, patterns, or cycles and interventions that you have learned about. Here, you should connect your experiences to class readings, videos, assignments, activities, and/or discussions.

c. Based on your readings, class discussion and lectures, did your journey through the schooling system embrace and support you or did it deny you access.  Did you have experiences in school that supported that piece of your identity or challenged it?  What would have/ or did support (strategies we have discussed) you in your journey through the schooling system?  Did it challenge or encourage your success? 

3. In your conclusion paragraph, summarize the key points of your reflection. Discuss how your identity categories position you in society (e.g. dominant, subordinate) and how you plan on taking your learnings into your work as an educator, community member, and/or professional in another field.