Effect of Cultural and Racial Identity on Self-Image

Effect of Cultural and Racial Identity on Self-Image Many factors contribute to making up the identity of an individual, their self-image and how they portray themselves. Some of these factors include: beliefs, culture, gender, race, amongst others. Usually, people in a society tend to base their initial knowledge of other people on stereotypical generalizations that originate from these various aspects of identity. In many cases, these generalizations that hastily become the known myths do not necessarily tell the truth about a certain group of people with major similarities like cultural background or race. This ends up creating a standard that society indirectly confers on these people who in return, may or may not conform to these standards. Personally, I fall under the category of people that do not live according to what may seem like societal standards when analyzing the average Canadian teenager. My cultural and racial identity sum up the major aspects that influence my self-image because my physical characteristics causes soci ety to not see beyond my cultural background, gender and values. As an illustration, my cultural and racial background is physically evident because I have distinct features like my skin colour, that show I am Black. Also, when I talk my accent clearly depicts that I am a West-African, more specifically a proud Nigerian girl. This impacts my self-image tremendously because it serves as a constant reminder of my place of origin. Being a true Nigerian child comes with the training I get to enable me become a responsible lady in the nearest future. This is because I have certain responsibilities and standards to live by as a result of my upbringing as a child. For example, in my childhood the importance of working hard was constantly preached by my parents, elders at church, school and even my surroundings. House chores were seen as the primary duties of the children in the home and being the youngest of five did not really help this fact. My place in the family as the last born put me in the position of the errand person. My older ones were more lik e my supervisors and to them, having me assist whenever there was a need to wash clothes, cook, sweep the house and many more, made me more responsible as I grew older. Up until this point, this makes me see myself as an active role player in my life and maturation process. On the other hand, this is different from how the people around me would judge me. A recent example is when I moved into residence at York University. Being evidently African, a fellow student living on the same floor admitted she thought I would be really â€Å"ratchet†. By this, she meant her expectations of me were low. She thought I was the loud party girl that every guy knew and had sexual history with. She was surprised to find out I am actually a reserved and simple girl who is academic oriented. Her reason for thinking this way came from her encounters with few other Black girls in the past who did not act responsibly because of their issues with drugs, smoking and boys. This made her judge me befo re she even got to know me for who I truly am. Secondly, being a girl influences my self-image because it is one physical aspect of my identity that speaks for me before I do. As a female child born into a patriarchal society like that of the Nigerian society, your ideal stages in life have practically been laid out for you to follow. It starts from growing up being responsible and hardworking, then working hard to make sure you are academically successful because education is very important. After this, you get your career and at the â€Å"right time†, get married when your destined husband finds you. For instance, when I was a younger child growing up, my mum always told me stories of how being a good mother or wife is not easy, but worth it. She would always encourage me to watch her whenever she was cooking, serving my dad his food or arranging the house. She constantly emphasized on the importance of being industrious as a lady and potential wife. This means that as a female in the average Nigerian home, your purpose in life seems incomplete if you do not plan on getting married and having children. In other words, after you reach a certain age as a girl, you better start expecting the whole talk about marriage, having grandchildren for your parents and being a good wife, cook and mother when you marry. I do not have a problem with this in any way because I believe that part of the fulfillment of a woman comes from her marrying her true love, having a family and raising her children at some point in her life. Furthermore, my values which are a major component of my identity determine the kind of person I choose to be and eventually become. My main values include, my belief in Jesus Christ as my saviour, abstinence from sex, alcohol and any type of drugs. This makes me see myself as a misfit because I can hardly fit into my environment or society without having to change or compromise my beliefs a little. Most times, people see me as weird and find it hard to believe that I have never gone clubbing, smoked or at least done something â€Å"cool†. An occurrence that I do not think I will ever forget was in the summer of grade eleven which is about two years ago. I met a guy who happened to be a friend of my close friend. The three of us spent time together at the mall while the guy was trying to get to know me better by asking me questions about my school, background amongst others. I thought he was a nice person. Eventually, he asked if we could â€Å"chill† and I was not sure of what he meant. Regardless, I said no because and gave an excuse of having to go pick my nephew up from school. In all honesty, I did not feel like going out with a guy, especially someone I just met for the first time. To cut the long story short, he ended up walking halfway home with me because he claimed he lived in the same neighbourhood as me. Later on, I figured that by â€Å"chill† he meant he was sexually attracted to me and he just wanted to get something from me because he thought I was that type of girl. I could see disappointment written all over his face when I totally refused his advancements towards me. He said he had never been refused by any girl with a similar racial or cultural background as me. To say the least, I was disgusted at the fact that someone of the opposite gender would actually disregard my belief in sexual purity and abstinence then, judge me in such a disrespectful manner because of my skin color and cultural background. All in all, I believe that my body goes beyond my physical beauty and what I look like. It encompasses everything about me, ranging from the smallest to the biggest. The way I see myself is also as a result of a combinations of all these factors like how other people see me and judge me. I cannot blame society for their judgements of me, but I can expect better because a person goes beyond his or her cover which is the body. You have to remove the cover in this sense and see every single thing is contains beneath it. As a result of this self-image continuously develops as a person grows and this is my story. I know that despite what my cultural and racial identity entails, I will continuously amaze myself with personal growth and maturity. I will reach beyond the set boundaries and expectations.

Essay --

Christopher (2011) argues that the term called reverse logistics is used to depict the step of taking products back, generally at the end-of-life, but also for repair and recall. Reverse logistics can be defined as a chain of process to recover or sell the value of a product. That is if a company think supply chain stream in reverse, the one can make a decision the best way to deal with the bounced product. Especially, reverse logistics has received keen attention in the supply chain literature, since it mirrors the capacity of a company within supply chain to affirmatively effect the relationship that customers (Horvath et al., 2005). In addition, reverse logistics triggers main cost result for both the enterprise and its supply chain (Daugherty et al., 2005). As mentioned above, reverse logistics has been an essential structural component to make strategy in whole supply chain (Daugherty et al., 2001). Among a variety of industrial fields, automotive industry is the sector that has one of the complicated supply chains as car enterprises have vertical business relation with their suppliers to control thousands of parts for making a car. It means that the car parts companies should have their own supply chain to maintain relationship with their collaborating companies, and logistics also have to be operated to meet service demands of customers in supply chain. This dissertation presents a study of the effect according to reverse logistics strengthen in automotive parts supply chain. There are drivers promoting importance of reverse logistics. Regarding to this, Literature could be grouped as three parts: unavoidable returns, environmental and economic aspects. First of all, There are a few reasons for unavoidable returns of mate... ... and people. They can also consider reverse logistics as a method to keep and manage their brand reputations, to market their products as well as to obtain competitive benefits (Marien, 1998). It is critical for the major companies which lead the market to improve environmentally sustainable business since environmentally unkind products and materials would be detrimental to firms’ reputations and then could trigger a significant damage. The literature review shows that there are attempts to identify the factors driving reverse logistics strengthen. As a result, it is construed that there are three main reasons and they will signpost to find the objective of this dissertation. Based on these views, this dissertation will discuss and analysis the effect according to increase of importance of reverse logistics, focusing on supply chain in an automotive parts industry.

International Student Identity Essay

Identity is sort of behaviour that can be symbolized by individual or communities by showing how they interact to each other and how they represent their culture of origin. These essay will discuss and analyse some theories of indentity through culture and languange views and then show the reader how these lense might influence international student identity. The structure of essay will be organised as follows; First of all, introduction will explain an overview of it. This is followed by describing the theory of identity. The next section is about discussion of identity by using culture and language focuses. Furthermore, writer will explain the impact of new culture and language to international student’s current and future experience. Finally, a conslusion paragraph will be the final section of the essay. What is Identity? In last three decades, the theory of identity evolves continously. According to Borowski (1976, 501), identity does not have a definite concept. Many scholars explore what identity is. For example, in his paper, Burke and Reitzes (1981) summarise the work of McCall and Simmons (1966), Stryker (1968), and Burke and Tully (1977) to divide the concept of identity in three unique characteristics that are, identities are produced by society, identities are personal sense, and identities are spontaneous and representational character. This distinctive feature is obtained by an individual throughout childhood period to become his/her fundamental character (Sokefeld et. al. 1999, 2). Later on, Fearon (1999, 4) broadly explains that identity of a person can be defined as social identity (a person is recognised by â€Å"rules deciding membership and performed characteristic features or attributes†) and personal category (special feature, might be permanent, that make a person is looked important by society). Furthermore, Hall (1990, 222) argues that the theories of identity keep to be produced, â€Å"which is never complete, always in process and always constituted within, not outside, representation† In addition, there are still challenges to identity theory to have obvious meanings that related to self and society (Stryker and Burke 2000, 284). Culture Identity According to archaeological term (SAA 2008), culture means â€Å"a set of learned beliefs, values and behaviours the way of life shared by the members of a society. † It is performed because there is relationship between each of members (Ferdman 1990, 186). They usually gather in a group of society. For example, if some Javanese people (one of Indonesian ethnics) live outside of Indonesia, they tend to live in a place where other Javanese live. They interact with each other and applying Javanese’s values that they have before. These dispositions maintain and develop their values and applying it in their daily living. Other people who are not a member of that society might look this mind-set as culture identity of that society. In addition, Hall (1990, 229) argues that cultural identities are the special character that emerge from history and culture. For instance, culture identities of England and Ireland are quite same, because they have similar history and culture. Cultural identity represents individual or group’s behaviour. According to Kochman (1987, 220 cited in Ferdman 1990, 190), cultural identity can be represented by ethnic and indirect link between an individual and the group. It has main value that the beliefs and act becomes a symbol of the group, and the member realise that he/she has direct relationship with the most important and unique part of their culture (Smolic 1981, 75-77 cited in Ferdman 1990, 190) . This value is simple, however its â€Å"malleability, imprecision, and multivocality†, make cultural identity become complicated (Cohen 1993, 202). Furthermore, it can be influenced by anything because of cultural identity is unstable (Hall 1990, 229). Language Identity Language is generally used when people interact to each other. Yihong et. al. (2005, 39) state that language is not just to communicate, but It associated with culture which create one’s self-identity. Moreover, it represents the identity of a society (Miller 2000, 69). For example, International students from Indonesia, Middle East countries, or China, will speak by using their native language when they interact to student from same country. Indonesian language, Arabic language, Mandarin or Cantonese languages are their identity. People might know who they are by listening to their conversation. Language and identity can not be separated. Scholars argue that language use and identity is inherent with social practices and membership (Miller 2000, 69). He also affirms that self-representation is a product of language use and identity (Miller 2000, 69). How person speaks, what type of vocabularies, represent the identity of the speaker. For instance, a truck driver will not use same language as a Professor use, and a postgraduate student has different style of language that high school student does. Even though they have same mother tongue, such as English, they speak differently because they come from different society. Their identity shows what and how they differ. International Student Identity People who pursue their study to overseas’ university will have new identity as international student. They become member of student society. During study, each individual enacts its duty as student (Fearon 1999, 19). A student can be seen by another member of society as college student, or the other way around. Furthermore, he or she may establish a self-identity embedded with academic consequences (Reitzes and Burke 1982 cited in Reitzes and Burke 1991, 243). By representing their new identity, they should study hard, submit the assignment on time, do some examinations, interact to other students and lecturer, and so on. Being international student in Australia, a person who comes from country which has different culture and language use will do some adjustments related with culture and language. He or she should accustom with Australian or western culture, and using English language more frequent. These adjustments may be done to make his or her study successful and to make their live during here easy. For instance, using English language to communicate to another student from different country and lecturer or tutor is a must; otherwise he or she can not interact. Another illustration is when he or she has group assignment which requires working with Australian student or western countries’ student. Possibly, Australian people is very common with assertive behaviour (Putnis and Petelin 2007, 3. 3), which can annoy him or her. Instead of the study group is unsuccessful, acceptation to this behaviour should be considered, since it has positive impact to the group. Postgraduate student identity It is very interesting for me to deal with new culture. I have to make a lot of adjustments while I am here. For example, I should say â€Å"thank you† to the bus driver to show my politeness and appreciation. It might be sort of Australian culture which is unusual attitude in my country. Another case is about calling a lecturer or someone who has higher position than me just by mentioning his or her first name. For the first time, it is so unfamiliar for me, because in Indonesia, I have to call them by saying ‘Mr’ or ‘Mrs’ before their name. In spite of the example above, I am very surprised to know that drinking alcohol and get drunk is frequently done by most of Australian people. They always do this thing every week end. Using English as new constraint language in the university is a remarkable thing for me. All things that related with my study are in English. At the beginning, it is quite difficult for me to be used to English language, because English is not my first or second language. However, I must try hard to improve my English, by speaking and interacting more often with other native or international student. After all, now I feel my self-representation changes. According to (Yihong et. al. 2005, 39-40), I am in the level of â€Å"self confidence change and additive change. â€Å" As a postgraduate student, to establish reading habit and critical thinking are also new culture for me. To do my assignment well, all problems should be keen evaluated and analytically critiqued (Atkinson and Longman 2003 cited in Davies and Maldoni). They also suggest that critical thinking can be established by doing a lot of reading. For example, I need to read a lot of references to support my opinion in a discussion essay. Impact to my future There are many Australian cultures which can influence my self identity. However, I have to sort whether it will be positive or negatif impact for me. For the negatif one, such as drinking alcohol habit, I will not allow my self to be influenced by that thing. On the other hand, assertive behaviour and the way how Australian people appreciate someone else will give the positive impact for me. In the future, my self will be more assertive and will appreciate people more. Another good impact for me is high level of English proficiency. Practising english everyday will make non-native speaker highly confident (Yihong et. al. 2005, 39-40). Conclusion The concept of identity still changes and many experts try to formulate the suitable definition of identity. New culture and language use which faced by international student will affect to their self identity. These new lenses might have positive or negative impact to them. They will have high self-confidence in interacting to another people. However, they should make a choice to absorb whether native culture is acceptable to be used as their self-representation or not. Reference Borowski, E. J. 1976. Identity and Personal Identity. Mind. 85 (340) : 481-502. http://links. jstor. org/sici? sici=00264423%28197610%292%3A85%3A340%3C481%3AIAPI%3E2. 0. CO%3B2-L (accessed at 24 March 2008). Burke, P. J. and D. C. Reitzes. 1981. The link between identity and role performance Social Psychology Quarterly. 44 (2) : 83-92. http://links. jstor. org/sici? sici=01902725%28198106%2944%3A2%3C83%3ATLBIAR%3E2. 0. CO%3B2 (accessed at 20 March 2008). Cohen, A. P. 1993. Culture as identity: An anthropologist’s view. New Literary History. 24 (1): 195-209. http://links. jstor. org/sici? sici=00286087%28199324%2924%3A1%3C195%3ACAIAAV%3E2. 0. CO%3B2-R (accessed at 27 March 2008). Davies, A. and A. Maldoni. Meeting the Needs of International Postgraduate Students: Modifying the EAP Curriculum for Masters Preparation Programs. http://www. englishaustralia. com. au/index. cgi? E=hcatfuncs&PT=sl&X=getdoc&Lev1=pub_c05_07&Lev2=c04_davie. (accessed at 27 March 2008). Fearon, J. D. 1999. What is identity (as we now use the word). Department of Political Science. Stanford University. http://www. stanford. edu/~jfearon/papers/iden1v2. pdf (accessed at 24 March 2008). Ferdman, B. M. 1990. Literacy and Cultural Identity. Harvard Educational Review. 60 (2): 181. Academic Research Library. http://eric. ed. gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini. jsp ?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ408106&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ408106. (accessed at 27 March 2008). Hall, S. 1990. Culture Identity and Diaspora. http://www. lwbooks. co. uk/ReadingRoom/public/IdentityDiaspora. pdf. (accessed at 27 March 2008). Kagan, H. and Cohen, J. 1990. Cultural adjustment of international students. Psychological Science. 1 (2): 133-137. http://www. blackwell-synergy. com. ezp02. library. qut. edu. au/doi/abs/10. 1111/j. 1467-9280. 1990. tb00082. x (accessed at 27 March 2008). Miller, J. M. 2000. Language use, identity, and social interaction: migrant students in Australia. Research on Language & Social Interaction. 33(1): 69-100. http://dx. doi. org/10. 1207/S15327973RLSI3301_3. (accessed 7 March 2008). Putnis P. and R. Petelin. 2007. Improving personal communication. In QCD210/220/211 book of readings. Brisbane: Queensland University of Technology. Stryker, S. and Burke, P. J. 2000. The past, present, and future of an identity theory. Social Psychology Quarterly. 63 (4) : 284-297. http://links. jstor. org/sici? sici=0190-2725%28200012%2963%3A4%3C284%3ATPPAFO%3E2. 0. CO%3B2-G. (accessed at 24 March 2008). Society for American Archaeology. 1996. http://www. saa. org/publications/sampler/terms. html (accessed at 27 March 2008). Sokefeld, M. , Chaudhary, M. A. , Driessen, H. , Ewing, K. P. , Fuchs. , Gellner, D. N. , Haley, B. D. , et al. 1999. Debating self, identity, and culture in anthropology (and comments and reply). Current Anthropology. 40 (4): 417-447. http://links. jstor. org/sici? sici=00113204%28199908%2F10%2940%3A4%3C417%3ADSIACI%3E2. 0. CO%3B2-5 (accessed at 27 March 2008) Yihong, G. , Ying, C. , Yuan, Z. , and Yan Z. 2005. Self-identity changes and English learning among Chinese undergraduates. World Englishes. 24 (1):

My Vision Of My Utopia - 989 Words

If you could have the power to create your own utopia, what do you envision? There are a vast amount of utopias that one could build, but since imagination is the only source as of now, what characteristics would I consider for my own? There are many questions that might run through one’s head, like for example: What will the utopia look like? What is the social mechanism within this society? Finally, how will everyone eat since no one starves in a utopia? While there are tons of other questions to be asked and answered, I believe these are the best for someone to be able to grasp onto my concept of my own utopia. But since this is only a product of thought, how do I picture my utopia? Everyone’s creativity varies from one to another.†¦show more content†¦These are some distinct features of what my utopia looks like, but for the utopia to function, there has to a social mechanism set in place. Furthermore, there is a social mechanism within this utopia. Since I am creating my own utopia, I decided to also create my social mechanism. With creating my own social mechanism, I thought it would be ideal to go away from a materialistic object, but towards an ideology. I chose spirituality for my people to follow, more specifically, a forest deity. Like most religions, people believe without seeing, so they would be following a non-materialistic object. The people of the utopia believe that there is a deity living within the forest. The social mechanism disguises itself as a spiritual figure that enforces the people to embrace harmony and unity in exchange for protection and shelter. This social mechanism keeps the people of this utopia in line by making them dependent on one another. If no one is willing to get along and work together then survival is limited. The social mechanism is set in place is more like a set of guidelines for the society to follow. So unlike some utopias and dystopias, this mechanism is not set to do good for some, but good for all. With this ideology prominent within this society, it helps follow how everyone eats by farming and distribution. In addition to the social mechanism, it explains how everyone has enough food for survival. All living beings need to consume foods withShow MoreRelatedDifferent Kinds Of Ecological Utopia852 Words   |  4 Pagesgradually pervaded my lovely city; the window shows forever the blurred pircture of the outside world; as I bike along the river, I can’t even capture the shape of a ship. For the first time, the word â€Å"air-pollution† was introduced to and started to be an inescapable part of my life. Some days, I refused to step outside my room, immersed myself in novels and fantasies, as if I could create a different world through reading and dreaming. 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