Social Identities and Privilege- Alex Phelps

During our in-class discussion on social identities and privilege, I found myself feeling incredibly humbled. Listening to my peers talk about their lived experiences through various facets of their identities caused me to realize the various aspects of my identity that I am not aware of on a day-to-day basis. My privilege as a White American has handed me social, economic, and political privileges that members of minority races often do not receive. When applying for jobs and internships, my race has not detrimentally impacted my chances of obtaining a certain position. When looking at the politicians who represent my hometown and my home state, most are the same race as I am. This grants me privilege, as those people in elected office consciously and subconsciously make decisions that favor the White American identity.


My White American identity is not salient in my day-to-day life because it is a privilege that I often take for granted as a member of a majority group. While in Zambia, I expect this aspect of my identity to become more salient. Perhaps some people will be curious to understand this aspect of my identity and will express their curiosity through questions and an effort to get to know me. Or, perhaps people will be curious about this aspect of my identity and will consequently make assumptions about and seek ways to reinforce preconceived stereotypes. I will attempt to tell my own story about my individualized identity experience with the hopes of proving stereotypes to be false.


As global citizens, we must constantly check in with ourselves and analyze the privileges that we hold. This becomes especially important when adapting to different situations because our relative privilege may shift as well. If we can continue to discuss and be privy to our own privileges, we will consequently be able to learn more from the community within which we work. We will be more conscious of the various aspects of our identity, which will allow for greater understanding and communication within and between our cohort and the Zambian people.


The opportunity to participate in this GSL program grants me power as a global citizen. Through learning from and living in a new culture, I will become a more integrated part of this world. My experience as a global citizen will widen and deepen as I listen to people’s voices and candidly live in a new culture.


I anticipate that my identity as an American student will be apparent while in country. While I cannot express the experiences of all American students, I hope to tell my own story so that people can understand this aspect of my identity in an unfiltered sense.