Social Identity and Privilege (CP)
Social identity is complicated concept that is shaped very much shaped by the social context and environment around us. Thus, depending on the context, certain aspects of our identity are more obvious and salient than others. Therefore, it is important for us to examine aspects of our identities and determine which aspects may have effect on our experiences in Zambia.
One of the most salient aspect of my identity that has had a profound effect on my life is my identity as Southeast Asian and Vietnamese. I grew up and had spent my entire life in Vietnam before I came to the U.S to attend Cornell. The environment I grew up in was an entirely Vietnamese context with little to no diversity. As such, I never felt the need to identify myself as Asian or even Vietnamese, as it was the norm for everyone around me. When I first got to Cornell, not only did I have to identify as Asian and Vietnamese but also it was also one of the most important aspect of my identity. Being Asian was one of the first things that people recognized in me, and one of the first things I introduce myself as was Vietnamese. Even though I had always been Asian and Vietnamese, I had to figure out what exactly being Asian and Vietnamese meant in an environment like the Cornell campus, an environment with so much diversity all around.
I predict that this aspect of my identity will have an effect on my experience while in Zambia. In the Zambian context, there has been a growing Asian, and more specifically Chinese, influence. Zambia has become one of the leading exporter of raw materials to China and China has made considerable investments in the mining sector as well as in Zambian infrastructure. I’ve also found from my research that there is a considerable Chinese and Indian population living in Zambia as well. With the growing presence of Asian cultures and identities, it is clear that my identity as Asian and Vietnamese will have an impact on my interactions with Zambian culture and people as well as social perceptions of Asian identity in Zambia. Much like when I first got to Cornell, I’m excited to find out what it means to be Asian in the Zambian context.
Another aspect of my identity that has had a big influence on my lived experience is my identity as a student of Cornell, a prestigious institution. I believe this aspect will have a profound effect on my experiences in Zambia. Being a Cornell student gives me certain privileges that might not be available to everyone. It is important that I’m aware of the privilege that this aspect of my identity brings in my interactions in Zambia.
Aspects of our identity interact differently in different contexts and situations. It is important that we are aware of the privileges that each aspect of our identity affords us and how it interacts with a specific social context so that we can behave appropriately. However, in examining the privileges of our identities, we must also acknowledge the different identities and privileges as well as hardships of others around us. It is also important to realize that our differences present an opportunity to learn from one another and expand our knowledge.
My social identity has afforded me many privileges that determines how much power I have as a global citizen. As a Cornell student, I have access to a huge amount of knowledge and resources as well as opportunities, like the GSL Zambia program, in become a global citizen. This privilege also provides a platform for me to speak and express my opinions as well as research to an audience, which is not available to many people. It is important that I utilize these opportunities to contribute to the community that enabled such opportunities.
The aspects of my identity that will be most apparent in Zambia would be my race as well as my identity as a Cornell student. I’m eager to find out how these different aspects of my identity will interplay with the social context of Zambia but also cognizant of the privileges I possess because of these identities and how it might affect my interactions. I look forward to figuring out these issues and learning more about myself and my identity throughout the program.
One of the most salient aspect of my identity that has had a profound effect on my life is my identity as Southeast Asian and Vietnamese. I grew up and had spent my entire life in Vietnam before I came to the U.S to attend Cornell. The environment I grew up in was an entirely Vietnamese context with little to no diversity. As such, I never felt the need to identify myself as Asian or even Vietnamese, as it was the norm for everyone around me. When I first got to Cornell, not only did I have to identify as Asian and Vietnamese but also it was also one of the most important aspect of my identity. Being Asian was one of the first things that people recognized in me, and one of the first things I introduce myself as was Vietnamese. Even though I had always been Asian and Vietnamese, I had to figure out what exactly being Asian and Vietnamese meant in an environment like the Cornell campus, an environment with so much diversity all around.
I predict that this aspect of my identity will have an effect on my experience while in Zambia. In the Zambian context, there has been a growing Asian, and more specifically Chinese, influence. Zambia has become one of the leading exporter of raw materials to China and China has made considerable investments in the mining sector as well as in Zambian infrastructure. I’ve also found from my research that there is a considerable Chinese and Indian population living in Zambia as well. With the growing presence of Asian cultures and identities, it is clear that my identity as Asian and Vietnamese will have an impact on my interactions with Zambian culture and people as well as social perceptions of Asian identity in Zambia. Much like when I first got to Cornell, I’m excited to find out what it means to be Asian in the Zambian context.
Another aspect of my identity that has had a big influence on my lived experience is my identity as a student of Cornell, a prestigious institution. I believe this aspect will have a profound effect on my experiences in Zambia. Being a Cornell student gives me certain privileges that might not be available to everyone. It is important that I’m aware of the privilege that this aspect of my identity brings in my interactions in Zambia.
Aspects of our identity interact differently in different contexts and situations. It is important that we are aware of the privileges that each aspect of our identity affords us and how it interacts with a specific social context so that we can behave appropriately. However, in examining the privileges of our identities, we must also acknowledge the different identities and privileges as well as hardships of others around us. It is also important to realize that our differences present an opportunity to learn from one another and expand our knowledge.
My social identity has afforded me many privileges that determines how much power I have as a global citizen. As a Cornell student, I have access to a huge amount of knowledge and resources as well as opportunities, like the GSL Zambia program, in become a global citizen. This privilege also provides a platform for me to speak and express my opinions as well as research to an audience, which is not available to many people. It is important that I utilize these opportunities to contribute to the community that enabled such opportunities.
The aspects of my identity that will be most apparent in Zambia would be my race as well as my identity as a Cornell student. I’m eager to find out how these different aspects of my identity will interplay with the social context of Zambia but also cognizant of the privileges I possess because of these identities and how it might affect my interactions. I look forward to figuring out these issues and learning more about myself and my identity throughout the program.
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