“Exploring My Intersecting Identities: A Reflection on How They Shape My Life and Relationships”

Each of us has multiple intersecting identities. Think about your many identities, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, religion/spirituality, nationality, immigration status, and socioeconomic status and how they have impacted your development and relationship with society. Do not just report on your identities; rather reflect on how your identities influence how you see yourself and how you relate to others (i.e., family, friends, community) and the world. Consider how identities intersect to inform your experience. Provide examples of these experiences. Here are some questions to consider, though you don’t need to answer them all: ● How did you “learn” about your identities? What messages were you “taught” and by whom? What is the impact of these messages on how you behave and see yourself or others? What messages do you “teach” to others about these identities? ● When have these identities been a factor in making a big decision in your life? What roles did they play? What did you have to consider? ● In what ways do aspects of your identities intersect? How is this helpful or challenging? ● How do the concepts of power and privilege relate to each of your identities? In what ways do you hold power/privilege (or not)? How do your identities impact your interactions with others and the world? ● In what ways might your identities impact you as a social worker? In what ways may these identities be a challenge or an asset? ● What communities or groups do your identities give you access with or opportunities? In what ways do they inhibit access/opportunities? ● What aspects of your identity are most salient/present to you daily? Why is this? What aspects of your identity seem present to others around you? How do you notice this? How has this changed over your lifetime? ● Similarly, what aspects of your identity are least salient/present to you daily? Why is this? What aspects of your identity seem least present to others around you? How do you notice this? How has this changed over your lifetime?  
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