WHO AM I

Main Identity is White or Caucasian My nationality or is German-Russian, Bavarian and Norwegian My great grandparents came from West Germany, which is before the Berlin wall was knocked down in At that time West Germany was occupied and owned by the Russians.

I didn’t just grow up. I was taught to speak when I entered the room. Say please and thank you, to have respect for my elders and to get up off my lazy butt and let the elder in the room have my chair. Say “yes sir” or “no sir”, lend a helping hand to those in need. Hold the door for the person behind me, say “excuse me” when it’s needed and to love people for who they are and not for what I can get from them. I was also taught to treat people the way I want to be treated!

Who am I? This question is actually very hard to answer. I think to myself, “Well, I’m a white, middle-aged, female that works hard every day to raise my family and to have peace on earth. If it’s based on my cultural identity, I was raised to love all people no matter what color or race they are. When I was little, I went to church every Sunday and if I would have to think back, the congregation was all white and Lutheran. My father, being from the military, had strict rules, to obey and listen and to have morals and values.

Being raised in such a strict household really didn’t think to much on anything else. Being prejudice or racist was not the topic of any conversation so I didn’t think it was an issue. When I was in the middle twenties I dated a fellow that was African American, or black. My father did not approve because the bible said that everyone of their own race should be with their own and it was the best interest for the children not to be mixed because they would suffer as they were growing up.

When I had kids of my own, I raised them with the same morals and values. I have a daughter that dates Hispanic and a granddaughter that is half White and half Hispanic. I believe that even though we counteract outside of our race, we still as humans have biases!

My children are grown and because the way society is with diversity, I believe it’s a step closer to a happy median. Education is the key factor about learning how other cultures define who we are as human beings. We need to unlock the racism and become more aware of everyone and everything around us to understand what are purpose is in life. I thought I understood what diversity meant. I was wrong until today!

There is much to learn and with the proper education, there will be harmony with all. This class is teaching me my biases, but I have a lot to learn to be successful in Diversity and in my career as a counselor!