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Showing posts from August, 2026

Judith Ortiz Cofer says, “The Island travels with you.” What part of your culture, family, or identity do you feel “travels” with you everywhere you go?

  Prompt Response:  A part of my culture that follows me everywhere I go is how I view relationships as a queer person. I often forget that unfortunately many people in America and the world still view queer relationships as morally wrong or outright illegal. Having to face the harsh reality that many people don't view me or other queer people as deserving of love often makes me uncomfortable in real life. Summary: We read a common-lit and answered questions about it Reflection:  I learned more about how a single story of a group of people negatively impacts how others view that group of people

Which learning method do you enjoy the most? Class discussions, worksheet work, or hands-on activities. Select one and tell why.

Prompt Response:  I enjoy small group hands on activities because working with other people helps me learn and understand the subject better and I focus better on hands on activities vs worksheets. Summary: We read an article and wrote about the stereotypes portrayed in the text. Reflection:  I learned more about Latina stereotypes

Write about an experience when someone assumed something about you because of a stereotype. What was the situation, and what did you do?

  Prompt Response:  Someone once assumed that just because I was non-binary that I would be stuck up / annoying about how I identify and how I expect people to respect my identity. I could immediately tell that this person had these beliefs so I simply  preemptively informed them that in reality most non-binary people are quite patient and accepting of those who don't immediately understand queer identities  Summary: we listed positive, neutral, and negative stereotypes about different groups of people Reflection:  I learned more about how different groups of people are stereotyped

In “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, the mother provides her daughter with numerous expectations about how a girl should behave. Reflect on a specific gender expectation within your culture that has been challenging for you to navigate. Then describe one clear example of this expectation and explain why it has been difficult for you. Keep your response concise, vivid, and focused on your personal experience.

Prompt Response:  A specific gender expectation in my culture is that women are expected to dress a certain way especially at formal events. Growing up i never liked wearing frilly "girly" clothing and especially hated being forced to wear dresses to weddings and the like. Even now with my more open style I rarely ever wear dresses only making exceptions for events like homecoming and prom. I only own 1 skirt and its a very non-traditional skirt as it is very long, colorful/wildly patterned, and covered in real seashells. Summary: We wrote a list of stereotypical things we would expect from a husband Reflection:  I learned more about mens stereotypical roles

I too poem

 1. I too am Agnostic 2. the old disagree 3. they insist I am not 4. that I will believe 5. But I do believe  6. I believe in me 7. I believe in the earth 8. I believe in the sky 9. They say "god will judge" 10. but he's never judged me 11. only my mother 12. can be the judge of me 13. so when I look to the sky 14. I see no god 15. all I see 16. is me

Write about a time when you did something out of the norm. What was it and how did others react?

Prompt Response:  a time I did something out of the norm was when at a family friends wedding all of the women wore simple light dresses I wore a dark patterned dress. I got a lot of compliments on the outfit mostly about how unique the outfit was for the occasion  Summary: We discussed questions about gender roles and societal expectations  Reflection:  I learned more about societal expectations of gender roles

Describe a time when you felt completely lost.

Prompt Response:  A time I felt completely lost was on my first day of freshman year. I didn't know if I would have friends in my classes and I didn't know the layout of the building. Summary: We read slides and answered questions relating to gender roles Reflection:  I learned more about how my classmates view gender roles

If someone tried to understand you using only your race, what important things would that person miss? Describe at least three other parts of your cultural identity that help make you who you are.

  Prompt Response:  If someone tried to understand me by only using the fact that im white they would miss the struggles i experience as a young, queer, neurodivergent person. Summary: we watched videos about race and cultural identity and answered questions about them Reflection:  I learned more about the intricacies of race and cultural identities   

Think about the different people, cultures, experiences, communities, interests, and traditions that have shaped who you are. What parts of your identity have had the greatest influence on the person you are today? Have you ever felt pressure to change, hide, or emphasize a part of yourself in order to fit in?

Prompt Response:  The parts of my identity that have the greatest influence on who I am today would be my agnostic beliefs, being queer, and being American. I have often felt like I needed to hide the fact that I am apart of the lbtqia+ community as there are people and places in the south that are unaccepting and even dangerous for queer people. Summary: We read the Poem "A Korean Dream" Reflection:  I learned more about how nationality and ethnicity can cause conflict within someones identity

Describe a meaningful family tradition unique to your culture and explain how it mirrors or contrasts with the cultural identity themes of expectations

Prompt Response:  A meaningful family tradition in my culture is to always wear green on saint patricks day in honor of St Patrick. It mirrors the expectations in certain irish American families to hold onto their irish heritage while also being socially acceptable in modern america Summary: We watched and presented our "Origin of our Name" presentation  Reflection:  I learned more about the names of each of my classmates

3 academic goals I want to achieve this year

 Prompt Response: I would like to be accepted into Missouri State University, get all A's and B's in my classes, and be exempt from all exams. Summary: We set up our blog in class today.