top of page

UNDERSTANDING IDENTITY

The first section of this resource guide revolves around understanding your own identity and how that plays out in various contexts. "Understanding Identity" has four sections laid out below to work through and adapt with your student organization.

1. "Sometimes You're a Caterpillar" 

Social Identity Chart

  • Take 10 minutes to individually fill in your own social identities in the chart below (reference the table for examples).

  • Questions for individual reflection and group dialogue:

    • ​What identity do you think about the most? The least?

    • How does this change across settings and context? Why do you think that change happens?

This chart and table are a part of the University of Michigan's Ginsberg Center's Massive Open Online Course, Community Engagement: Collaborating for Change. https://ginsberg.umich.edu/article/community-engagement-collaborating-change 

"Sometimes You're a Caterpillar"

  • Watch the video below and reflect on its relation to the Social Identity Chart.

2. "The Danger of a Single Story" 

"Overview of the Development of...Identity and Attitudes in Children and Youth"

  • Before or after reading the PDF above, look up the definition of "implicit bias" for further context.

  • Questions for individual reflection and group dialogue:

    • ​​What is your initial reaction to the early development of biases and prejudices? 
    • Can you recall any instances in childhood where these biases were present? Can you point to the root of these biases?
      ​
"The Danger of a Single Story"

  • Watch the TED Talk below with the concept of "implicit bias" in mind.

  • Questions for individual reflection and group dialogue:

    • ​​What was the major theme(s) of the talk? What stood out?
    • Have you seen this TED Talk before? If so, have you gained/ learned/ realized anything new? 
    • How do you think this connects to "Overview of the Development..." (above) and implicit bias? 
    • What are your thoughts on strategies to challenge learned biases and prejudices?
      ​

3. Your Educational Story 

A Moment of Self-Reflection

  • As a group, share your general feelings on education and your educational experience.

  • Take ​5-10 minutes to individually timeline your education (anywhere between pre-K and now). Draw special focus to key moments that have shaped your feelings toward education and/or have brought you to where you are now.

  • Questions for individual reflection and group dialogue:

    • Who was involved in the key moments?

    • How are social identities involved, affected by, etc. in these key moments?

    • How do you define privilege? How do you think privilege did or did not play a role in your education?
       

4. Understanding Identity Development 

"Understanding White Racial Identity Development"

  • Click on the PDF above to read Sandra Lawrence and Beverly Tatum's "White Racial Identity and Anti-Racist Education: A Catalyst for Change." Focus specifically on the section titled "Understanding White Racial Identity Development."

  • Questions for individual reflection and group dialogue:

    • ​​No matter racial identity, what stage of identity development do you believe you are in?(Contact, disintegration, reintegration, pseudoindependence, immersion/emersion, autonomy)

    • Can you recall key moments from one or more stages in your personal life?

    • Beyond race, what identities do you think play the biggest factor in this model of identity development? The smallest?

    • Has your educational experience helped to support this development? Has it hindered it

    • What are ways you can actively work toward autonomy (even if you identify as already being there)?
       

bottom of page