Religion/spirituality and Ethnic/racial identity

Submit a 3- to 4-page paper in which you do the following:
• Use the following identity categories when responding to the assignment points:
o Age
o Ability
o Religion/spirituality
o Ethnic/racial identity
o Socioeconomic status
o National origin
o Sex
o Gender identity and expression
o Sexual orientation
• Identity two ways in which you either hold privilege or lack privilege for each identity category.
• Identify two strengths associated with the identity you hold in each category.
• First, discuss each identity separately and then briefly discuss the intersectional nature of your identity.
• Support your analysis with citations to class resources.
• Explain how your values, biases, and judgments toward diverse groups have been challenged or confirmed during this course.
o Describe what you learned through your self-reflective Video Journals.
o Identify any areas that may need continued growth.
• Provide two strategies for continuing to develop your multicultural competence and support ideas with at least 2–3 peer-reviewed scholarly articles.

Full Answer Section

    Ability
  • Privilege: I am able-bodied, which gives me certain privileges in society. For example, I am able to walk, drive, and participate in most activities without any difficulty. I am also less likely to be discriminated against because of my disability.
  • Strength: My ability gives me a certain level of independence and freedom. I am also able to do things that many people with disabilities cannot do.
Religion/Spirituality
  • Privilege: I am a member of the dominant religious group in the United States, which gives me certain privileges. For example, I am more likely to be seen as a moral and upstanding citizen. I am also more likely to have access to religious institutions and resources.
  • Strength: My religious beliefs give me a sense of community and belonging. They also provide me with a framework for understanding the world and my place in it.
Ethnic/Racial Identity
  • Privilege: I am white, which gives me certain privileges in society. For example, I am less likely to be stopped by the police or discriminated against in employment. I am also more likely to be seen as intelligent and competent.
  • Strength: My white privilege gives me a certain level of access to opportunities. I am also less likely to be stereotyped or marginalized because of my race.
Socioeconomic Status
  • Privilege: I come from a middle-class family, which gives me certain privileges in society. For example, I am more likely to have access to quality education and healthcare. I am also more likely to be able to afford a comfortable lifestyle.
  • Strength: My socioeconomic status gives me a certain level of financial security. I am also less likely to experience poverty or homelessness.
National Origin
  • Privilege: I am a native-born citizen of the United States, which gives me certain privileges. For example, I am more likely to be seen as a legitimate member of society. I am also more likely to have access to government benefits and services.
  • Strength: My national origin gives me a certain connection to my culture and heritage. I am also more likely to be able to speak English fluently.
Sex
  • Privilege: I am a man, which gives me certain privileges in society. For example, I am more likely to be seen as a leader and authority figure. I am also more likely to be paid more than a woman in the same position.
  • Strength: My gender gives me a certain level of physical strength and stamina. I am also more likely to be seen as assertive and confident.
Gender Identity and Expression
  • Privilege: I identify as cisgender, which gives me certain privileges in society. For example, I am more likely to be seen as a legitimate member of society. I am also more likely to have access to government benefits and services.
  • Strength: My gender identity gives me a certain level of comfort in my own skin. I am also more likely to be able to express myself freely.
Sexual Orientation
  • Privilege: I identify as heterosexual, which gives me certain privileges in society. For example, I am more likely to be seen as a legitimate member of society. I am also more likely to have access to government benefits and services.
  • Strength: My sexual orientation gives me a certain level of freedom to express my love and affection for others. I am also more likely to be able to form close relationships with others.
Intersectional Identity My identity is intersectional, meaning that it is shaped by all of the different identity categories that I hold. For example, my white privilege interacts with my male privilege to give me certain advantages in society. However, my socioeconomic status and my sexual orientation interact to give me some disadvantages. Values, Biases, and Judgments My values, biases, and judgments have been challenged and confirmed during this course. For example, I used to believe that people from different cultures were inherently inferior to people from my own culture. However, I have learned that

Sample Answer

  The following identity categories will be used in this paper:
  • Age
  • Ability
  • Religion/spirituality
  • Ethnic/racial identity
  • Socioeconomic status
  • National origin
  • Sex
  • Gender identity and expression
  • Sexual orientation
Identity Privilege and Strengths Age
  • Privilege: I am a young adult, which gives me certain privileges in society. For example, I am more likely to be hired for a job than an older person with the same qualifications. I am also more likely to be seen as attractive and desirable.
  • Strength: My age gives me a certain level of energy and vitality. I am also more likely to be open to new experiences and ideas.