Reflection 1 : In the context of social identity, what messages did I receive growing up about what it meant to be a member of my gender, racial/ethnic, and religious group, and socioeconomic class, etc?

 


Growing up in a neighbourhood marked by gangs and being classified as part of the working-class, I encountered a specific set of unspoken—sometimes spoken—rules about how young males were expected to behave. Walking away from a fight was not an option, and losing without putting up a fight was seen as unacceptable. If someone said something you didn’t like, you were expected to respond with even harsher words or actions, as that was the social norm.

Your nickname often reflected your physical appearance or demeanour, leading us to believe that it defined our identity. The groups we associated with shaped how we saw ourselves. While many of my friends remained entrenched in this lifestyle. With parents working long hours, we often had to fend for ourselves.

We attended religious classes daily, hoping to become better individuals and make wiser choices. Yet, even our religious leaders seemed troubled, grappling with the social injustices they faced


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