A little about me
The formation of my identity began in a small island called Jamaica. Hence, geography certainly played a role in the structure of my identity. I grew up in a parish called Clarendon, where I lived with my mother, father, and three siblings of which I am the youngest. Jamaica is a beautiful island; I am pretty sure you have seen a few vacation commercials. Unfortunately, about 75% of the countrys wealth is controlled by 25% of the population, leaving the other 75% of the population to sponge on the remainder 25% of the wealth. This makes it extremely hard for the majority of the population to prosper. My family and I were a part of that lower 75%. To compensate for this financial disparity, the lower class (my family), work 2-3 times harder to keep their head above water. This way of living certainly shaped my earnest work ethic. Even though it was rough at times due to financial issues, my childhood was rich with love and laughter, those hard times made me the man I am today. Being a part of the lower class taught me how to work harder, as well as to be extremely determined and disciplined in the pursuit of a better life.
My mother and father were not able to finish high school because they had to get a job in order to survive, so they didnt even think about going to college. Nevertheless, they were extremely strict about the importance of education. Through hard work, they made sure that my siblings and I graduated high school. I immigrated to the United States shortly after graduating high school. Since my parents instilled the importance of education in me, once I arrive, I decided college was the next step. However, when I arrive in the United States, I quickly learned that unlike classism in Jamaica, race would now be a factor in the United States. The fear of being misjudged in a foreign land base on my race, taught me how to constantly adapt to my environment, changing my vocabulary, my posture, and even my dress code whenever the need arises. With this said I can certainly say that race played a part in my identity.
Knowing the importance of furthering my education, I decided to start college. It seemed as if, everything was going as planned, I was working full time, and going to college full time but after two years, life took its toll. As I was faced with some financial problems, and I also lost a relative to gun violence in Jamaica. The financial pressure, combined with losing a relative was overwhelming, and it started to affect my grades in school. I simply couldnt focus, which ultimately led to me dropping out of college in 2015, and just like that, my dream of a better future was unconscious. However, my ambition to further my education was far greater than my struggles, and in 2018 I resuscitated my dream. It was at this point in my life when the characteristics that define my identity became evident. Through determination, I started Community College, and through hard work, and the grace of God I was accepted into the nursing program
My past made me extremely ambitious for a more financially stable life, not only for myself but for my family. At my current age, I can certainly say that geography, class, race, and education shaped my identity. To sum it all up, I am very hardworking, ambitious, determine, adaptable, and I look forward to obtaining my Bachelor of Science in nursing soon. My identity is still in the making, am currently working on my masterpiece.
Western civilization traces its roots back to Europe and the Mediterranean. It is linked to ancient Greece, the Roman Empire and with Medieval Western Christendom which emerged from the Middle Ages to experience such transformative episodes as the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, scientific revolution, and the development of liberal democracy(Choose an era/culture from this time frame)
One caveat that was introduced in the beginning of the course was whether we would ever be able to have an understanding of people who live different lives. This is always a question, and is the source of many of the issues with diversity. How can I know who you are, as you know yourself?
In the context of this course, it is the question to answer in this, your final paper.
Give two identities in two different eras that you identified with. Provide some background on their lives.
Describe at least three ways in which you believe you have an understanding of their lives. Perhaps these related to shared gender, shared level of opportunity, or other connections.
Provide at least three ways in which you suspect that you are not able to understand their lives. You may have to use your imagination, but defend your answers empirically (with facts).
Provide some conclusions about Western Civilization and Human Development that you have gleaned from this course. What is a useful course to you? In what way? What did you learn that will make a difference in your future?
Please include a reference page
