Blog #1

Identity 

     The central theme in this week's readings was that of identity. How do we define ourselves and what part does our society play in how we do so? More importantly, what are the implications of the identity that we choose? In "Identities and Social Locations: Who am I? Who Are My People?", identity is described as both "tangible" and "fluid" at times. Surely enough, my identity has changed from year to year as a result of things happening around me. However, certain aspects have withstood the test of time and it's those things that I tend to openly share with my students during the first few days of school. 
   On a macro-level, I would identify as an able-bodied, heterosexual, Christian, Hispanic, middle-aged female. Its quite a mouthful. In constructing that statement, I quickly realize that those things that I cannot control about myself (if I tried) tend to take the backseat to those labels that our society has become increasingly obsessed with. On a micro-level, I focus in on the things that I am obsessed with. For example, I am a mother. In fact, I have been a mother for 23 years, 6 months, 3 days and approximately 12hrs. It is my badge of honor, and not necessarily because raising them has felt like running a 400m race whilst carrying a shiny silver tray laden with the finest china and clearing every hurdle without dropping a single item. As was perfectly illustrated at the end of chapter 1 in "Yo, Miss" all teacher-moms can do this in their sleep...or whatever passes for sleep these days. The reason I identify as a mother first and foremost is because they've given me a reason to fight every stereotype, inequality and injustice. They've prompted me to constantly search for my "Social Location" to ensure that I am securing their future and that of other generations to follow. 
   I also have to divulge that I am Hispanic whenever I stand before a classroom of giddy high-school students. When they look at me they can't quite seem to place me. Unfortunately, I am feeling more and more like it has more to do with the structural inequalities experienced by minorities, than by my "exotic" look. There's no way a Hispanic female is teaching science in a high school classroom. The stench of inequality is so thick that if I mention that I am a teacher in a social setting, everyone (yes I mean 100% of the time) assumes I teach Spanish. 
   Hopefully, as we continue to educate our students and open their eyes to the artificial limitations that are being pressed upon them we start to empower them with the knowledge that they too have a voice. In time we will start to see a new generation of people that can identify themselves simply as brilliant human beings in a limitless society.

Comments

  1. Victoria RestlerJanuary 23, 2018 at 11:17 AM

    Thanks for this reflective post Brigette. I appreciate (and relate to) your commentary on motherhood and it makes me think about these parts of our identities that aren't visible to outsiders (at least when they see us without our kids) but that are so deeply held and that shape so many of our actions, thoughts, feelings and ideas.

    So much to draw out and explore on your stories about "divulging" your Hispanic identity to students. How do you manage the classroom dynamic? Why is it important to you to locate yourself as a Latina and how do students react?

    Thinking about other peoples' comments that you must be a Spanish teacher/ couldn't be a science teacher, I am thinking through the layers of prejudice that shape these assumptions. The notion that a Latina would only be qualified to teach Spanish, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) hierarchies of different subject matter and grade levels in school settings (HS above early childhood; Science above language), and the gendered notion that science is a man's subject. A lot to untangle there! How do you manage these interactions? Have you developed witty/ snarky retorts? Do you let it roll off?

    Look forward to talking more!

    Best
    Victoria

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