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Consciousness and Identity

All people possess multiple identities that are shaped by and embedded in our “social, cultural, and historical contexts.” In most cases, we define ourselves using institutions, other people, or activities. Most people think that I am quiet. This is, however, somewhat true because sometimes I look like a shy and reserved to individuals who know little about me. The individuals who have seen only my introverted side may not accept it as real that I am an outgoing person. Personality and character are the two most important features that make who I am.

In my character, I have some weaknesses, just like any other person. However, I am a naturally upbeat person. I try as much as I can to be happy most of the time. My joys, heartbreaks, faith, career, and academics define who I am. I consider every moment that passes to be a new life experience, something that gives me the strength of growing into the person I want to be. I take new steps in my life every single day, looking forward to a world of knowledge. This makes me be a learner all through life as opposed to being only a classroom student.

I believe that every person is supposed to live their life as long as they are not hurting any person by making what makes them contented. I am loyal to all individuals in my central circle. This is one of my prime qualities. I always show the highest care and love to the people who matter to me. I always go the extra mile to make sure that I keep them cheerful. I am very slow to fury, which makes me be able to tolerate anything that is thrown at me.

I have heard and read about many persons who changed after events that altered their life completely. Experiences are capable of changing things, and in many cases, they do. As an experiment that the American writer Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil went through in her article “After 50 years of ‘Asian American’ Advocates say the term is ‘more essential than ever”. she described the developments experienced by the American Asians during the past fifty years. For myself, I know I am not the same as I was when I was a teenager. I have continued changing, learning, and developing as a person. I am always keen to learn from my past experiences and relate them to my life to make me a better life.

Through my experience in life, I suffer from racial discrimination from international societies. As a person, I belong to the Arab community and not to the Arab race as many consider it; this does not mean that I am a terrorist or a backward one. As the views of the world consider us a race and not a group of races that are bound by one language, and also they link this group of people with the brutal actions they undertake by a backward group of people that belong to us only informs and language.

Arab is not a race, but rather, it is a grouping of persons who are integrated by our traditions and history. Arabs primarily speak Arabic with varying dialects and meanings in different countries. Despite these variations, most of the Arabs can understand each other very well. All Muslims are required to read Koran written in Arabic, although not all who can speak it fluently. Others are not able to speak even a little of it. They are, however, supposed to read the Koran in Arabic.

Arab culture has had many influences, but Islam has shaped the culture of the people like no other. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country, and the Saudi Arabian government has established rules based on aspects of the Muslim teachings. Being a Muslim, religion is a central part of my identity. I do believe in rituals such as Ramadan since they assist me in becoming an enhanced Muslim. I have learned a lot in religion, like praying. Just like we eat food several times a day, for our bodies’ nourishment, I have learned that prayers feed the soul when several times a day.

This has become a very important way of me meditating. I am capable of tuning myself out from the things around me that may have a bad influence. I am also able to remind myself of the person that I am. This reduces the chances of changes doing regrettable things. I feel connected with my Muslim religion. I accept it as accurate that most events in life are controlled and arranged by God. Man is, therefore, reliant on the outcome as determined by God. This is what makes religion to be very important? But on the other hand, I believe that a person must work hard to achieve goals, and this is what I am trying to do.

Suong in his article says that “When I wanted to join Asian-American groups, I always felt like I was bothered by my skin color, my class or my refugee experience,” However, it is important to believe that Culture is unique in many aspects and it is normally irregular seeing the same culture as the other (Freire, Paulo). Every culture is different and important due to its unique difference. In Saudi Arabia, a family is the most important societal foundation, more pointedly families of formed alignments with other families sharing a common interest, ideals, and alliances are the keystone to survival. The family structure is a tight knight and is the major determinant of the personal status followed by the character of an individual and then achievement.

The honor and dignity of a person come from the families that we come from. These family circles that are formed are better understood as tribal lineages which are traced through paternal lines. As Saudis, we are very cognizant of our heritage, our tribes and the extent of our families and extended families. This has largely contributed to my personality of being accommodative and very social to people. Saudis are generally friendly and sociable people. We suppose that generosity, sociability, and openhandedness to visitors are an expression of sacred responsibilities (Drakeford pg, 11, 2016). Although very affectionate, our culture is somewhat reserved in terms of expressing emotions in public.

Education always requires good governance something that has been lacking in most Arab countries. “Education is what remains when we have forgotten all that we have been taught”. In Saudi Arabia, it has today become a culture giving an opportunity of education to the citizens unlike in the earlier days when it was only limited to the rich class. Education has an important role to play in transforming the lives of the people. It is however sad that our system of education is still behind all the developed countries because the system is still weak.

One of the weaknesses is not involving all women in the education system. Women are important in the education system because they will educate their children and benefit society. For instance, the education system restrains women from any physical activities. Physical activity is a crucial part of the human body. I have however benefitted from a better education system and can walk with my head tall for the education I have received.

People always see it as a very easy thing to change (Hune, et al p8 2020). This is however not easy at all. You get new teachers, friends appear and disappear, you get new scars, but at the end of it all, you remain just you. One of the greatest problems that I have had is to accept who I am, the things that I had done and what I was possible of becoming.

I had not comprehended that the things we abhor regarding ourselves are not more real than the things we like about ourselves. As I proceeded to grade six, I began to look at myself in the mirror and I would say to myself self” today you look great, you are smarter than you think”. I would say things like I know this, I can do this, I can figure out this”. Since then, I was able to help myself get through thick and thin. I am no longer in the dark. I know that I have a long way to go but I am far from where I used to be. I am not any time soon going to give up hope in my darkest hours. I have changed a lot and I believe that other obstacles on my way will be a source of motivation to work harder.

Work cited

Drakeford, Derrick. "Black male presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A life narrative study." (2016).

Freire, Paulo. Pedagogy of the oppressed. Bloomsbury publishing USA, 2018.

Hune, Shirley, and Gail M. Nomura, eds. Our Voices, Our Histories: Asian American and Pacific Islander Women. NYU Press, 2020.