Alex Li, Period 1, 12/23/21

 Alex Li

 

Period 1

December 22, 2021

Modern Mythology 2022

 

 Socio-political Consciousness

What are your thoughts and feelings about issues of inequity, oppression, and/or power?

I think that inequity, oppression, and power are currently very important topics. These issues will never disappear. I believe that all of these problems just come with being human. There’s always someone who is going to be in power, there will always be people oppressing others and life will never be fair or just. This may seem extremely pessimistic but it is a fact. From the very start of one’s life, one is subject to inequity. From the color of their skin to the number of pounds they weigh, there is already a huge disparity in equity. Due to these disparities, people live very different lives. Those lives lead them to very different places. Some will inherently rise to the top, while others will naturally fall. Although these events are out of our control, there is something within our control: the will to work and persevere. I believe that as long as one never gives up and perseveres anything could happen. This is not to say that hard work can create miracles, but hard work and perseverance can create opportunities to become more powerful or lessen oppression. An example of this that I’m currently experiencing in my current life is applying to college. Statistically and inherently, it is harder for someone of my demographic to get into the same institution as someone of a different demographic. There is nothing I can do about it; it is just inequity and oppression at work. What I can do though, is give myself the best possible chance. This could mean keeping a high GPA, acing tests, or writing an enchanting essay. Although inequity, oppression, and power are prevalent, there are things we can do and I hold the ability to work hard and persevere as something priceless. 

 

How do you reflect critically on your own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences, and how these can influence your perception of self and others?

Without a doubt, I have my own personal beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences, but I’ve always been conscious of others. There is no way in the world for me to know what someone else is thinking or has gone through so I’ve always been rather conservative in that regard. I don’t like pushing my ideas onto others and vice versa. My beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences are what make me who I am. I will admit that I am most definitely biased in my beliefs because of my experiences. Evaluating my own beliefs, assumptions, values, and experiences helps me grow as a person. I’ve come to notice that oftentimes I think before I’m going to say something. When I’m about to criticize someone, two big questions usually pop up in my head: will it help the person and how would it make me feel if I was in that person’s shoes. Although this process happens in mere seconds, I feel like I am becoming a better person. Sometimes things that are already obvious don’t need to be said out loud. I’ve found that my relationships with my friends have gotten stronger and I’ve become more mentally healthy. Every person is different, but sharing and embracing those differences have really changed my life for the better.