An autobiography is an account of the life experiences of an individual written by herself or himself. It details personal life experiences an individual encounter. Some of these may be wonderful experiences, others may be challenging, and yet others may just be normal everyday experiences. An autobiography is one of the best ways to understand the complexities of
identities and how they connect to issues of privilege and oppression in our diverse communities.
In chapter 15, (Who Am I?), Ferguson (2016) argues that while individuals construct their personal identities, the society also constructs who they are. As we read in the IDS 3013 course, the history of institutionalized policies and laws did not serve all human identities the same. Individuals with certain identities were either privileged or discriminated by unjust policies and society’s dominant norms and values.
For this assignment your autobiography must focus on your multiple identities as they relate to issues of privilege, prejudice and discrimination as discussed in the IDS 3013 readings. These are your sociocultural identities that influence your life experiences. You are writing a rigorous self-portrait that reflects your interaction with social institutions, e.g., family structures, communities, schools, and other social institutions. In other words, your autobiography must describe how you as an individual relate to issues race, socio-economic status, gender, sexuality, family structures, religion, and so forth. The autobiography will help you develop an on-going conversation about your multiple identities as you prepare to interact with schools and communities.
This is how you should structure your autobiography:
1) General introduction about you and your family; your cultural background; who you are, and your multiple identities.
2) Discussion of your school and/or community experiences in relation to your multiple identities. What were your experiences at school and/or community growing up? How were your identities constructed in school/or community that may have been different or similar to how your family constructed your identities?
3) Description of your identities that afford you privilege positions, or subject you to prejudice and oppression by others, or help you realize the social struggles for equity and diversity. You must support your reflection with IDS 3013 course readings (Ferguson, 2016; McIntosh, 1988; Bell, 2010; Bruns, 2005; King, 1963; Bell, 2010, including other related readings posted on Blackboard) to show your understanding of privileges or prejudices that are inherently (re)produced by the social construction of race, socio-economic status, gender, sexuality, and other forms of power relations. Where relevant, include examples to support your autobiography. You could also use examples from field experience, community service, etc.
The length of this autobiography must be 10 typed pages, including the reference page, abstract page, and the title page (double-spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, 1” margins). It must follow APA 6th Edition. Due date: See your syllabus. Late submissions may be penalized.