PERSONAL-CULTURAL ANALYSIS & IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT

Running Head: Personal Analysis & Identity Development

Personal-Cultural Analysis & Identity Development

Arianne (JNae) Broadnax
Wake Forest University

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Abstract
Diverse cultures present in todays society has stimulated the need for cultural
competence within the counseling profession. Diversity can be perceived through many aspects
such as gender, race/ cultural groups, age, sexual orientation, religion and experiences which are
just some of the general factors that make every individual unique. Counselors are challenged
with the task of considering and understanding each of the factors that make up individuals, in
the pursuit of providing assistance and guidance to their clients. Deeper insights acquired from
this concept of Cultural Counseling first and foremost is the importance of culture. Waldegrave,
(1988) supports this notion stating, Culture is one of the most influential determinants of
identity.
The Cultural Counseling course is designed to provide insight on learning about other
cultures, oneself and how these dynamics influence the counseling relationship. In lieu of
educating oneself about cultural diversity, a strong emphasis has been placed on counselors
development of self-awareness. MCCs tri-partite model as well as Pederson (1982) both affirm
the three main essential areas of importance as it relates to cultural sensitivity. First is awareness
of ones own personal worldview and how one is a product of cultural conditioning,
knowledge of culturally different individuals, their worldview and skills necessary for work with
culturally diverse groups. Participating in a cultural counseling course prepares individuals for
the knowledge component to learn about other cultures. The overall intent of this paper is to
conduct a personal analysis of my personal culture and worldview with an emphasis on the two
of the three key areas of multicultural competence, awareness and skills. Highlighted areas of
emphasis include, conducting a personal assessment of exposure to members of diverse groups,
analyzing experiences in relation to racism and discrimination, examining familial influences in

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relation to interactions and perceptions of other cultures/ethnic groups and lastly how this
information acquired about multicultural competence as it relates to theory and practice will
enhance my ability to be effective as a counselor. This paper creates the avenue for selfreflection as it relates to having an understanding of myself and my culture. I reflect on the wellknown quote by Ramana Maharshi stating, Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you
can render the world.

Cultural Awareness: Contact and Exposure to Diverse Groups

The Cultural Counseling course, has broadened my knowledge of culturally diverse
groups, creating opportunities to explore beyond my own racial/cultural identity therefore
surpassing comfort zones, promoting scholarship, personal growth and expansion of
relationships both on a professional and personal level. A cultural evaluation of oneself can
begin with ones awareness of other cultural groups and assessing the incidences of regularity in
interacting with diverse groups. Falicov, (1998b) states that, Cultural identity is constructed
historically and socially within groups and is influenced by the contact with differences within
those groups or differences between different groups. It also evolves as ideas and historical times
change.
As an African American female, I grew up in a traditional middle class family which
endures today. I am thankful for the blessings of having both my parents who remain married in
todays growing rates of single parent households. Recollecting on the course of my life, I
recognize the opportunities and experiences that I had that granted contact with other
cultures/diverse groups i.e. school in younger years & throughout college, marriages within the
family, vacations/travel, and acquiring various employment opportunities. I also recognize that
as I have matured, my interactions with members of diverse groups have been somewhat limited

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or more streamlined to my professional work environment at this point. Various populations or

diverse groups I have worked with over the course of years highlight those factors related to
culture, such as differing age groups (children, adults, older adults); varying genders
(male/female), race (Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, Italian, African) and last but not least those
with various disabilities (physical & mental) .
My professional role as a Recreational Therapist, in the Mental Health field working with
young children, allows for the most opportunities to interact with diverse groups. A common
ethnic group, other than my own that I have regular contact with are primarily the Caucasian
culture. Considering my profession, this is to be expected and Helms (1984), in her article,
discusses, in reference to the mental health profession of counseling the rarity of Black
counselors and counseling being primarily a White occupation. Although on a professional
level, diversity among colleagues may be limited on a regular basis, with myself as the minority,
however I have ongoing access to diverse groups. Examples are weekly interactions with
hospital residents who float through the program for observations, whom are comprised of
various backgrounds (Asian, African, Indian, Caucasian, Black, etc.). This creates the
opportunity for dialogue to learn a little about those of different cultures through these
interactions as I share information about the program and seek to share insights in working with
children with them. Common questions posed, include inquiring where individuals are from,
their professional and cultural background and future plans upon completion of their residency. It
is noticeable that the field of health and mental health is becoming more diverse visibly in my
workplace therefore creating the need for multicultural competence.

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Another area of consideration within the professional realm where I have contact with
various cultural groups is among the clients and their families through the program. I recall in
past, working with a child of the Hispanic culture or ethnicity. I encountered language barrier
challenges as a member of the team navigating how to communicate with the child and his
family information regarding treatment approaches/medication trials, all of which were impacted
by the child/familys cultural background. I was able to relate on a smaller scale to Fadimans
(1997) novel: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. I was required to work with an
interpreter for the family and noticed the cultural barriers faced in attempting to treat a child
through the medical model framework of mental health. Through these experiences I am more
aware that my profession grants me the opportunity to come in contact with all types of people
with varying cultures, identity and experiences, of which I believe will serve me well in my
future role as a counselor.
Pertaining to religious or spiritual affiliations, church bodies, I can recall growing up and
attending churches with my family that were predominantly of the African American/black race.
I also noted the common thread of segregation between races among church groups on Sunday
mornings. We commonly hear that Sunday is the most segregated day of the week, in reference
to diversity in churches today. A common observation that could be made at church dismissal
was noting the church grounds assembled with those primarily one race either black or white.
This is just one observation that formulated my early views of the lingering concept segregation,
learning that blacks and whites dont worship together. I have had the opportunity to attend
multiple churches (many denominations, those of a different race, mixed cultural groups) in
pursuit of a church home and seeking fellowship coinciding with my belief system, lifestyle and
my family, which were are all rooted in my rearing from childhood. I recall the internal pressure,

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discomfort and unsettling feelings during visitations all the while longing for acceptance and a
welcoming atmosphere. Some of these feelings were predisposed out of my own cultural issues
and perceptions toward those of a differing ethnicity. I felt the center of attention at times when
walking into a predominantly white church. Through visiting churches of different
denominations, I also have come to recognize a shift more toward diversity in churches with
support of abolishing of divisive labels/denominations and encouragement of various
groups/diverse groups worshiping together focusing on the commonalities amongst them.
Summation of these experiences are best described as Thus ones spiritual journey is often
developmental in nature and involves an active search toward overcoming ones current
centricity to becoming more connected with the meaning of life, including oneness of ultimate
Being, (Chandler, Holden & Kolander, 1992; Kelly, 1995)
Reflecting on the past and connecting to my present day interactions, there has been and
remains to this date evident exposure to diverse groups through religious affiliation, as I have
recently established membership to a local Christian church within the community. Within my
church community, creates the opportunity for fellowship with those of other backgrounds, race
as it is non-denominational. I reflect on one comment made by my pastor recently in recognizing
the amount of diversity we have within our church fellowship, stating that, Although there is
diversity within it is unity. This particular area of opportunity, I believe, will provide more
contact with members of diverse groups within the realm of culture, race, experience, and will
not only create exposure but challenge me to move beyond awareness but finding commonality
between myself and others as we fellowship together.

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On a more personal level my assessment of the amount of close relationships, i.e. family,
friends of other cultural groups, are found to be very narrow, however I am becoming more open
to this prospect. Within my familial background, I have been blessed with the exposure of
another culture through, interracial marriage between my older brother and his now ex-wife.
Although their marriage ended, their years together created regular contact with a culture
different from our own (Hispanic) and being able to accept the differences between our culture
and theirs embracing the concept of unity within the family through celebrating special events,
holidays. Through their union, I have two nieces and a nephew that are bi-racial and we have
noted the challenges they had growing up with their own identity. There were things that I had to
learn, develop an understanding and acceptance for at an early age pertaining to the Hispanic
culture. These experiences with my family, I am now better able to reflect on with a different
perspective of appreciation and wisdom since being engaged in this Cultural Counseling course.
Cultural Awareness 2: Understanding the Existence of Sexism, Racism, &
Discrimination
My first concepts of racism, discrimination, sexism, were solely rooted personal
experiences of my parents and grandparents, which served as beginning framework of my
worldview. My home life is the beginning of identification with sexual roles between my
parents, activities around the home that pertained to roles of a father (outside work), and mother
(housework). Pertaining to sexism these gender roles were learned from their own families and
was an extended to us as children i.e. various roles assumed by males and roles assumed by
females. I rarely noted my father washing dishes or doing laundry and I rarely if ever saw my
mother cutting the lawn or fixing the car. I dont believe my family promoted these roles in a

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discriminatory manner but rather inadvertently assumed these roles because of what they saw in
their own households growing up.
Pertaining to the subject of racism/discrimination and evidence of its existence originated
first in my family through, a common approach among the African American culture, is that of
sharing memories and stories. My parents often would talk about their experiences living in a
segregated world of black and white. They grew up in a different time frame and faced many
challenges as a result of being black, which impacted their view of the world. I realize their
motives were attempts to protect me and increase my awareness of diverse groups. They taught
me as well as my siblings to be accepting of others who are different from us (racially,
physically, mentally, culturally etc.) however we were also to understand that the world may
not treat us as such with these same qualities (acceptance, kindness, respect).
Originations of the differences within my own culture/race began in my home. I began
noticing the variations in skin complexions of African Americans noting that my father, who was
of a darker complexion and my mother who was of a lighter complexion. Humorously, I
reminisce on the time when I questioned my mother as to whether she was white, noting her
lighter complexion than my own. I can now assess how my awareness of these difference
within my own race as a child impacted my worldview. I also faced challenges within my own
race as a female, and the disparities between the African Americans and their level of
blackness. Examples of this is noted in common comparisons between varying skin tones and
myself being a lighter complexion, with a straighter grade or commonly called good hair
texture. To some degree I was ostracized by members of my own race and gender within the
African American community. I remember viewing myself on a continuum line between black

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and white although I was not bi-racial by any means and how this caused issues posing questions
as to my ability to be accepted by my peers black or white.
Awareness of the difference between black and white, became more apparent as I
attended school, filled with predominantly white students and having a select few blacks in the
classroom, therefore compelling me to integrate with a culture/race different from my own and
compare what I was taught about the white race through my own experiences and interactions
with them. As I grew older, I became more aware of racism/discrimination attending elementary
then high-school, where I noticed the limited pupils attending the school who were African
American/Black. I believe at this time, I had many questions in attempting to understand the
differences between blacks and whites and tendencies amongst the two cultural groups to
segregate in casual social interactions (i.e. Blacks conjugating with other blacks and whites
conjugating with other whites). I recall remarks being made in reference to our race that were
meant to insult, inflict psychological ridicule/harm and rather provocative at times and rumors of
racial altercations/riots occurring within the school.
My perceptions were that the white culture, being a dominant race, consumed with the
essence of superiority triggered my feelings inferiority. I faced discrimination as I began to
engage in the realm of athletics within the school setting involving issues of privilege toward
white teammates. Tobin Shearers (2002) examination of White Spaces, describes this as
places where racism situates itself in whites because of a pattern of internalized superiority. I
recognized how they were endorsed and advanced, supported each other as teammates and given
opportunities for exposure as an athlete. Some of these discriminations were observed in relation
to the amount of playing time, number of blacks on the team often referred to as the token

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blacks (carrying the appearance of privilege because I was good enough to make the team, but
not good enough to be supported by exposure on the collegiate level and advancement for my
sport of choice therefore being excluded). Through these experiences I can recall feelings of
anger, frustration, helplessness and learning the fact that racism/discrimination did exist and
wondering how I would navigate in a society of a predominantly white world, with the
undercurrent of oppression. Sellers and Shelton (2003) described experiences of racial micro
aggressions stating, these types of racism are difficulty identify, quantify and rectify due to
because of their subtle, nebulous unnamed nature. My response to this type of discrimination
resulted in my resignation of playing basketball my junior year in high school. I also can reflect
on how these experiences steered my decision following high-school graduation to attend a
HBCU to pursue my bachelors degree. These experiences to some degree affect my present day
choices to advance my education by attending graduate school at such a prestigious university as
Wake Forest. I am more aware of the influences my culture has on my life but I do not allow this
to hinder me from pursing my calling.
Crosss model - Black stages of racial consciousness allows one to consider where they
fit in terms of the four stages. I am able to relate more to this model noting that previous
descriptions of my personal experiences are paralleled with Crosss stages discussed in Helms
(1984) article. Pre-encounter and encounter stages were evident in my early childhood
encounters. Immersion/Emersion is evident through my college years of attending a HBCU,
correlating with Helms description to Crosss racial stage of immersion for blacks, feelings of
anger and hostility toward anything they associate with being White, feeling compelled to
dwell on his//her Blackness, and avoidance of Whites in efforts to prove that they have not sold
out to the White world, Helms, (1984). I would consider myself in the Internalizing stage of

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development in regards to racial identity as I concentrate more of my energies now toward selfacceptance, with desires learn about, engage and sustain relationships with those of other
groups/cultures and feelings of competence to address with confidence racial issues as they arise.
Regarding my familys teachings in relation to individuals of differing races,
ethnicities, cultures, physical abilities and sexual orientations, my family was big on acceptance
on those different from us probable in response to their own experiences of being discriminated
against and possessing an identification with those who may be of the minority experiencing
similar experiences. My parents always taught us to respect others regardless of differences,
(religion, disability, ethnicities). An example that always comes to mind was how we were
always told to refrain from staring at those who may have physical or mental disabilities when as
a family we were in public places. I believe this is what steered my compassion towards these
individuals (having the knowledge of my fraternal twin who was stillborn/open spine would have
been disabled had she survived). I can reflect on being taught to respect my elders and have
strong bonds or ties to elders in my own family therefore my interactions with those of the
elderly population exemplify compassion, and a reverence for who they are as people and their
wisdom.
On a more adverse perspective, although my parents attempted to prepare me for the
world that we live in, they often commented on how I would be perceived by whites which
possibly shaped my interactions, friendships growing up and learning that although well intended
to a fault these perceptions should not be generalized to all whites. These recollections are the
elements of what made me who I am today. One thing I am surprised about is although I have
acquaintances with those of other cultures/ethnicities and differences and work with a vast group

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of individuals, I lack solid relationships on a personal level with those of different ethnicities
which is a question to ponder and one that propels me to dig deeper into understanding why this
is and how to move beyond and be more open to relationships.
Skills: Relationships between Cultural Identity and becoming an Effective Counselor
Considering the question on relationships between my racial/cultural identity
development and my ability to be an effective counselor, I believe that as an African American
female, I am in the minority amongst other members of the profession. I hope to bring a
perspective of understanding and empathy to the African American population served from a
cultural perspective. I believe that I will be able to connect with clients of the minority,
particularly the African American community and level the playing field through my presence.
Gladding, (2007) comments on the barriers to African Americans ability to seek and embrace
counseling services stating, one of the factors that influences African American participation in
counseling is the perception that the relationship takes place among unequals. I also think my
spiritual background and experiences will also appeal to the African American clientele, due to
the influence that spirituality and the role of the minister plays in the African American culture.
I also perceive that being of a different ethnicity/culture, will hopefully assist me in
bridging the elements of theory and practice, especially embracing the MCC Model into play,
full scale as a result of my own experiences. I will be able to perceive theories and concepts with
a keenly perspective as result of being a minority, therefore allowing me to employ empathy and
establish rapport with all clients I serve regardless of culture.

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I recognize in the realm of Mental Health, I will be working with diverse groups from my
own culture and hope that I will be able to draw upon my experiences with diverse groups (aged,
various genders, and disability groups). I recognize how I can utilize knowledge gained through
my participation in the Cultural counseling course, to address issues present day that arise within
my work team/colleagues as it relates to awareness and understanding various cultural dynamics
within the population we serve and how it affects the progression of counseling/treatment.
Sometimes it is even important to learn how to reframe, for ourselves as professionals and
learn to be open to a new perspective although it may be different in approach or method from
our own. This is highly important within the field of Mental Health and the varying perceptions
of mental health as it intersects with culture. Mental Health is ever changing and multi-faceted
and those looking for help need someone they can connect to and with on this journey that we all
have called life. I hope to be one of those vessels used to guide others by way of counseling!

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References
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American doctors, and the collision of two cultures. New York: Farrar, Straus and
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Falicov, C. J. (1998b). Latino families in therapy: A guide to multicultural practice. New York:
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Gladding, S. T. (2007). Counseling: A comprehensive profession. (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River,
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