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Week 4: The Identity Paradigm within Intercultural Communication

Identity Reflection

Renata Alexander

November 12, 2017

COM 40164 Intercultural/International Communication

Ottawa University
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Identity Reflection

People can choose to hide, express, or even ignore their identities (Dunn & Burcaw,

2013; Martin & Nakayama, 2018). Nevertheless, no matter how one chooses to face their

identities, they do exist. For, we all belong to various groups regarding identity, including those

related to gender, age, race or ethnicity, physical ability, religion, class, and nationality (Martin

& Nakayama, 2018, p. 95). I will reflect on two identitiesmy Christian religion and my

physical disability, cerebral palsy.

My identity found in Jesus Christ is the most important identity in my life. I firmly

believe God is in full control of the entire universe. I learned that having this identity was

different than another when I realized this world, specifically Western culture, is filled with

highly individualistic people who often ascribe divine (godlike) characteristics to themselves

(Brownell, 2013; Zondag & Van Uden, 2014, p. 3). Honestly, when I learned this, I was

saddened to know there are many people who do not know Jesus.

I believe the greatest advantage I have in this identity is, because I have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ, I am confident God will call me home. My identity in Jesus Christ

makes all the pain, sadness, heartache, and evil of this world much easier to bear. A disadvantage

of having this identity is it can be extremely difficult to watch the ways of the world unfold. It

quite literally breaks my heart to see the world blatantly reject God. As David Sherwood (2017)

states, This leads me to the awkward position of defending the right of people to make policies

and take actions that I think are wrong (p. 6).

My identity in Jesus Christ influences me in school and work equally. Therefore, it

influences both by guiding my ethical, moral, and personal values. It also influences my school

and work by giving me the confidence to share my faith and talk about God. That means, if it is
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applicable to the topic or response, I will mention my faith. Most importantly, it is what guides

my personal decision to intentionally strive to not do school or work on Sundays.

As mentioned earlier, my identity in Jesus Christ influences the way I communicate with

people of other identities by giving me the confidence to share my faith. However, I have learned

to adapt my comments, depending on the interaction (Brownell, 2013). My own faith in God

allows me to comfort and pray for others who share my identity. For example, my Christian

mentor recently experienced the loss of her father. In the months leading up to his death, I

frequently texted her and asked her how I could pray for her.

Now, I will reflect on my identity as a physically disabled individual with cerebral palsy.

I learned that having this identity was different than another when people began to give me weird

looks and pity me. Honestly, when I learned this, I felt terrible and I was ashamed. I think a huge

advantage of having this identity is I am extremely strong-willed. Another advantage is that it

humbles me because it reminds that humans are not invincible. A disadvantage of this identity is

some people will always believe disabled people are broken and helpless, as often depicted in the

annual muscular dystrophy telethon with Jerry Lewis (Lester, 2013; Martin & Nakayama, 2018).

My identity with cerebral palsy influences me in school by helping me determine which

university to attend. For example, one of the reasons why I did not even consider attending the

University of Kansas, despite their renowned communication program, was I absolutely did not

want to walk on the hilly campus. My cerebral palsy influences my work similarly by causing

me to gravitate towards office jobs, for I would not do well in a career that requires standing for

extended periods of time.

I believe my cerebral palsy influences the way I communicate with people from own

identity by empathizing with them. I know what it is like to accept that having a disability means
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a lifelong journey of coping in various circumstances (Dunn & Burcaw, 2013). Therefore, I

strive to get to know them for their likes, dislikes, personality, etc., not for their inability. When

it comes to communicating with people of other identities, it influences me to be an educator,

"determined to redefine peoples perceptions concerning disabilities and resisting stereotypes

(p. Martin & Nakayama, 2018, p. 98). Most importantly, it allows me to not be fearful of stating

when and how I accept assistance (Martin & Nakayama, 2018).

Generally speaking, identifying as a Christian means you will be persecuted in one way

or another almost on a daily basis. My Christian identity influences me in other situations, such

as how I choose to use social media, what music I listen to, which books I read, etc. Honestly, it

impacts everything I say and do. I think others who are not part of the identity will typically

assume that Christians are foolish, Bible-beating hypocrites.

Generally speaking, identifying as a physically disabled individual is the epitome of one

day of being confident in ones identity, yet the next being confused and angry (Martin &

Nakayama, 2018). It entails situations where one constantly wonders what obstacle he or she

may have to endure just to enter a building (Dunn & Burcaw, 2013). I think others who are not

physically disabled feel like we always need help or that we are not normal because of it. I

think a lot of times others believe because we are disabled, we deserve to be treated in a

different, often degrading manner.

In conclusion, identities play a pivotal role in ones life, regardless if he or she hides,

embraces, or ignores them (Martin & Nakayama, 2018; Dunn & Burcaw, 2013). Therefore, we

ought to take time to understand how they influence us in all their various forms and ways. For

me, that is most evident in my identities in Jesus Christ and cerebral palsy.
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References

Dunn, D. S., & Burcaw, S. (2013). Disability identity: Exploring narrative accounts of

disability. Rehabilitation Psychology, 58(2), 148-157. doi:10.1037/a0031691

Lester, P. (2013). Visual Communications: Images with messages. Boston: Wadsworth

Cengage Learning.

Martin, J., & Nakayama, T. (2018). Experiencing intercultural communication: an

introduction. (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Rothwell, J. (2013). In mixed company: Communicating in small groups and teams. (8th ed.)

Boston: Cengage Learning.

Sherwood, D. A. (2017). Dealing competently, ethically, and faithfully with hard issues: the

difficult but necessary road. Social Work & Christianity, 44(1/2), 3-10.

Zondag, H. J., & Van Uden, M. H. (2014). 'My special prayer' on self, god, and

prayer. European Journal of Mental Health, 9(1), 3-19. doi:10.5708/EJMH.9.2014.1.1