I am Janeth a freshman at Fremont High, currently living in Oakland Cal. I both grew up and live in Oakland, a neighborhood with violence. Regardless of my surroundings I set an example to my younger siblings so I describe myself as helpful. I am a timid girl, who likes pizza and have goals for the future  I describe myself as tall, active, and fan of Real Madrid.  Apart from my birth here in the U.S, I identify myself as Mexican, because of my parents.

 

To begin with a Dominant Narrative is a story told by someone who has power. One of the Dominant Narratives I chose was about Consuela, the housekeeper from Family Guy, cleaning. This shows a Dominant Narrative about me because this shows that Latino women are only good for cleaning and should pick up for others. This isn’t true because I’ve seen this and Latino women are hardworking consequently they’re making us think that Latino women are weak and useless.

 

    Next, a Counter Narrative is story told by someone who has been marginalized. One Counter Narrative I chose for my shadowbox was a quote saying,” I am a proud Mexican”. This shows I was raised by Mexican parents and I’m proud of my heritage. I know that many are ashamed about their roots but not everyone. I am a happy American with Mexican parts and no one can take that pride away from me. 

 

     Furthermore, identity is one’s individuality so identity images are images that describe your individuality. One identity picture I used on my shadowbox was based on traveling. This picture included a toy plane on top of the World Map faced towards the continent of Asia. I love traveling because it shifts my perspective and I learn other’s cultures. Also one of my traveling goals is traveling to the continent of Asia and the plane is faced towards Asia, consequently this image further explains my goal.  I chose this image because it outlines my hobbie therefore it identifies me.  

 

      In conclusion, people see me as a immigrant. If people really knew me they would know that I am an American girl with Mexican parts. Telling the story of who I really am is important because they’ll now me better, they’ll know us better, they’ll know our story. This already became a stereotype because other races misjudge us consequently we shouldn’t fall in their chains of hate. What I learned in this unit is that the way we identity ourselves is different than others because we all have different perspectives. That no matter what race we are there would always be Dominant Narratives and we should fight back with Counter Narratives. So no matter how others view us it’s necessary to identity ourselves regardless of others.