Moments of Pride
The first thing I am most proud of this semester is how well my group's presentation went at Festival Del Sol. I am most proud of this moment because stereotyping is something I am really strongly against and being able to express that I am against it in front of an audience allowed me to realize that other people do agree with me. This moment was very important to me because I have never been the person comfortable enough to share my thoughts and opinions for fear of being judged or excluded. I am always a quiet person and don’t really volunteer for anything, but having to do this made me realize how important it is to do so. If you don’t share your thoughts and opinions, no one will ever know who you are or what you believe in.
Another thing I am most proud of this semester is being able to work with different people in the class. Cooperation is something I have never been fond of and never try to improve on. But, during this project I had to work with people I had never worked with before, and I think I successfully did that. Although there were instances when I felt that I was excluded and perceived as unreliable, I overcame it. During the project I began to get frustrated because I would ask my group for a task to do and they would never give me any because they felt I wouldn't complete them. And when I would I have task I felt myself being babysat just to make sure I completed my work. When I realized the lack of trustworthiness in my group I wanted to switch into another, but I managed to look ahead and just do everything I can so they would change their perspective about me.
Another thing I am most proud of this semester is being able to work with different people in the class. Cooperation is something I have never been fond of and never try to improve on. But, during this project I had to work with people I had never worked with before, and I think I successfully did that. Although there were instances when I felt that I was excluded and perceived as unreliable, I overcame it. During the project I began to get frustrated because I would ask my group for a task to do and they would never give me any because they felt I wouldn't complete them. And when I would I have task I felt myself being babysat just to make sure I completed my work. When I realized the lack of trustworthiness in my group I wanted to switch into another, but I managed to look ahead and just do everything I can so they would change their perspective about me.
Moments of Struggle
Like I said in my moment of pride, working in my particular group was difficult for me. It was difficult for me because I felt as if my group did not think I could handle the work they gave me. Having my group think this about me made me feel uncomfortable and made me not want to work with them, I also began to doubt myself. There were many instances when I would go work with other groups outside because I did not feel included or welcomed when I worked with them. And when I would complete my work outside my group, they would try to sneak up behind me to make sure I was actually completing it. Although this was a moment of struggle, this also falls under my moment of pride because I was able to look forward and overcome it.
How Far I've Come
During the course of the project my issue evolved into something that felt was a psychological issue in the way we see others. We had begun to share with each other what we had faced and begun to realize certain patterns. We also realized that this issue nearly impossible to solve, and if we want to solve it, we need to change the human philosophy. This project not only made me realize that I was a victim of stereotyping, but that I was also someone who stereotypes herself. And since I have realized that, I have begun to try to stop stereotyping and not judge people based on their appearances. I have also tried to take this new philosophy into my own house, which is unfortunately very stereotypical. If I could go back to the beginning of the project, I would stop being so intimidated by having to the share my opinion. I would also make sure that I would speak up more to my group so they wouldn't think that I couldn't handle the work. This project has made me empower myself because it made me realize that if I don’t stand up for myself, no one will. I've realized that I need to start standing up for both myself and what I believe in. Learning how to empower myself is my biggest take away from this project. During this project there were instances where I even questioned myself and even wondered if I could handle it. But, I managed to realize that I have to make a name for myself.
Goal For the Rest of the Year
My goal for the rest of the year is to start speaking up for myself and taking initiative. This goal is important to me because it is something that if you are good at, you can do anything you want. Standing up for myself would not only allow others to know my thoughts and opinions, but allow me to be myself. I think the only actual way I can accomplish this is by pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and I will begin to do so.