Self Assessment

The Experience of Difference

1. Think about your memories of being "different" from others (as a small child, in grade school, as an adolescent, as a young adult). What memories stand out for you? What feelings do you remember? Being different due to being Hispanic and middle class

2. Think about your memories of feeling the same as others of fitting in (as a small child, in grade school, as an adolescent, as a young adult). What memories stand out for you? What feelings do you remember?

3. What characteristics or life circumstances have defined "difference" in your life? What characteristics of life circumstances have defined you as "sameness" with others? Reflect upon the meaning of these characteristics or life circumstances.

4. Have there been times when you wanted to be different from others? In what ways have you wanted to be different from groups that you are a member of? Why? In what ways have you wanted to be different from groups other than your own? Why?

5. Have there be times when you wanted to be more similar to others? In what ways have you wanted to be more similar to groups that you are a member of? Why? In what ways have you wanted to be more similar to groups other than your own? Why?

6. Discuss your experiences with and thoughts/feelings about people from a variety of groups different from your own. In general, how do you think you are perceived by people from these groups? How comfortable have you been in these interactions?

a. Various racial/ethnic groups

b. Men/women

c. Lesbians/gay men/bisexual people

d. Poor/working class/middle class/wealthy