A Life Shaped by Change

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” (Wilde, 2003), this is a quote by Oscar Wilde that indicates the importance of identity. My identity was shaped by my upbringing. I moved from the small town of Coos Bay at an early age and adapted to the large city of Seattle. This no doubt shaped my identity. Homeschooling, going to several different co-ops, COVID-19 and online interactions are all things that have shaped me into who I am today. Having those social outlets in such a lonely and isolating time was helpful for me. I would be a different person today if I didn’t have those friendships and interactions to get me through that time. My experience as a young white male has also influenced how others perceive me and how I am treated. I have also learned that this privilege can be leveraged to help those who were born into different circumstances. While my identity is influenced by my experiences in my life leading up to now, how I am perceived in society depends largely on other factors such as my race, language, religion, gender, and sexual orientation.

“The infantile and adolescent phases play a crucial role in the formation and consolidation of identity” (Mann, 2016, p. 212) This is very true in my life. My name is Cameron Dickinson, and I was born in Coos Bay, a small town on the southern coast of Oregon. Its main attractions are its expansive ocean beaches and sand dunes that tourists drive dune buggies all over. Much like Seattle it is rainy and overcast with frequent winds. My family moved to Seattle when I was three. In these early days money was tight, but my mom made it work by couponing and splitting meals at fast food places and Costco. When I was little, she would take me with her everywhere, whether it was the grocery store, Third Place Books, or the park. I was always ready for another adventure. I have been homeschooled my entire childhood. While most of my subjects were taught at home, I also attended a variety of co-ops where I could take classes from other teachers. It is here where I made friends and socialized with people outside my family. Some of my fondest memories were made in these co-ops like making clay abominations in Mr. Chris’s art class or learning how to play the guitar for the first time in Ms. Elaina’s guitar class.  In addition to my classes I also attended my church’s youth group for most of my life. Going to summer camp for the first time in the eighth grade was an eye-opening experience for me. It was the first time I had been away from my family, and I made some good friends and memories. My high school experience was dominated by COVID-19 and switching co-ops. The lockdown started halfway through my freshman year switching everything to online classes. It was hard being so isolated in these early periods especially. I feel like I got through the 2020-21 school year primarily through virtual youth group and group video games. This really brought some life to an otherwise hard and lonely time. My childhood was a very influential part in who I am today.

What is my racial identity? “How one’s racial identity is experienced will be mediated by other dimensions of oneself: male or female; young or old; wealthy, middle-class, or poor; gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or heterosexual; able-bodied or with disabilities; Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, or atheist” (Tatum, 1997, p. 33). As a young white Christian man born into a middle-class household I have lived a relatively privileged life. Both my parents went to college, and though in my early childhood things were tighter economically, for the most part we’ve had enough money. In this way I have a lot of privilege compared to other people in our society. I probably won’t experience racism, and I have countless privileges because of not only my race but also my gender, my religion, and my sexual orientation. Something that my mom taught me that has really stuck with me is this idea that as I am a person born into a position of privilege, it is up to me to stand up for those less fortunate. If I see someone of a different, race, religion, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation being mistreated It’s important for me to stand up for them. In my life I attempt to be inclusive, interacting with all different types of people. I feel like because of my race and background I could be treated differently than other people, or, to say it differently, I am less likely to be mistreated because of my race. I have been born into a position of privilege and power, but I hope that I can use it to aid the marginalized instead of furthering systems of racism and bias.

My identity is shaped by my experiences in childhood. Moving from a small town to a big city, being homeschooled, going to co-ops, and experiencing a pandemic have all shaped me into who I am today. On the flip side I am likely perceived in society based on my skin color, language, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. I have been born into a position of privilege in this regard. I think that people born into a position of privilege have the opportunity to use their privilege to help those less privileged. My lived experiences have shaped me into who I am today, and my social identity affects how I interact with the world.

Reference

Mann, M. A. (2006). The formation and development of individual and ethnic identity: Insights from psychiatry and psychoanalytic theory. American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 66(3), 211-24. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11231-006-9018-2

Tatum, B. D. (1997). Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria? Revised edition. Basic Books. https://sbctc-lwtech.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01STATEWA_LWTC/117qsle/cdi_proquest_ebookcentralchapters_5368838_10_96

Wilde, O. (2003). The portrait of mr W. H. Hesperus.