Based on Jim May’s work, (815) 648-2039, maystory@earthlink.net

Create a cultural identity, not just based on race and ethnicity, but all the things that make up who you are.

GIVEN (things you can not change)    CHOSEN (things you can change)

Gender:                                                 Occupation:

Race:                                                     Education:

Economic Class:                                   Politics:

Religion of Birth                                   Religion of choice

Place of birth                                         Hobbies

Order of birth                                        Where you live

Marital status of parents                         Personal style

Physical abilities/disabilities                   Children

Family Motto                                         Personal motto

Language                                               Relationship status

Ethnic background/race                         Friends

Geography                                             Values           

Politics/Values

Chose the two or three things that are important to you right now (hot spots, writing topics).  What would they have been 2 years ago?  Ten years ago?  What will they be two years from now?  Ten?  Put them into a Topic Sentence, that for the purposes of this exercise, is your Cultural Identity.

I am a (Given) ________ ________ _________ who (Chosen_____ ________ _______.

1)    What is good or nourishing about your cultural identity?

2)    What is hard or difficult about it?

3)    Have you ever been ashamed of your background or choices, when have you turned your back on your culture?

4)    Who and what did you leave behind to get where you are now?

5)    What physical object represents your upbringing?

6)    What from my upbringing has given me survival skills and strengths?

7)    What has not been useful about your background?

8)    Who helped you in your journey?  Who hurt you?  What was your magic and transformation (see myth model hand out?