Tag: identity
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Kalen’s Intro
As I perceived myself, perceiving myself in the center of my life looking all around- I remembered the joy and liberation of embracing the situatedness of my identity.
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The Road Not Taken
It is safe to surround oneself in the familiar. To eat the same food, hangout with the same friends, speak only one language and develop a life full of predictability. Predictability creates consistency and reduces discomfort and potential for failure. But predictability robs my of contentment, fulfillment, wonder and sense of accomplishment. I like changing…
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Though I’m Wrong, I Write
I think critically, I share my thoughts and I grow. I better utilize my strengths and I am more aware of my weaknesses. I enjoy studying cultural competency and the importance of diversity. Though I condemned echo-chambers in my last post, I realize that I may reside in an echo chamber myself. How can you say, ‘Brother, let me take the speck…
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The Restrictions of Religion
I hail from Muskogee, Oklahoma- the county seat with a population of around 30,000 kind, traditional and somewhat conformist individuals. I had 114 in my graduating class. Of these 114 people there was little religious/ spiritual variety. Last weekend in a conversation with my mom, we discussed how most students and staff from my high…
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“I am whatever I say I am”
“Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.” – Alan Watts It’s easy, but kind of pointless. My name is Kalen. I’m majoring in Strategic Communications. I like to read and write. I’m graduating next May. I think I’m pretty funny. I love to drink coffee and eat dessert. I have…
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microaggressions – BIG SCREEN
Get Out was the number one in America last weekend. Written by comedian Jordan Peele, Get Out uses satire to discuss racism and its subsequent prejudices and microagressions. This film combines fiction and reality to make the topic of race more palatable/ comfortable. Microaggressions are a common phenomenon. They plague the media, relationships and conversations. Microaggressions: the everyday…
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Strange Fruit
17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:17-20 Growing a tree takes…
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The Advantage of Viewpoint
Within the political paradigm, the cultural concept, the religious routine, emphasis is placed on distinction. In an effort to maintain their identities, members of certain groups keep to themselves, lest they be tempted to a new way of thought. “Cognitive dissonance refers to a situation involving conflicting attitudes, beliefs or behaviors. This produces a feeling…
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More Than Meets The -I-
The need for community it an intrinsic human desire. When asked of the greatest commandment, Jesus said, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31. Written almost 1,000 years later, The Epic of…
Kalen Nicole 