Introduction
In the complex architecture of political life, many stimuli influence an individual’s perception, resulting from family-educational background, class and cultural influences, key events and experiences, and group identity or rhetoric used by politicians. In my case, I was raised in a racist society in which the historical nature of segregation was shaped. In this paper, I will articulate my political perspective and identity based on how family and community discourse and group belonging shape me into an individual with a vast political influence.
Family and community dynamics
There were painful and positive touches of history in the political undertone underlying our black neighborhood dinnertime conversations. My parents played the role of fanatic civil rights activists seeking to overhaul the nature, source, and means of political power as a driver for change. This setting makes it feel mandatory to participate politically, indicating its reflection on many concerns, such as racial discrimination and inequality in the system of criminal justice reform and economic disadvantages (Vakil, 2020). The right social responsibility associated with the shared memory of all individuals victimized by many historical wrongs, such as slavery or the Civil Rights Movement, is political activism. However, the political tales of my grandparents, who fought for their primary rights to vote and free equal treatment under the law, are not merely historical events but personal stories that influence how I see politics. This consciousness has inspired me to participate in local elections and fight for measures that promote the continuous reduction of racial or gender divides.
Group Identity and Its Influence
The intersectionality of my black female personality also greatly influences how I think about politics. What I know about political issues comes from the realities of both race and gender that live within me. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement is not only a social issue but also something that impacts me individually. Society’s fears and dreams directly influence my involvement in political discussions and activities. A group identity beyond race covers women’s liberation (Literat & Kligler-Vilenchik, 2019). Reproductive rights, which also refer to the gender pay gap and workplace discrimination, definitely resonate a lot with me. In reality, these group identities are a strong impetus for political activism. It motivates me to act as an activist for politicians and policies that benefit marginalized people while opposing those who promote societal inequality.
Critical reflection and action
Reflecting critically on how my upbringing and experiences have shaped my political thoughts and actions reveals a consistent and powerful theme: personal experiences and sociocultural issues. My family history was always framed by our shared narrative of growing up when much war was fought for civil rights. They were not just abstractions of political thought but realistic stories that appeared to mirror my black womanhood. This buried consciousness of today’s society has come quickly, reflecting my political outlook and urging me to be concerned with contemporary matters.
This is also evident from my highly active involvement in the community forums. These forums act as a medium that lets me share what I feel and how society is being shaped. They are a tool for co-creative problem-solving linked to solving system problems, including racial inequality, economic discrimination, and gender imbalance (Wieschiolek, 2020). This volunteerism commitment is also a great character trait contributing to value-based campaigns. I support the desired change by supporting candidates and the appropriate groups’ movements.
The conversation about the challenges facing black women rips my heart wide open. Such problems discuss the special difficulties that we need to face right now at this particular crossroad where race and gender meet—poor healthcare, educational issues, or fighting against institutionalized racism or sexism. This way, I teach others while encouraging other black women to exercise their rights.
As a black woman, my position allows me to understand and contest the injustice encoded in political designs. This identity reflects what is human and represents a manner of viewing the world and the strength that drives my activism. It inspires me to fight for causes that promote social justice, racial equality, and gender fairness (Wieschiolek, 2020). My family advocacy is personal and spreads beyond the two workplaces, where I continue to emphasize and promote these vital issues daily.
By asserting the legitimacy of my voice and suffrage, I can create an even wider variety of political scenarios. A much fuller depiction of my behavioral background is provided by a contextualized family environment and previously lived events. It is also an aspiration to accomplish remarkably more than merely maneuver through politics but also outdo it. Political activism in this process does not end with solving my city’s immediate challenges; it also means setting the foundation for an egalitarian society to come.
Conclusion
My attempt to comprehend how I perceive politics as a black woman is based on personal and cultural history. The role of family and community influences the group identity phenomenon, an extremely strong force that shaped my political attitudes and created their particular forms. This voyage proves that it is very necessary to understand the origin of political notions and their true implications regarding personal behavior. This knowledge allows us to be more productive, informed, and useful when participating politically. We work towards a much better and more harmonious society.
References
Literat, I., & Kligler-Vilenchik, N. (2019). Youth collective political expression on social media: The role of affordances and memetic dimensions for voicing political views. New media & society, 21(9), 1988-2009.
Vakil, S. (2020). “I’ve always been scared that someday I’m going to sell out”: Exploring the relationship between political identity and learning in computer science education. Cognition and Instruction, 38(2), 87–115.
Wieschiolek, H. (2020). ‘Ladies, Just Follow His Lead!’Salsa, Gender and Identity. In Sport, dance and embodied identities (pp. 115-138). Routledge.