The social networks in which we operate are complex. The communities we find ourselves affiliated with often serve to define us, positively and negatively, and some are even outside of our control.
Copied here is a list of community affiliations: (1) Languages, (2) Organizations/Groups, (3) Interest Groups, (4) Cultural Heritages, (5), Spiritual Communities, (6) Service Affiliations, (7) and Citizenship Status.
However you choose to define these communities is up to you. But be sure to have a sense of what each one means for you and perhaps a few examples or descriptions to help you understand it better. On a piece of paper or blank document, make a list of these communities that you can add notes to.
Now that you have a list, read through the following statements. As you read them, write down the letter of the statement near the community or communities you think the statements resonate with the most. You may find that some statements resonate with several communities and others with none at all, which is completely fine. This process entails a great deal of reflection and introspection, so go through them slowly.
- These are the communities I am most aware of at home.
- These are the communities I know the most about.
- These are the communities I know the least about.
- These are the communities I tend to keep hidden.
- These are the communities I most like to share with new people
- These are the communities I think about most often.
- These are the communities I think about the least.
- These are the communities I think people use to judge me.
- These are the communities I think bring me the most joy.
- These are the communities I think bring me the most struggle, pain, challenge, and/or concern.
- These are the communities I believe are the most important to me, right now, in this room.
Now that you have finished, take a breath, and give yourself a minute a reflect on this process. Read over your responses and take time to respond to the questions below.
- What was it like to think of my communities in this way?
- What did I learn about myself through this process?
- What was difficult or easy about this process?
- What tensions do I feel between my communities?
- What themes consistently track across all of these exercises?
- Using all four, and my answer to the previous question, how now would I articulate who I am? What matters to me?
What are three ways I can use my values, the aspects of my identity, and my communities to navigate Duke? How can I use these to find resources and take advantage of the support offered here?
