Definition Essay: Defining Myself

To define oneself is to describe who one is in the most delicate way. It is to view one’s own words and contrast them with one’s actions. Defining oneself is to look past any superficial characteristics and explore the interior motives of our beliefs. Why do we choose to do and say the things that we do and say? How is it that our beliefs are structured and how can we profile ourselves in a way that is both honest and understandable. I define myself as a person who does not truly understand myself. I have only recently begun to break down my opinions and actions and view myself for the person I truly am. Who am I? I am a person who does the things I need to do to be successful in the future. I am a person who believes into people before I really

In high school I was involved in gender and race discussions as well as panels focusing on the topic of houselessness. During a discussion held between students of my high school, of which was extremely diverse, and students of another high school, which at the time had two people of color, I recall a major difference in vocabulary. Those from my school, even white men like me, discussed the issue of racism as a difficulty we all face, perhaps not head on but an issue that affects all people. The other students said that they had almost been lead to differentiate their issues with the issue of racism, to look at those who struggle with racism. At the time, I felt as though I was a person who understood and held my self responsible for sharing the privilege I have with others. Since college has begun and I have found myself surrounded by white men and have noticed myself differentiating myself from those who face issues like racism. I am slowly becoming the students from the other school who I found unaware of the issues of society and who did not hold themselves morally responsible for using their privilege to spread equality. Etty Hillesum wrote, “I really see no other solution than to turn inward and to root out all the rottenness there. I no longer believe that we can change anything in the world until we have first changed ourselves. And that seems to me the only lesson to be learned” (Hillesum 1981). I am becoming a person who does not think about my moral responsibility to reach out to those with less privilege. I have become comfortable in a primarily Caucasian school in a primarily Caucasian community. I know that without looking at the rottenness in my own thought, in my biases, and in my tendency for inaction, I cannot help change the society I live