Throughout my development, my social change identity has evolved in response to my personality traits and lived experiences. I tend to be shy and anxious in social situations. But I am kind and maternal, which helps me navigate my group memberships and build connections. The combination of these traits encourages me to be observant, quick to spot an injustice, and compelled to be helpful to those in need or treated unfairly. I am particularly sensitive to human rights issues and preserving resources for future generations, eager to behind the scenes, but still taking actionable steps. I have a strong conviction of social responsibility, holding the perspective that doing anything is better than doing nothing. My personality may keep me from leading the march or talking at a rally, but I am happy to be the one to organize it, both roles being necessary to enact meaningful change.
My lived experiences have had a very important influence on my social change identity. I grew up in poverty, with a father in and out of jail and addicted to drugs. These experiences are responsible for my opinions and ethics regarding many of the soci etal issues we currently face. My in-depth knowledge of what it is like to not have access to healthcare, housing, or other resources, to know how it feels to be stigmatized because of mental health, and to be one of the families damaged because of failures in our criminal justice system creates in me a need for change and a desire to be part of it. These experiences direct where I put my efforts and inspire my dedication to societal change, hoping to prevent others from suffering in the same ways I have.
Understanding my social change identity cannot be done without appreciating the social influences in my life. My demographics, such as where I live, lifestyle, and SES, and religion have completely dictated what I have been exposed to, the culture I grew up in, and what traditions I observe. The societal issues I have experienced and witnessed other community members go through are the issues I feel most compelled to resolve. Within my community, I have access to groups that share the same goals. Engaging with my in-groups and observing the out-groups in my community has enabled my identity to evolve to consider other perspectives. This then grants me access to information, viewpoints, and other societal issues I have not personally experienced, further growing my social change identity and providing me with opportunities to participate in collective efforts for change.
Being psychologically vulnerable has been an incredible asset to developing my social change identity. As the word develops, my social change identity is a product of my growth, only possible by being vulnerable. I enable this by being open to other people’s experiences and perspectives, viewing them as learning opportunities. I have been enlightened to countless issues I did not personally experience by opening my heart and my mind. My willingness to acknowledge all I do not know, to listen, and to be teachable has provided me with the inspiration needed to actively seek change. Being psychologically vulnerable also allows me to be more empathetic, helping me form deep connections. These relationships are critical to participating in a meaningful way in collective efforts for social change. Through vulnerability, my social change identity not only develops but is able to flourish.
It is unavoidable that as we live and experience life, we change in both positive and negative ways. When it is for the better, we are experiencing personal growth. Our emotional intelligence allows us to be aware of and empathetic to others, providing the motivation to change ourselves and society. While on this path, we will undoubtedly encounter difficulties and reluctance, but our resiliency drives us forward, determined to effect positive change. But it is our growth-mindset that facilitates us to learn as we go, take lessons from our mistakes and the mistakes of others. Using this newly acquired knowledge is our guide to success. All of the aspects we have discussed, personality traits, lived experiences, social influences, vulnerability, and our EI, such as adaptability and our coping mechanisms, all have a role to play in forming our social change identity, and enacting it.
References –
Murphy, Q. (n.d.). Social Change Identity Vocabulary List. Bright Space; Southern New Hampshire University. https://learn.snhu.edu/content/enforced/1650745-PSY-491-15148.202456-1/course_documents/PSY%20491%20Social%20Change%20Identity%20Vocabulary%20List.pdf?ou=1650745