Writing about Identity
Lesson Four: Writing about Identity
Curriculum by National Youth Poet Laureate Program, 2020
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Table of contents
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Social and cultural identity, heritage, ancestry, intersectionality.�
Themes
Mini-lecture on social and cultural identities and how words shape those identities, Learn about Greek aeidein or ode. Close reading and annotation, discussion, performance.
Method
Using poetry to express one’s experiences around background and identity.
Outcome
Reading their poems to their peers open-mic style or in small groups.
Evaluation
“Difference is of the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore
never be the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a
most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity.” ~ John Hume.
What is identity?
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You can enter a subtitle here if you need it
The journey of self-discovery
While we are all multi-faceted people, made up of myriad social and cultural identities, backgrounds, heritages, ancestries, and group memberships (i.e. race, religion, class, sex-assigned-at-birth, gender, sexuality, age, body ability, body size, neurodiversity, etc.), there are powerful poems where authors hone in on a specific aspect of their identities and heritages. This doesn’t mean that their other identities are also a vital part of the fabric and framework of the piece. It does mean that being specific can sometimes offer more universal access to a reader. For instance, being specific about one’s experience around ethnicity could resonate with a reader’s experience about their religion or race. The goal today is to think about their many identities and heritages, and also learn how – at large, not just with identity and ancestry – focusing a poem on a single topic, versus listing everything about one’s entire life! – can yield some of the best work. We cannot fit our entire life story into a single poem. We can fit our entire self into a poem by being honest about every line we write and share. That’s our goal here. Joshua Jennifer Espinoza shares how being a trans woman means people constantly question their identity as a woman and that they just want to truly be heard. Joshua Bennett presents different things that represent and are a part of his heritage.
Warm up Conversation
What is social identity?
Additional conversations
The parts of who you are that relate to your culture; these often relate to specific expectations or behaviors that are expected by people of your cultural background. �
What is cultural identity?
An individual’s lineage or line of descent from their ancestors. �
What is ancestry?
What is heritage?
The customs, traditions, beliefs, monuments, spaces, buildings, artifacts, and more that an individual inherits from their ancestors. �
Additional questions for conversation
Discussion
Let’s get into groups and answer the following questions in a Google Doc that you will share with me.
Each group will answer:
Writing
● Make a list of the various kinds of social and cultural identities. Some examples could be:
o Race
o Gender
o Sexuality
o Ethnicity
o Religion
o Neurodiversity
o Body shape / size
o Body ability
o Nationality
Writing
● Now, next to each example, write how you identify in each category. Feel free to add other aspects of your cultural identity, heritage, and ancestry as you write.
Writing
● Circle one aspect of your social or social identity, heritage or ancestry from your list that you especially appreciate and/or of which you are especially proud.
Writing
● The word ‘ode’ comes from the Greek aeidein, which means to sing or to chant. Likewise, an Ode poem that praises someone or something. Write an ode to this part of yourself! Celebrate it! Maybe even incorporate other tools you’ve learned so far!
Sharing
When we share our poem, we can snap our fingers, clap, or wave our hands. When you hear something one of your colleagues wrote, you can provide feedback with “I like,” “I notice,” and “I wonder.”
Closing
Let’s go back to the start of today’s poetry workshop. Now, share a word that describes how you’re feeling, what you learned, or what you are taking away from this lesson.
Appendix
● Where Are You Really From? by Carlos Andrés Gómez [Video link: https://youtu.be/701a3ZgT1EE]
● Why Are Muslims So…by Detroit Team [Video link: https://youtu.be/3_i7wELTVi0]
● A Letter To the Girl I Used To Be by Ethan Smith [Video Link: https://youtu.be/Lkn06Y8prDU]
● What It’s Like To Be Transgender by Lee Mokobe [Video link: https://youtu.be/S8DwxjDrNNM]
● Thank You For Coming Out with host Dubbs Weinblatt [Podcast series link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thank-you-for-coming-out/id1469585249]