I have never
thought much about Place and Identity but as I reflect on them I can see that
they are a crucial part of the way people relate and communicate with each other. My identity like everyone’s is made up of all
kinds of characteristics, connections and experiences. My place has to do with
the fact that I have spent my whole life in central Ohio but I have traveled a
lot in and out of the country. I have
been “identified” as a hard working student with a passion for extreme sports. At an early age I wanted to ride anything
that was motorized. I have been racing
motocross for five years. The identity
and place of a typical motocross racer would not be someone like me here in
central Ohio with its cold winters and many rainy seasons. A more typical rider would be living in
southern California and riding every day of the year. I guess the point I’m trying to make is that a
person’s identity does not have to be defined by their place. One of
my writing assignments from high school was a research paper on the career of
Engineering. Doing that assignment
helped me decide to go into the field of Engineering. I think that it will be
very important in this field to be able to consider the “place” and “identity”
of my fellow students, my clients, and my co-workers. In order to convince people to do things that
way I think they should be done, I am going to have to think about who they are
and where they are coming from.
I enjoy how you incorporated your love for extreme sports and used it to refute the direct relationship of a "single" place and identity. How it doesn't just take one place to shape one's identity but multiple places if that is where your identity takes you. I think that is what you are trying to get at? And also you being selfless about definitely thinking of how to improve yourself for the benefit of clients, co-works, and corporations that will be relying on you as an engineer. You seem to be very driven and hard working in all that you do!
ReplyDeleteIt's cool that a person's identity doesn't need to necessarily be defined by where they live. I have a friend who lives in central Ohio, but he has a huge passion for surfing and surfer culture. Because central Ohio bodies of water are obviously not conducive to surfing, he makes several trips to Florida a year in order to do what he loves.
ReplyDeleteI do really like how you brought up that where you live doesnt have to completely influence you as a person. I also grew up in central Ohio in Upper Arlington if you have ever heard of that. And I feel that in that community people are portrayed as snobby, rich, and stuck up, however you can choose to be something different and not let that shape you into the person you want to become. Where did you go to school?
ReplyDeleteWorthington Kilbourne
ReplyDelete