Purpose
To gain insight into how our cultural identities inform our experiences, values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, and to better understand the diversity (and connections!) within this cohort group.
Background
Part of developing an equity lens involves understanding our own culture(s)–our personal lens. This discussion is an opportunity to reflect on our culture and share aspects of our culture with our peers and colleagues.
Identity Wheel: Our Primary and Secondary Dimensions of Culture
The primary dimensions of culture, including age, race, gender, ethnicity, (dis)abilities, sexual identity, economic class (childhood), and religion (childhood) serve as core elements and shape our basic self-image and our fundamental worldview. They help form our core expectations of others in our personal and professional life.
The secondary dimensions of culture including education, income/economic status, religious beliefs (current), relationship/parental status, geographic location, and work background serve as independent influences on our self esteem and self definition. This influence varies with who we are, our stage of life, and changes we have experienced.
The graphic below dives into identifying primary and secondary dimensions of culture and diversity. We belong to several cultures simultaneously which create our identities, loyalties, and strengthen allegiances to our cultures.
Adapted from Marilyn Loden and Judy Rosener; Workforce America! Managng Empoyee Diversity as A Vital Resource, Homewood, IL: Business One Irwin (1991)
Wheel of Privilege: Identifying our Intersecting Identities
This variation of the identity wheel examines various aspects of one’s identity (shaped by primary and secondary dimensions of culture) in relationship to power (center of wheel) in American culture (as opposed to Marginalized on the outside of the wheel.) Notice the various aspects of one’s identity examined in this wheel that align with the primary and secondary dimensions in the Identity Wheel above.
Directions
Now that you have examined both the Identity Wheel and the Wheel of Privilege,
- Review the dimensions in the Identity Wheel and Wheel of Privilege
- Think of 3-5 dimensions that highlight your own identity.
- Tell the story of who you are that reflects these dimensions.
