Being Native at Home; Being Native at Stanford - Ashlynn Black

During my freshman year, I took a Thinking Matters class about how society and culture defines the body. During a particular discussion section, we discussed how people introduced themselves to other people. Someone who is a person of color may introduce their race and culture; however, someone who is not a person of color may never take into account their race being a defining feature for him or her. Or, for example, someone who is not heterosexual may find their sexuality as a defining feature. Basically, if you have qualities that don't match or relate to the norm, you find yourself identifying very strongly with the quality.

 Now, back to my main point (my thesis), I find it rather exhausting to come to Stanford and try to identify with my Native identity. In my introductions, the extra words I add, which are, "I'm from Northern Arizona, and I live on the Navajo reservation," or, "I'm Native American," can become really tiring after awhile. At home, this is never a problem. I am who I am; I may be Navajo, but it's a way of life; it's a way of living. However, when I'm at Stanford, this isn't the case. When I'm here, it's a way of identification. It is what sets you apart from people. It's a way for others to categorize you, and it's a way for others to perceive you. As I progress through this course, I hope I can find a better way to identify each other.