Intersectionality Research Paper

Intersectionality is the interconnected nature of social categorization such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantaged.
Intersectionality is how being an Asian-American female that has mental illnesses, in a low socio economic class, and is a non-practicing/ questioning Christian makes who I am and makes the experience of life more difficult to navigate. 我是苗人。 我不是中国人。
“No, where are you really from?” said a classmate in utter disbelief when finding out that I was born in Minneapolis, yet not being able to get past the exotic look of someone who is of Hmong decent. “I was born in Minneapolis, I am an American” was my passive-aggressive response to the ignorance. The saying goes, “First impressions matter”, usually in regards to when a person sets eyes on another.
How can another person make judgments on your appearance when that is not fully who you are? With one parent being 100% Hmong and the other being 100% European, there was no way I was going to come off as “white” to anyone. To others, who are not me and no little of me, I appear as fully Asian. Meaning, there is only skepticism when people find out that only a part of me is pure. Sometimes people think they know the genetic makeup of myself better than I do. Nails. One thing to make me feel special. Something I am good at. Something I would like to learn more about and how to perfect the art of. Telling such aspirations to anyone invokes a laugh and a response about me fulfilling the lifelong prophecy of all Asian women. Being a nail technician. When I grow up, I want to be …. If you are a girl you have option A, a wife and mother; option B, a princess, or option C, an actual career. If you are a boy you have all and any options for future careers. For me, the only tangible future career options were those typically fulfilled by women or had a major component that related to the life of women. One time I thought that I could serve our country, but why could a woman possibly do such a thing? Walking down Snelling, enjoying the early autumn air and new friends, excited for the adventure that awaited me. I was starting my first year of “real” college, as I had chosen to complete online college courses while in high school, in a new big city. So much hope for an environment rid of white, alt-right, Christians that filled my hometown. I remember the confidence I felt strutting down the street, like I was on America’s Next Top Model, that suddenly turned to blatant anger. A few honks of the horn, a non-spoken cat call, made me realize that ALL men can demean any woman they choose where and when ever. “What man wants a woman whose hands are bleeding from dryness, that isn’t skinny, that isn’t smart?” One of many great lines used in my raising. “Oh, they are just being kids.” “She is just a bad child.” “What are we going to do with her?” All lines said by those who raising me. My actions were less than impressive, sometimes even worry some. My actions, though, were reactions to the undiagnosed mental illnesses I was facing. When you have depression, crying is easy. Crying can be triggered by the littlest things, like existing. To those who do not suffer or reject mental illness, crying is not just a sign of weakness, it is weakness in its purest form. Pushing away the past as if it never happened. Trying to forget who conceived me, and the reality behind my conception. Trying hard to repress memories of abandonment, favoritism, and emotional abuse. Alcoholism as a normality of life. Daily screaming matches. Such a combination is destined to leave the one in the middle with trauma, trauma lasting a lifetime. There is one stipulation when registering for classes. The balance one your student account must be under $1,000. If not, you must get special permission to proceed. When you are an independent student with no help from anyone, except from student loans, $1,600 is a lot, let alone $1,000. This is especially a nuisance when the expectation is to pay it off sooner rather than later and your monthly income qualifies you to be living in poverty. Being a school built on diversity is quite hypocritical when their definition does not include those who are unable pay up. A nice spacious 1 bedroom/ 1 bathroom apartment. All utilities are included, except water and heat. Pets are welcomed. Parking is available. Only $875 a month. Deposit is one month’s rent. The application fee is $45 per adult. To qualify your monthly income must total 3X monthly rent.

He, the Christian God, is also known as the Prince of Peace. With the world as it is now, how is such a being possible. From one nation to another, the world is full of war and hate. How can I believe in a Prince of Peace when there is none?
Anxiety rushes over me as I hear my name being called.
It was my turn. My turn to discuss the essay, about my perspective on the Lutheran religion, that was between me being confirmed and not. I was a part of a very accepting ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America). My pastor, fellow church members, and peers within confirmation built a very inclusive community for all. With this in mind, I felt comfortable enough to question my pastor after discussing aspects of my essay. I asked “If we all go to Heaven, then what is the purpose of Hell?” This question has bothered me. Throughout my life at my church I was told that no matter what we do, good or bad, we will be forgiven by God and go to heaven. I was also taught that Hell was place for bad people. These were contradictory statements I could never feel content in who my God was and the actions He took upon us. Once I asked the question a blankness came upon my pastor’s face. He had to admit that the question had stumped him. With him being unable to answer, my thoughts that my religion was never constant was
confirmed.