MINORITY IDENTITIES IN MAJORITY SPACES
how does being the "other" impact sense of self?
about the project
please view the background for the project here.
this project was inspired by my own experiences transitioning from a predominantly-minority space during undergrad into the homogenous, white, heteronormative, privileged space that is skmc. i sought to collect responses from peers who identify as minorities within our school and medicine at large. these questions were designed to be answered in a sequential manner, building off each other in a form of guided reflection.
the questions posed to the participants are as follows:
tell me a little about your background. a thought question for some direction: what identities do you occupy, and how do these identities influence your interaction with the world?
a key point in this project is the process of “othering”—a sociological phenomenon that is perpetuated by the majority group, enhancing feelings of difference among minority individuals. what is your experience with this, if any? how about within the medical space (with school, research, etc.)?
can you imagine a future where students of minority identities can thrive and are supported, especially by our institutions? what does this look like?
what does it mean for you to occupy this space as a medical student—in SKMC and beyond?
finally, I’d like to leave space for the celebration of yourself and others— feel free to share any affirmations/last thoughts here.
you may view each participant's thoughtful and revealing responses by navigating to the "participants" tab.
in creating this project, i hoped to create a space for my peers to share their experiences as the "other." and in contemplating their responses, i think about the ways in which the positionality of the "other' continues to be perpetuated in an unwavering manner. how this truth permeates all institutions, and especially in medicine. there is still so much to think about, and so much to work towards. thank you for taking the time to engage in this content, and thank you to the participants, who lent their emotional labor for this project.
- tracy gao, skmc 2024
