The following paper is a critical case study that investigates the concept of identity in regards to Jalila Arthur. It is a discourse on her social structures, her practice of agency when it comes to her communication practices, and her performance of her cultural identity. I emphasize the individual, interactive (especially in regards to family) as well as the social and historical importance of these aspects of identity. .
I will be using my own experience to increase my sociological understanding my movements from what I think I am to what I do to become my identity. Many different cultural contexts are the garden from which my identity grows, and although I would not consider myself a "cultural broker" or a "third culture kid," the ways in which I perform my culture leads to the creation of an enriched cultural blossoming of my identity (p.207-209, Martin, Judith N., & Thomas K. Nakayama). Through a discussion of my personal life experiences, it becomes evident that through intercultural communication one can create an identity that is enriched by unique elements chosen from multiple cultures.
Historical Antecedents.
Family histories are usually not recorded for future generations but they are passed down through the telling of stories from family members. These events happen at the same time as more historically important national and world events and in my case was influenced by them. Sara Ann Sanford (Born in Macon, Georgia, July 12th, 1931), married Sam P. Arthur in 1950 and had one child: Sam Sanford Arthur (Born in Albany, Georgia, December 5th, 1952). He has six children; the youngest of these children is Jalila Ann Arthur (Born in Rociada, New Mexico, April 3rd, 1994). Sam S. Arthur witnessed the civil rights movement at it took place in Leesburg County, Georgia, just as he was entering adulthood. The attitude held by his parents towards other ethnic groups, and races eventually caused him to migrate overseas, change his religion, and adopt an entirely different world view.
