To what extent have your perceptions of belonging been influenced by the texts you have studied? Refer to your prescribed text and at least one other text of your own choosing. Belonging or feeling as though you are an important part of a whole, is an essential part of an individuals’ understanding of life. If an individual does not feel as though they belong either to a group, place or community it can lead them to feel unsatisfied with their lives. This perception of belonging has been influenced by both Peter Skrzynecki’s ‘Immigrant Chronicle’ and Shaun Tan’s graphic novel ‘The Arrival.’ Cultural identity often plays a large role in our sense of self and allowing us to feel as though we belong.
With groups it can affect organisations, communities and society as a whole. Even the people who inflict discrimination can be affected by negative impact -they could fail to experience the benefits of diversity, equality and inclusion. It could also affect their broadening of their horizons. Negative impact can be :- Loss of self esteem Poor self image Confusion, anger and depression Disempowerment Loss of motivation, achievement Missed opportunities Marginalisation 1.3 The importance of inclusive practice is it enables people to be valued, confident, feel safe and have all their needs met. They can then participate in society without feeling prejudice or
“Explore how perceptions of belonging and not belonging can be influenced by connections to place” Belonging can be perceived in many different ways, and having a sense of belonging is essential to an individual’s life. Belonging creates a sense of connection and acceptance to people, groups, places, communities or the world itself, allowing the individual to have a sense of identity. The text “Swallow the Air” is a perfect representation of how concepts of belonging are portrayed and can be influenced by connections to place. Mays sense of identity is corrupted through damaging experiences, leaving May exposed and vulnerable. This sense of vulnerability creates a sense of isolation and displacement in society for May.
We sometimes seem wired to adopt the goals of the people around us, particularly when we develop a close relationship with them. Of course, that can be a positive or negative thing depending on what the people around us are doing. For that reason, we have to be careful to surround ourselves with other people who are engaging in behaviours that we would like to see in ourselves. If one is unable to feel adequate enough within a group or is not fully comfortable with themselves, there is a chance one may conform in order to fit in. ‘The more insecure people feel, the more conformist they become.’- John Elder.
These are highlighted because it is claimed that “O me! O life!” ;is a distilled version of “Song of Myself”. During the entirety of both poems, Walt Whitman encourages that to have a fulfilling life, one must ask the right questions, find good in their surroundings and contribute to life. Both plays are molded around series of questions. “"O me!
CT279: Understanding Sensory Loss. 1, 1, There are a number of factors that can impact individuals with sensory loss, communication and awareness plays a big role in this, they may also find it difficult to feed themselves, dressing, mobility, hobbies and interests can have a major negative impact on their lives. They could also feel scared and alone. There can also be positive factors that could impact on individuals lives, increased help, aids for support and a good support team could give them a better outlook on life. 1, 2, Societal attitudes and beliefs can impact individuals with sensory loss in quite a negative way because people in society can be very judgmental towards people with disabilities, and put them in a group of people with below average intelligence and assume they can’t do or think the same way as other people without disabilities can.
The human psyche is driven by the desire to feel accepted and included followed by the underlying feature to socialise. This is explored through the concept of belonging which creates a duality nature in which an individual’s ability to interact with others in society can be of a positive and negative influence. Factors like the environment consist of social and cultural constructs which define a human’s sense of identity as it facilitates the notion of shared experiences and interest. However a lack of mutual identity can be of a negative nature as it isolates those who cannot conform to the expectation of other’s. On this basis, shared identity is clearly evident in Peter Skrzynecki’s anthology; The Immigrant Chronicles who describes the
“Our understanding of belonging is enhanced by times of isolation.” It is true that the deprivation of belonging further enhances our need of it and ultimately our understanding of the concept. Once a sense of belonging is reached the moral refinement of ones perception of self leads to a point of conclusive identity. Steven Herrick’s free verse novel The Simple Gift highlights the journey of Billy, Old Bill and Caitlin as they go through the process of alienation to achieve a strong sense of inner and social belonging. The film The Freedom Writers directed by Richard LaGravenese examines a similar idea of identity which revolves around a situation where overwhelming social pressure forces different races apart and constructs a barrier preventing tribes to belong to and function as a greater society. The Shawshank Redemption directed by Frank Darabont explores the human capacity of adapting and changing oneself depending on the needs and influences of one’s environment through protagonist Andy Dufresne who struggles to rediscover himself after being wrongly sentenced to prison.
Belonging is an ambiguous concept which can offer individuals a sense of identity, security and connectedness. Experiences of belonging are closely related to a person’s interaction with others, as positive experiences can enrich their sense of belonging, and negative experiences can limit their sense of belonging. An individual’s limited experience of belonging through their inability to positively interact with others can often incite them to reject the majority through acts of defiance, self-alienation and rebellion. This notion of belonging/not belonging, acceptance/identity and choosing not to belong, is extensively explored within Peter Skrzynecki’s poem, St. Patrick’s College, from the anthology Immigrant Chronicle. The poem begins with Peter’s mother longing for him to belong and be accepted into society.
About Belonging Most people have a need to belong somewhere with someone. We dress a certain way, speak in a certain language, join groups, and communities. Belonging makes us feel secure in life, both emotionally and physically. Belonging also helps us discover our identity, and at times, through belonging we form a new identity, influenced by others. Belonging is a big concept in both the novel, The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick and the Japanese Song Strange Chameleon written by Wasao Nakayama the vocalist of a Japanese rock band The Pillows.