Construction of Self

The purpose of this weeks DB is to address the idea of constructing the self which will involve
the process of including different disciplinary ideas.
Our text discusses the differences and similarities of how Westerners and Non-Westerns view
the idea of self. Japanese, Africans and other Non-Westerners do not believe in individualism.
This could be compared to the Japanese process of arranged marriages - a social norm. All
parents select the spouses of their sons or daughters. This practice while traditional in its nature,
has proved to work well and with a surprisingly low divorce rate. This communal requirement
may be different depending on the culture however, it applies to the Non-Western idea of self,
which is the belief that the goal of an individual is to contribute to the well-being of the
community and that any outright expression of individualism goes against the community as a
whole. African Americans on the other hand, albeit raised in a Western society, tend to exhibit
their contextualization of self in ways very similar to that of their African ancestors/counterparts.
While Im not technically African-American, I have been fully integrated in an AfricanAmerican methodology of thinking due to the color of my skin and having experienced racism
throughout my life. My parents grew up during the Civil Rights Movement therefore I was
taught about the struggles of my predecessors and that I should continue to make strides in my
life to not only be the best person I can be, but to also follow in the legacy of growth, progression
and change. These views are both individualistic and community based in their nature.
I would have to consider myself both a protester and an accommodationist in that I have been
raised to conform in society to a certain degree however, I also have that protester spirit inside
that is ever conscious of racial disparity, which drives me to speak out against and fight for
equality. Like most Westerners, I also feel completely and utterly responsible for my destiny

instead of the African determination which is spiritual, predestined and a component of a

persons personhood (Arroyo, 2013). Similar to African beliefs, I was also raised in a very
spiritual household to believe that religion is highly regarded and plays an essential part of the
success of the family unit as well as the community. This encompasses the discipline of religion
and psychology as the two frequently intertwine.
It is my belief that African-American Westerners can be muli-faceted in regards to self. We
have had to learn and adapt for so long while simultaneously attempting to not lose oneself.
Oneself in this aspect does not only apply to the individual, but also ones community.
Resources
Arroyo, Andrew T., Ideas and their influences, 2nd. ed. (2013). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt
Publishing.
Knox, D., & Schacht, C. (2013). Singlehood, Hanging Out, Hooking Up and Cohabitation. In
Choices in Relationships: An Introduction to Marriage and the Family (pp. 138-146).
Belmont: Wadsworth.
Traditional Marriage in China: A Few Interesting Aspects. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2015.