My Cultural Autobiography

MT
by Macey Todd1 view·Updated Jun 19, 2022
Create your own

Audio TranscriptAuto-generated

  1. Hi, my name is Macy Todd, and this is my cultural autobiography.
  2. So, who am I?
  3. Um like I just said, my name is Macy Todd.
  4. I have an amazing mom and awesome dad and two
  5. siblings who are pretty close in age to me.
  6. My sister is 14 months older
  7. and my brother is two years younger, so we're all pretty close
  8. being. The middle child certainly has a reputation that goes along with it
  9. um which I can fit in some circumstances,
  10. um but it can be a struggle to be so close in age to your siblings to be honest.
  11. Um there are blessings that come with it, but
  12. it can also be a struggle because a lot of comparison comes along with that.
  13. Um I've struggled with that in the past,
  14. but I've also learned how to appreciate my
  15. own unique abilities and traits because of this.
  16. So,
  17. I feel as though I bring something to the table
  18. that neither of my siblings can just as they do.
  19. Um and I've been able to apply this truth to anyone I encounter.
  20. Um I was born and raised in austin texas,
  21. I lived in the same house my entire life until I attended a and m
  22. my mom's whole family lives in Austin as well, so we are a lot closer
  23. um is a family. Then many people, I know
  24. my dad's family is from a tiny town in north Carolina
  25. around seven,
  26. 175 people lived there
  27. And I'm for sure related to at least 2/3 of them probably more.
  28. That is my favorite place to go on vacation to be honest.
  29. The different lifestyles that take place in these two very different places has
  30. helped me appreciate both of them and find value in those differences.
  31. I tend to like the country a little bit more if I'm being honest.
  32. And what defines me is definitely
  33. our christian background. Um,
  34. both of anyone in my family, both mom and dad's side are christians.
  35. I don't know anybody in my family who's not.
  36. Um, that's just been a huge part of my family
  37. and it truly defines us. God has been at the center of our family for as long as I know
  38. and this is
  39. the biggest thing I cherish about us.
  40. It's where we find our joy and our purpose in life.
  41. We spend our lives serving God first and foremost
  42. and everything we do is for his glory.
  43. And because of this were active members in our churches
  44. and strive to be a light to those around us.
  45. Um,
  46. the song casting chrome's that I've linked below definitely just
  47. phrases it perfectly. The chorus
  48. says,
  49. I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody
  50. all about somebody
  51. being God who saved my soul
  52. and we just live our lives to do everything for him and to
  53. love him and love others.
  54. I do tend
  55. to be the housewife kind of girl. Um, I find a shame in that.
  56. I love to cook, clean care for kids, especially
  57. kids. I love babies so much.
  58. I will
  59. Hold one as quick and as long as I can
  60. um I just feel like God's beauty just shines through them because of how
  61. they grow and how they learn and how
  62. mesmerized they are by new things.
  63. Um and I just really have a strong desire to teach my future students
  64. um and help them to grow up to be smart and prepared citizens in the world.
  65. So my experiences in school, I actually attended
  66. Um the same private school from Kindergarten through 12th grade,
  67. I went to hill country Christian school in Austin
  68. um and the culture there is pretty
  69. consistent and by that, I mean
  70. most people have similar backgrounds to be honest,
  71. when it comes to race and religion at least
  72. there's a definite,
  73. it's definitely majority white people who also come from christian homes
  74. um that doesn't necessarily mean the students themselves
  75. are believers because it's a personal decision,
  76. but
  77. definitely a huge christian influence
  78. um and I really loved that the christian
  79. worldview was so centered around the curriculum there.
  80. Um
  81. but coming to A and m really opened my eyes to see people from
  82. all over the world and to see all these different cultures just coming together
  83. in one huge community. I really learned a lot from
  84. going to A and m
  85. I have gone to the Dominican Republic for a mission trip
  86. and here is where I
  87. had my first huge experience with different culture, just the poverty there
  88. as a huge eye opener. But
  89. one thing I did notice is these people tend to have more joy than a lot of people
  90. in the United States actually just because of their reliance on God, their belief
  91. in him
  92. and um I just really enjoyed getting to
  93. make relationships with those people here and here's some of the kiddos
  94. and I spent the weeks with,
  95. I would really cherish that
  96. so the impact. I've had
  97. a couple of social experiences.
  98. I am a white, upper,
  99. middle class female with two parents who work very
  100. hard at their jobs and they're still married.
  101. Um
  102. so I honestly, I've never lacked anything and it would be wrong of me to say that I have
  103. um but I have experienced people downplaying my hardships because of this status.
  104. They just view me and they're like,
  105. they say things like
  106. you're white,
  107. like
  108. you must not have any issues or
  109. they say stuff like well shoot your white, you must be racist. Like
  110. I feel like
  111. it's not talked about enough that
  112. um white people can also face
  113. like awful comments and thoughts like that.
  114. Um
  115. and this has truly impacted me as well to just be
  116. a much more compassionate person and treat others with kindness and just
  117. not judge a book by its cover.
  118. Um I also have a best friend that has been
  119. one of my really good friends since middle school,
  120. his background, He's half black and half Puerto Rican.
  121. Um
  122. and I view this as really awesome, that just sounds
  123. that he just has so many cultures, so many
  124. special traits about him that nobody else has,
  125. but he's definitely been one of those people to face
  126. like store owners or people behind the registered, like eyeing him the entire time,
  127. just assuming he might steal something or try
  128. to run out with something. And I just really hate that for him.
  129. And I know that happens for many other people.
  130. Um, again, because of this experience,
  131. I wanted to just not judge a book by its cover and how
  132. stereotypes and assumptions can really hurt others and lead them to feel,
  133. I'm afraid hurt and misunderstood.
  134. Lastly, what I feel like I contribute to the classroom.
  135. Um, first and foremost is compassion and love
  136. throughout my life. And because of these experiences I've had,
  137. I've developed a tender heart and a large amount of compassion towards others
  138. over the years,
  139. I've learned so much about other cultures and just how special each difference is.
  140. Um, everyone's made in God's image and he loves each and every one of us.
  141. We are called to love his creation as he would. And this is why I am who I am.
  142. The unique cultures are a huge piece of God's beauty on display.
  143. It would honestly be pretty boring if we were all the same.
  144. And I also give my whole heart and everything I do. So I know I will do
  145. as much as I can to get to know my students and their families personally.
  146. Um,
  147. I will learn what makes them special and how to incorporate that into
  148. the classroom to give them the best chance at success that I can.