Write about your own identity addressing the following points:
1. Before you begin complete data research of the cultures that
are present in your local community. Briefly present your findings. Casey Creating the most Caring, Safe, Innovative and Sustainable City The City of Casey is 410 square kilometers in area and is located 35 kilometers to the south east of Melbournes central business district. Casey has five distinct geographic regions stretching from the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges to the coastal villages of Western Port Bay. The City of Casey is on the traditional land of the Bunerong and Wurundjeri people. More than 150 cultures are represented in Casey. 26.7 per cent of Casey residents were born in non-English speaking countries. The top five countries of birth of Casey residents (other than Australia) in 2011 were 1. United Kingdom (11,500 people) 2. India (10,300 people) 3. Sri Lanka (7,600 people) 4. New Zealand (6,000 people) 5. Afghanistan (4,400 people). Casey is home to 1,400 Indigenous people. 27.9 per cent of Casey residents speak English as a second language 2. Write about the historical events that have shaped your life, include the following points: a) Your environment and background and how this influences your identity. I am born and bought up in India. Parents and an elder brother who is my best friend. A tight knit family with extended family living close by. Didnt had many friends as my cousins were more than enough. We were always taught that family relationships are forever. We might have misunderstandings but we still must and should remain together. b) How your cultural background has influenced your:
Beliefs I am born Hindu a converted Christian
and reverted Muslim. I was always curious of so many religions existing and everyone having an argument who is right and wrong. In that quest, I have explored and read most of the religious books and understood and believe that no matter which religion or beliefs you follow it should always be for the betterment of humanity.
Values I value my family the most. I am blessed
with wonderful parents and an elder brother who has always taught me to work hard and never look for short cuts to get the better of life and always try to be supportive to each other irrespective of their beliefs.
Attitudes My attitude towards other beliefs is
when people try to prove they are right and all other beliefs are wrong, I feel they lack the bottom line of every belief that it is an identity which needs to be respected. Any belief which teaches things that are good for humanity are right. I strongly believe that a persons attitude towards his or her own belief should never provoke them in acting in any manner that harms or hurts the beliefs of any other person. My parents have given me that freedom to explore and independence when I chose to change my identity when I was married.
My identity changed on paper but my beliefs, values and attitudes
which are my identity still remain the same. c) How has this background affected your relationships with people from other cultures? Though I had very few friends other than my cousins in my family, we were always taught to respect and understand other cultures beliefs, values and aspects by our parents and teachers on a regular note. We lived in an apartment in India, where we had people from various backgrounds. We
celebrated various festivals from Pongal, Christmas, Bakrid,
Diwali etc with everyone in our building. I love cakes made in Christmas and Biryani during Bakrid. d) How has your background affected the way you interact with community members from other cultures? I feel comfortable with interacting people from various cultures as I have fair knowledge on the various books of beliefs which enable me to maintain my limit and also express my respect towards their beliefs.