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Becoming


An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the ...
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Who have been your role models? How are we shaped by the role models in our histories? How do we bring our own histories, cultures and experiences into spaces where they have never existed?

Created: 01/01/19

Replies: 3

Posted Jan. 01, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3444

Who have been your role models? How are we shaped by the role models in our histories? How do we bring our own histories, cultures and experiences into spaces where they have never existed?

Michelle Obama writes about the lives of people who influenced her world view as she entered her role as First Lady:

"I carried a history with me, and it wasn't that of presidents or First Ladies. I'd never related to the story of John Quincy Adams the way I did to that of Sojourner Truth, or been moved by Woodrow Wilson the way I was by Harriet Tubman. The struggles of Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King were more familiar to me than those of Eleanor Roosevelt or Mamie Eisenhower. I carried their histories, along with those of my mother and grandmothers. None of these women could ever have imagined a life like the one I now had, but they'd trusted that their perseverance would yield something better, eventually, for someone like me. I wanted to show up in the world in a way that honored who they were."

Who have been your role models?

How are we shaped by the role models in our histories?

How do we bring our own histories, cultures and experiences into spaces where they have never existed?


Posted Jan. 12, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: Who have been your role models? How are we shaped by the role models in our histories? How do we bring our own histories, cultures and experiences into spaces where they have never existed?

I have learned so much by watching how others behave, both positively and not-so-positively, and incorporating what seems to work into my own tool box. This was especially true during my years of corporate life where I benefitted from several very strong female role models who taught me skills in successful negotiation as well as how to build a fulfilling career. I think this observation of others is so critical in helping young people learn there are other ways to be and that they can help us generate successful outcomes.


Posted Jan. 13, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
terriej

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 422

RE: Who have been your role models? How are we shaped by the role models in our histories? How do we bring our own histories, cultures and experiences into spaces where they have never existed?

Observing how people treat people can teach you a lot. I have had role models and later find out that they have been cruel to others (ex. a server in a restaurant), which causes me to no longer consider them a role model. My role models tend to be every day people that I observe.


Posted Jan. 21, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
elise

Join Date: 04/22/11

Posts: 101

RE: Who have been your role models? How are we shaped by the role models in our histories? How do we bring our own histories, cultures and experiences into spaces where they have never existed?

My role models have also been my teachers, family , friends and coworkers. I appreciate how my cousin ages with great energy and how my daughter speaks her mind regardless of the consequences. I think most people probably do pick every day people because they are accessible.


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